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Biography
Contemporary
jazz with world beat overtones aptly describes the music of Canadian/Armenian
multi-instrumentalist/composer Levon Ichkhanian. A third generation
musician and artist of great versatility, Levon is proficient on
the fretted and fretless guitars,oud, bouzouki and banjitar. Levon's
musical odyssey first took shape in Lebanon.
This
is how he describes it: "I had several monumental experiences
growing up which had a rich influence on me culturally and musically.
My Dad exposed me to jazz and continental music letting me sit in
during his band rehearsal, and as the musical director for shows,
the family would travel with him to places like Yemen, Jordan and
Cyprus.
Classical
and flamenco guitar music were introduced to me by my Uncles Joseph
and Jaques. Joseph would often host gatherings filled with musicians,
dancers and painters celebrating their art.
I
also have vivid memories of spending summer trips with my family
to the Northern part of Lebanon. At night there would be parties
filled with traditional Armenian and popular Arabic music (Adiss
and Fairuz were the favorites), dancing and lots of food that went
on until the small hours of the night.
These
experiences have influenced me profoundly in my music and in my
person, as I continue to further explore the future"
He
studied classical guitar under the direction of his uncle, Professor
Joseph Ichkhanian. At the age of twelve, his family immigrated to
Canada. One year later, he gravitated to the electric guitar and
began his professional performing career, playing in a band with
his jazz pianist father Edouard. Levons first professional
gig was at the age of 13 with Adiss, the pioneer modern Armenian
singer).
Levon's
talent was sufficiently recognized throughout his formative years
by various awards, most notably by the Canadian All Star Jazz Award
received at the age of sixteen. Private studies with many different
teachers followed suit, as did several scholarships, in particular
one bestowed by the Ontario Arts Council, granting him the opportunity
to attend workshops at the University of Toronto. Later, Levon had
the opportunity to study with world renowned musicians Pat Martino,
Jim Hall Steve Khan and Simon Shaheen.
Years
of study and practical experience behind him, Levon shares his knowledge
conducting World / Jazz Improvisation clinics, and has published
music articles in Guitar Player and Canadian Musician magazines,
to name a few.
Levon
has toured throughout Canada, the Middle East, Brazil and the United
States where he has played in clubs, concert halls and at international
festivals, such as Peter Gabriel's WOMAD, MIDEM (Cannes), Chet Atkins
Musicians Days Concerts (Nashville) and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
He has performed with Mark Egan, Danny Gottleib and Muriel Anderson,
along side Liona Boyd, and was featured in PizzaExpress' (London,
England) Guitar Masters Series, which included Birelli Lagrene,
Larry Coryell and Martin Taylor. He has toured throughout North
America and Europe with Peter Murphy (former frontman of the band
Bauhaus). Upon returning from A.R. Rahman's 3-D World Tour (with
featured artists Udit Narayan, Siva Mani, Shankar Mahadevan, Alka
Yagnic, Daler Mehndi and Hariharan) Levon is playing in the Toronto
stage production of The Lord of the Rings orchestra.
Levon's
extensive travels and love of global music have encouraged him to
share the stage with prominent artists from many different countries,
including Lebanon, Armenia, Brazil, Greece, India, Israel, South
America and Iran. A recipient of the Governor General of Canada's
acknowledgment for musical excellence, Levon has been recognized
as a musical ambassador to Canada.
His
career as a session guitarist has provided him with recording opportunities
for a wide variety of musical situations. He co-led a CD "Kick-n'
Jazz", with master drummer Bernard Pretty Purdie
(Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Jeff
Beck), has played on JUNO nominated projects, and recorded with
producer/composer Kenni Hairston (Vanessa Williams, Cyndi Lauper,
Freddie Jackson, Cameo), and recently recorded with Jolly Mukherjee
for singer/songwriter Hariharan from India. Levon is a featured
guest on the CDs of the Toronto Tabla Ensemble The Montuno Police
and Samba Squad (a thirty member percussion group).
Levon
has also branched out into the film world, scoring and performing
all instruments to the soundtrack of acclaimed Canadian filmmaker,
Atom Egoyan's "Looking for Nothing". His guitar playing
is featured on the soundtracks for films "You Can't Beat a
Woman" (by Gail Singer) and the Canadian Film Centre's "Hockey
Game". He has appeared on Bet on Jazz (the 24 Hour Jazz Station)
and has been featured on the CBC, TNN, TVO, CITY TV and Global Television.With
this wealth of experience, the decision to record a CD of his own
was inevitable. His debut, "after hours", blends Armenian/Middle
Eastern melodies with contemporary jazz, featuring instruments from
around the world, including the doudouk (Armenian wind instrument),
tabla, bouzouki, and accordion. Featured musicians include Grammy
award winners world renown artists John Patitucci (bass) and Paquito
D'Rivera (sax/clarinet). Distributed by Mediterrano Productions,
"after hours" was an Armenian Music Award nominee for
Best Jazz Album, and reached #1 Indie and Top 10 Jazz on HMV Charts.
Levons
follow up C.D. Travels winner of the best in jazz/fusion
category 2002 Armenian Music Awards is a collection of Levons
compositions encompassing styles from Middle Eastern to Brazilian
grooves and melodies, and features Alain Caron on fretless bass
and Ernie Tollar on Ney and Bansuri flutes. Levon is putting the
finishing touches on his next C.D. which will feature him playing
a multitude of ethnic stringed instruments in a variety of group
settings.
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