Arthur Satyan

Arthur Satyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia in the family of leading Armenian Composers. His father introduced him to jazz and piano at the age of four. Not too long thereafter he won first prize in the Composition Competition between the local music schools, solidifying his decision to turn pro. At 20 he joined the Komitas Armenian National Higher Conservatory of Music (Composition Department) in Yerevan, where luckily, he was studying with Armenia's greatest musicians: Avet Terteryan (orchestration), Edward Mirzoyan and his uncle Aram Satyan (composition), Robert Atayan (Armenian music analysis), Edward Pashinyan (harmony), etc..and graduated in 1998. Yet anyone hearing him might have little idea that he is a product of the great old Soviet school of classical music. He has participated, awarded and won dozen composition competitions in former Soviet Union and all over the world, presenting all kinds of forms of music from classical to jazz: 'String Quartets'; 'Concerto for Cello and Chamber Orchestra'; 'Cycles for Piano (Variations on the melody)'; 'Sextet for Piano,Vibraharp and String Quartet'; to 'Suite” for Jazz Quartet'; 'Jazz Duets' and compositions for Jazz Big Band. Over the next several years Arthur developed into the city's top piano man, working with all kinds of combos and big bands. In the early '90s Arthur was strongly influenced by Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett. While still leaving in Yerevan he discovered be-bop, being strongly influenced by Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Barry Harris, etc.. In 1996 Arthur was invited to Beirut, Lebanon for the opening of the biggest casino in the Middle East "Casino Du Liban", where his band mates were Jack Gregg on bass, Steve Phillips on drums and Eric Schultz on guitar. Not too long after he records his first album 'ART for ART's sake' which is on sale in Lebanon and worldwide, being registered at CDBABY.com (#1 internet CD store worldwide for independent musicians) as one of top selling Neo-Bop albums during the year 2009. In 1998 Arthur was appointed to the faculty of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music in Beirut, where he currently holds the title of Professor of Classical Piano and Dean of Jazz Department. He designed the current jazz program in 'jazz studies'. Without any doubt Arthur is the most influential jazz educator in Lebanon. The result of his teachings and influence - "Arthur's School" - dozen musicians in the region. In Lebanon he worked frequently with Larry Coryell, Charles Davis, Ray Vega, Joe Lee Wilson, Melissa Walker, Phillip Manuel and Dizzy Gillespie's guitarist Ed Cherry. By 2003 his reputation as a performer and articulate teacher of both classical and jazz music, the quality of his arrangements, compositions and piano-playing has raised eyebrows among visiting stars from all over the world - like Larry Coryell, Alphonse Mouson, Steve Potts and Ahmad Jamal. He has also performed with trumpeter Tex Allen, saxophonists Matana Roberts, Salim Washington, Charles Owens; singer Deborah Davis; blues guitarist and vocalist Murali Coryell. On 2005's "Qatar Jazz Festival" and "Asian Games 2006" Arthur shared the stage with great Zakir Hussain. Arthur is also active in the Latin Jazz, Funk and Fusion styles. Since 2002 Arthur is performing and touring with his own multi-stylistic "A.S.T. - Arthur Satyan Trio". Recent Arthur's addition to his band was great percussion player Khaled Yassine. Arthur's latest projects were his "Organ Trio" and "Acoustic Ensemble". In Lebanon Arthur has worked with Julia Boutros, ending up with beautiful album "Bisaraha", where he played/co-arranged all the songs. He also played and partly arranged Ibrahim Jaber's album 'Faces'. Arthur is also in a long time collaboration with Charbel Rouhana, Rony Barrak and Soumaya Baalbaki. He also performs and records with famous Syrian band 'Itar Shameh'. Along with his band mates Basel Rajoub (sax), Fouad Afra (drums) and Omar Harb (bass) Arthur worked on Lena Chamamyan latest album (to be released soon) and Basel Rajoub's album "Khamir", putting his signature stamp on the music of both recordings. Arthur has composed music for theaters and movies. His last work was an album for writer Aline Saade - CD 'Kamashouyatoura' which is available in stores of MidEast and Gulf. In July 2013 Arthur released his 2nd album "ARTology" that is available at Virgin Megastores and all major internet stores like iTUNES, AMAZON, RHAPSODY, SPOTIFY, etc... Swing, Latin and modern-jazz rhythms reflects the land where streets and homes switch from Parker to Zawinul, Komitas to Shorter...and Arthur Satyan.