Albert Asriyan
Encyclopedia
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
and band leader.
Childhood
Albert Asriyan was born in BakuBaku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, Azerbaijan SSR
Azerbaijan SSR
The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Azerbaijan SSR for short, was one of the republics that made up the former Soviet Union....
on June 28, 1951 to an Armenian
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
family, as the first of three children. Albert's father, Mikhail Asriyan was a circus administrator and his mother, Sirvart Karnezian-Asriyan, a housewife. Growing up in a tough neighborhood in Baku, Albert was enrolled in music school at age 7 where he majored in classical violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and classical piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. After graduating from music school with honors at age 15, in 1966 Albert was accepted to the Azerbaijan State Musical College Asaf Zeinally, where he majored in classical violin and piano.
During his studies at Zeinally, Albert developed a love for jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. Purchasing bootleg copies of jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
, Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
, Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
, Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
, Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, and performing at local gigs in youth music group Chaika (English: Seagull), as well as in Volshebniye Zvuki (English: Magic Sounds). At the same time, Albert picked up the guitar and began studying by listening to Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
.
In 1971, Albert entered the Baku Academy of Music
Baku Academy of Music
The Hajibeyov Baku Academy of Music is a music school in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was established in 1920 in Baku and was previously known as the Hajibeyov Azerbaijan State Conservatoire.-History:...
majoring in classical violin and minoring in piano/music composition. His talent as a composer and arranger always found use in conservatory "Kapustnik" (English: Musical Comedy Club). During his years at the conservatory, Albert also played on the conservatory basketball team. Graduating in 1976, Albert began his professional career.
Career in Baku
After graduating from the conservatory, Albert joined the USSR Navy where he became a part of the Orchestra of the Red Banner Caspian Navy as a violinist and guitarist. In 1977 Albert was invited to be part of the Jazz Band of the Philharmonic Society of Baku in the groups Sevgilim (English: Loved one) and AzConcert's "Ashugi" (English: Poets in Love). During his time with Sevgilim and Ashugi, Albert performed all over Azerbaijan and other republics of the Soviet Union. Aside from Soviet music, the groups performed many popular foreign songs such as that of James BrownJames Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
and Chick Corea
Chick Corea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever...
, despite controversy and strict disapproval of the music committee.
With his close friends and colleagues Elkhan Shikhaliev saxophonist/composer/arranger/vocalist, Siyavush Kerimi oud/keyboars, Rauf Sultanov bass, Ramin Sultanov drums, Mukhtar Yakhyayev keyboards, Yuriy Tagiev vocals, Karen Avanesyan (entertainer, comedian, actor) and other musicians Albert toured all over the USSR.
Albert's success continued to grow, and from 1979-1983 he was one of the first violins of Azerbaijan Radio and TV Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Ramiz Melik Aslanov. During this time he also performed with several pop-groups and was the band leader of group Bakinskiye Devushki (English: Girls of Baku) where in 1979 he met his future wife Ivetta Mirzoyan, a singer and guitarist of the girls group. Albert and Ivetta went on to play together in pop-group Muleili. On April 21, 1980 Albert and Ivetta were married. On Albert's birthday in 1983, Ivetta and Albert had a daughter, Julie Anna.
In 1983 Albert was invited by famous composer and singer Polad Byul-Byul Ogli to be an arranger and keyboard player for the pop/folk group Ashugi.
From 1984-1989 Albert was the arranger/ keyboarding/ violinist/ jazz vocalist of the State Orchestra Gaya (English: Mountain), conducted by Teymur Mirzoyev. Within Gaya formed a rock-group Talisman where Albert and his friend Elkhan Shikhaliev wrote and performed most of their compositions. Albert was the artistic leader of the group up to August, 1989. Talisman became a very well known and successful band, performing at the XII World Festival of Youth and Students
World Festival of Youth and Students
The World Festival of Youth and Students is an international event, organized by the World Federation of Democratic Youth , a left-wing youth organization, jointly with the International Union of Students since 1947....
in Moscow-1985. In 1986 Albert with "Gaya" and "Talisman" traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan to perform for the Soviet troops fighting in the war. The band also performed at major events such as the Rock Panorama of Baku-1988, Concert for the USSR government at Republic Concert Hall-Lenin Sarai in Baku, The State Central Concert Hall Russia in Moscow, Column Hall of the House of Unions at the Kremlin
Kremlin
A kremlin , same root as in kremen is a major fortified central complex found in historic Russian cities. This word is often used to refer to the best-known one, the Moscow Kremlin, or metonymically to the government that is based there...
, as well as all over the country and outside.
Albert's love for jazz and R&B music strongly reflected on his song writing. His favorite foreign bands, Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
, Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American soul and R&B band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969 by Verdine and Maurice White. Also known as EWF, the band has won six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards. They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of...
, Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears is an American music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles...
, Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
, The Eagles and the Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
, were a great influence on his compositions. Albert also loved the music and styling of Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau
Alwin "Al" Lopez Jarreau is a seven-time Grammy Award winning jazz singer.- Background :Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, the fifth of six children. His web site refers to Reservoir, Inc., the name of the street where he lived. His father was a Seventh-Day Adventist Church minister and singer, and...
, George Benson
George Benson
George Benson is a ten Grammy Award winning American musician, whose production career began at the age of twenty-one as a jazz guitarist....
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
and Gino Vannelli
Gino Vannelli
Gino Vannelli is an Italian-Canadian singer, songwriter, musician and composer.-Early years:Born in Montreal, Quebec, Vannelli is one of three sons born to Russ and Delia Vannelli. Russ, his father, was a big band musician. As a child, Gino's greatest passion was music, and he began playing...
. Albert's song writing gained popularity and his song Bez Tebya (English: Without You), to which Ivetta wrote the lyrics, was performed at the 1987 International Music Festival in Jūrmala
Jurmala
Jūrmala is a city in Latvia, about 25 kilometers west of Riga. Jūrmala is a resort town stretching and sandwiched between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River...
. The video to his song "Kuvshin" (English: Vase), directed by Sevinc Kerimova, became one of the first music videos to hit television in Azerbaijan and former USSR. Albert's songs were performed on major television programming. Bez Tebya was performed at the New Year's Eve Celebrations of 1987-1988 in Baku and Fakir performed at the Song of the Year Annual Contest of USSR in Baku, 1987. His song " 80 thousand roses" was performed by Talisman at concerts and patriotic festivals in memory of World War 2. Albert was also the composer and performer for Azerbaijan TV Show Molodejnaya Estrada in 1979-1982 (English: Youth Stage ) as well as for televised concert of Masters of Arts of Azerbaijan of 1988-1989. His song Kuvshin was the closing number.
Career in Moscow
In 1989, due to civil conflict in Baku and after several attacks from the Azeri extremists, fearing for the well-being of his family, Albert was forced to abandon his home and career and escaped with family to Moscow, both with the help of his Armenian and Azeri friends.With the loss of his career and friends in his former homeland, Albert was deeply affected both personally and professionally. However, Albert was able to develop the strength to re-build his career and support his family. From 1989 to 1993 Albert Asriyan and family resided in Moscow, Russia. Upon invitation of his childhood friend and colleague, composer Boris Vishnevkin, Albert became a part of the Jewish group Shabas and performed all over the former USSR. Together they recorded an album in Moscow. Albert performed as a solo performer with his own violin show for various events and performed Armenian folk music with other musicians. On December 25, 1990 Albert and Ivetta had their second daughter, Kristina.
After the fall of the USSR, the people of the Caucasus became "foreigners" in Moscow and became targets of attacks. In 1992, Albert was arrested with keyboard case in hand as a "face of Caucasus" as he was returning home from a gig. At the police station, he was released with the explanation that his keyboard case was mistaken for a machine gun. Albert's wife Ivetta and children were repeatedly verbally attacked and called "blacks" for their non-native Russian features. Albert's family was once again forced to relocate. While in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Albert and his whole extended family applied for an entry to the USA as refugees. The family was granted entry in 1993.
Career in USA
On July 13, 1993 Albert and family arrived in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Relying on his musical talent, knowledge of American music
Music of the United States
The music of the United States reflects the country's multi-ethnic population through a diverse array of styles. Among the country's most internationally-renowned genres are hip hop, blues, country, rhythm and blues, jazz, barbershop, pop, techno, and rock and roll. The United States has the...
, and the help of his friend Boris Vishnevkin and drummer Emil Rappaport, Albert began to re-build his career from scratch. Albert and Ivetta began to study English at a local school and he landed his first working gig at a local restaurant/club, Kavkaz (English: Caucasus). Developing popularity among the Russian-speaking community in the US, Albert performed along with Boka - Boris Davidian (vocalist), Karen Avanesyan (comedian, actor) and Igor Mirzoyan (clarinet) - when they were visiting the USA.
Albert became involved with the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, volunteering to be the musical entertainment for all Church events. As part of the committee of the Russian-Armenian Church community, Albert directed the musical programs, concerts, and child/adult performances. Under the direction of Albert, the youth church group performed at several events, representing the Armenian culture at live annual festivals such as NYANA-New York Association for New Americans
New York Association for New Americans
The New York Association for New Americans was a UJC agency for refugee assistance located on the Battery in New York City.NYANA was founded in 1949 as a local arm of the Jewish United Service for New Americans to assist in the resettlement of refugees from the Holocaust coming to the USA in the...
, Summer Armenian Festivals in New Rochelle, at St. Nersess Seminary, NY, St.Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York, NY, Holy Martyrs Armenian Church Bayside Queens, NY, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in New Jersey, and many more. Albert was awarded numerous Certificates of Appreciation from the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.
