DATEVIK HOVANESIAN

”Listen to the Heart of Armenia, Listen to Datevik”
That is how the legendary composer Michel Legrand expressed his emotions after he listened to Datevik Hovanesian’s music.

Datevik, the daughter of the Queen of Armenian Folk song Ophelia Hambartsumian, is a master of improvisation. Following her mother’s career path, being raised in a musical family, she chose jazz as her medium of communication but was never cut off from her roots. Datevik and her fabulous Quartet will perform arrangements of Armenian folk songs that are unique; blending centuries old traditional melodies and multicultural elements with unprecedented innovations in jazz techniques and singing. The mixture is absolutely beautiful and makes the experience intense and refreshing in the world of free jazz and improvised music. Datevik gives a fresh voice to Komitas and Armenian folk music in a jazz medium, by staying extremely honest and true to roots of centuries old music and culture.
Datevik’s music will touch the heart and spirit of the listener, independent of their age or nationality. “I never thought I would like jazz so much” is a common response by the audience attending Datevik’s concert for the first time. “I never knew where Armenia was, until she introduced us to this beautiful culture” is another common response by non-Armenian audiences who listened to her live in Sydney, Australia or Montreal, Canada.