Miqayel
Voskanyan
Improvisational Armenian tar player, composer and vocalist creating a distinctive sound in jazz and world music
Biography.
Miqayel Voskanyan is an improvisational Armenian tar player, composer, bandleader and vocalist based in Armenia creating a distinctive sound in jazz and world music through his innovative performance and original compositions.
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He presents a new perspective on the national Armenian instrument by positioning it as a solo and lead instrument beyond traditional folk orchestras and applying innovative performance techniques through multigenre compositions in both solo and group performances.
Throughout his career, he has formed and led more than five music bands, including Armenia's leading and award-winning ethno-fusion and alternative jazz band active since 2011- the MVF Band, achieving global acclaim in over 30 countries.
His dedication to advancing Armenian music has led him to modernize the Armenian tar, which had remained unchanged for over a century, bringing new dimensions to its sound and appeal.
UNESCO Paris.
Miqayel was the first tar player to perform in UNESCO Hall in Paris. With over 100 original and arranged compositions, Miqayel’s work has been performed across more than 40 countries, on stages at international festivals, and in film scores.
His music in both solo and group performances has captivated audiences at other prestigious venues and festivals, such as Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, MIDEM Festival in Cannes, Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Royce Hall at UCLA, the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Jordan Hall in Boston, the John Anson Ford Theatre, and other stages across Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East, and beyond.
Collaborative performances with esteemed musicians, including Jamie Hadad, Marcus Printup, Mike Block, Lenny White, Joe Lowano, Randy Brecker further highlight his commitment to fostering cross-cultural musical dialogue.
As a film composer, Miqayel has enriched cinematic experiences through film scoring for short films and animation movies, garnering acclaim including and not limited to two notable nominations at prestigious film festivals for film composing.
250km (2022) | Official trailer (HD)
Social and educational projects.
Miqayel Voskanyan is committed to fostering global appreciation for Armenian music. He conducts educational and interactive workshops during his tours, sharing his knowledge at institutions like TUMO and COAF in Armenia, as well as internationally at UCLA, the University of New Mexico, the New England Conservatory, and through programs such as Silkroad’s Global Musician Workshop. His workshops offer insights into the history, artistry, and cultural significance of Armenian music and instruments, positioning them as living traditions in contemporary music education.
Miqayel Voskanyan is the founder and leader of Armenia's leading alternative jazz and ethno-fusion band, active since 2011.
“Dynamic, Exhilarating, Haunting New Armenian Sounds” — New York Music Daily
'Best Band of the Year' at the 2013 Radio Van Music Awards
'Best Jazz Band' at the 2017 Tsitsernak National Music Awards
MVF Band is a folk jazz and ethno-fusion ensemble known for intertwining ancient folk idioms with progressive arrangements and original compositions.
Many observers have described the band as an ensemble that dared to challenge conventional thinking on the cross-pollination of Eastern and Western sounds and genres. MVF Band has been described as “magical... haunting... and exhilarating” by the New York Music Daily.
The band has performed on world-known stages like the Royce Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Ford Theatre (Hollywood, CA), as well as in festivals including and not limited to MIDEM in France and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Centering the 11-string long-necked tar, Miqayel Voskanyan’s quintet draws on polyphonic roots, global rhythms, funk, jazz’s tight grooves, and improvisational play.
In February-March, 2023, MVF Band was selected to participate in the Center Stage, the cultural exchange program produced through a public-private partnership between the U.S.
Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the New England Foundation for the Arts. The band toured in Washington DC, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Santa- Fe, Albuquerque, and New York, performing and teaching in esteemed stages (Royce Hall by CAP UCLA, Kennedy Center, etc) and educational centers (UCLA, New Mexico University, Indian-American Community of New Mexico, etc.)
Discography.
![Chinar es, Komitas by Miqayel Voskanyan [Live]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nSpcXXy03J8/maxresdefault.jpg)
Get in touch.
Feel free to reach out to Miqayel Voskanyan's team with any questions or comments. He would love to hear from you!
For collaboration and booking, reach out to Miqayel Voskanyan's management team at Oberton: obertonmusic@gmail.com
Lusine Voskanyan
Artist Manager, Founding CEO of Oberton
lusine.bm@gmail.com
(+374) 93326660
@lusin.artsakhee.voskanyan