In 1996 Albert created his own entertainment program, Albert's Show Orchestra, consisting of Albert Asriyan (artistic leader, violinist, vocalist, keyboardist, arranger, composer), his wife, Ivetta Asriyan (vocalist, songwriter), Robert Toniev (vocalist, keyboardist), Levon Mnatsakanian (vocalist), Arthur Gesiyan (guitar), Lev Yelisavetski (vocalist/keyboard), Eduard Kurchakov (saxophone), Isabelle-Bella Khanuka (vocalist) as well as other musicians. In 2000, Albert's daughters Julie Anna and Kristina, whom Albert had enrolled in music studies since childhood, joined Albert's Show Orchestra.
As Albert's reputation and popularity grew in the US, he was invited to perform at private and public events all over the states. His half-hour solo violin performance Albert's Show became a staple of major celebrations in the tri-state area.
Due to the nature of music business instability, Albert often had to search for new job opportunities. He worked at several well known Russian clubs/restaurants in Brooklyn.
In 2000, Albert suffered a major setback, when his musical instruments and stage equipment burned in a restaurant fire in Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach is an oceanside neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. As of 2000, it has a population of 75,692 with a total of 31,228 households.-Location:...
, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. The fire destroyed Albert's beloved old Italian handmade violin, on which he had played since youth. Albert also lost his array of music recordings, music books, lyrics and notes. Albert once again searched for a new job. With the help of friends and family, he was able to purchase new instruments, keyboards, violins, and stage equipment; returning to the stage soon after.
Albert's involvement in music continued to evolve. From 2000, he worked as a violin and guitar teacher at the International Children's Center For Performing Arts in Brooklyn, NY as well as a private teacher. He also worked as a consultant and arranger/composer for children's string orchestra conducted by his sister Ruzanna Akopjan (Russian: Рузанна Акопджан), in New Jersey. Albert was also the arranger/songwriter/music consultant for Allegretto Music and Art Studio run by his sister in law Ida Melik-Mirzakhan (Russian: Ида Мелик-Мирзахан); with whom he wrote several songs.
In 2005, Albert and Ida composed a requiem A moment of Silence to the lyrics of his niece Victoriya Melik-Mirzakhan and poetry of Ivetta and Ida's father Alexandr J. Mirzoyan. The requiem was performed by Ivetta (vocals), Igor Mirzoyan (clarinet and Armenian duduk), and Karine Kocharyan (Armenian poetry reading). Ardzagank Armenian TV created a video to the requiem which was broadcast nationally. The requiem was a dedication to Ida's son and Albert's nephew Alexander, who was killed in an automobile accident at age 20 in 2003.
Albert dedicated a great amount of time to the development of his daughters' musical careers. Enrolling them into multiple music and art schools for music, dance and the performing arts. His daughter Kristina's musical talent and interest grew into a family endeavour. Albert worked at his home studio on creating her music demo, writing several songs for her album and competitions. Albert and Ivetta's song Zvezdopad (Russian: Звездопад, English: Star Falls) performed by Kristina was entered into the Russian-American song-writing competition Moya Pesnya (Russian: Моя Песня, English: My Song) broadcast on Russian-American TV station RTVI and Russian Davidzon Radio Station in 2006. Albert and Ivetta's hard work paid off and Kristina was named 1st place winner and 2006 Artist of the Year of the Our Talented Children competition (Russian: Конкурс Наши Талантливые Дети). Albert accompanied Kristy at her solo performance of Summertime
Summertime (song)
"Summertime" is an aria composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based, although the song is also co-credited to Ira Gershwin by ASCAP....
, by George Gershwin, at the Merkin Concert Hall
Merkin Concert Hall
Merkin Concert Hall is a 449-seat concert hall in Manhattan, New York City. The hall, named in honor of Hermann and Ursula Merkin, is part of the Kaufman Center, a complex that includes the Lucy Moses School, a community arts school, and the Special Music School , a New York City public school for...
at Kaufman Center in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, on March 25, 2007. Albert and Ivetta released several albums of their own music as well as Russian and Armenian music, including violin classics of Albert's Show, which were quickly distributed among the Russian-Armenian community in the tri-state area.
On November 22, 2007 Albert was invited to Davidzon Radio Station- program Karavan for their Thanksgiving Day celebration to talk about his life and career and discuss his past music accomplishments and future plans. The one-hour program broadcast several of his talents as a violinist, composer, arranger and teacher. Due to his popularity within the Russian community dating back to his career in Baku, many fans and colleagues called in to remark on his talent and great personality.
Death
Less than a week from his radio interview, on November 27, 2007, Albert became ill and was taken to the Coney Island HospitalConey Island Hospital
Coney Island Hospital is a public hospital located in Brooklyn, New York City. It is owned by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.-History:...
in Brooklyn, NY. Albert Asriyan died at 2 a.m on November 28, 2007. Albert's life and career ended abruptly. He died as his career as a great performer and talented teacher was rising. His passing was a shock to his family, friends, students and fans. He was 56.
The New York Daily News published an article about Albert Asriyan on December 7, 2007, reflecting on his life and contribution to music.