TJF Opening Party - Armen Donelian Quartet

come get in the mood with some more live jazz and cocktails at the Century Room! Doors open at 5pm with live music starting at 6pm. Free General Admission to Tucson Jazz Festival members!

About The Artist

Armen trained as a concert pianist at the Westchester Conservatory of Music in White Plains, NY with director Michael Pollon. "Michael was my second father, for music," Donelian recalls. His studies lasted for twelve years and included regular solo recitals and several concertos with local symphonies, culminating in a 1968 graduation recital featuring works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and Prokofiev.

Armen Donelian broke into the Jazz world with Santamaria's vibrant Afro-Cuban Jazz octet. Several North American tours and recordings ensued, including Santamaria's Afro-Indio and Sofrito which includes three Donelian compositions and was nominated for a 1976 Grammy Award as the Best Latin Jazz Album. Donelian also performed on Mongo and Justo and A La Carte.