Jazz on
TWISTING ROAD
TWISTING ROAD
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JAZZ PASSED THROUGH HAKARI:
TIGRAN SUCHYAN SAVED MUSIC FROM THE SHELLING
JAZZ PASSED THROUGH HAKARI:
TIGRAN SUCHYAN SAVED MUSIC FROM THE SHELLING
On September 19, 2023, at 1:00 PM, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack on Nagorno-Karabakh, targeting cities and civilians with artillery fire. The next day, on September 20, a decision was made for a ceasefire, followed by the depopulation of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.
Photo by Davit Ghahramanyan
Photo by Davit Ghahramanyan
On September 25, 2023, five days after Azerbaijan's two-day attack, amidst the flow of heavy and conflicting information coming from Stepanakert, Tigran Suchyan's Facebook post appeared. The musician was asking for help to save the instruments of the Artsakh Jazz Band.
"Dear friends and kind people living in Artsakh, we are unable to transport some of the instruments of the Artsakh State Jazz Band to Yerevan. As the band leader, I am determined to continue our work here; these instruments are precious and very important to us. I know you have many other concerns and things to transport, but if anyone can help take a musical instrument across the border, I will meet you and be GRATEFUL. Wishing you all a safe journey."
IT’S A PITY I DIDN’T DARE
WRITE SOONER
WRITE SOONER
Trumpeter Tigran Suchyan had no practical ties with Artsakh before the 2020 44-day war. During the war, 30-40 children from Artsakh's music schools were relocated to Armenia. Tigran and his musician friends started working with the children, forming a group called "Artsakhikner" (Little Artsakhs). After the ceasefire on November 9, 2020, the children returned home.
On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack, using military and political support from Turkey and other allies. During the 44-day war, the Armenian side suffered 3,830 casualties and 195 missing persons. Azerbaijani forces captured major Armenian settlements, including Hadrut and Shushi.
Photo by Davit Ghahramanyan
Photo by Davit Ghahramanyan
The 44-day war ended with a tripartite statement on the "cessation of hostilities in Artsakh," signed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It involved a ceasefire, the handover of certain territories by Armenia to Azerbaijan, the exchange of prisoners, and communication routes.
Photo from the Artsakh Information Headquarters FB page
Photo from the Artsakh Information Headquarters FB page
Tigran visited them regularly, they played music
together and put together concerts sometimes.
together and put together concerts sometimes.
His efforts did not go unnoticed. In 2021, during one of his visits, Tigran was offered to lead another music group, the Artsakh Jazz Band.
The Artsakh State Jazz Band was established in 2004 in Stepanakert, bringing together a group of talented young people. Since November 2021, the band has been led by trumpeter and composer Tigran Suchyan.
Photo from the band's FB page
Photo from the band's FB page
Tigran says he felt responsible as a leader to keep the band together even after the displacement. And for that, they needed the instruments. He was amazed at how quickly the musicians organized themselves under such circumstances.
On September 19-20, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack on Artsakh, followed by the displacement of the Armenians of Artsakh starting from September 27. People from all the settlements of Artsakh moved to the capital–Stepanakert, and then traveled the 67-kilometer displacement road. During the three-to-four-day journey, 64 people died.
“
It’s a real pity I did not dare write sooner. I thought others would say–people need to bring essential items. What musical instruments?
Պատմում է Տիգրան Սուչյանը
Ինքնակազմակերպումը շատ արագ ստացվեց...
Our jazz band in its big band format consists of 18 musicians: 4 trumpeters, 4 trombones, 5 saxophones, percussion instruments, bass guitar, solo guitar, and a pianist. Trumpets are a bit smaller; you can just hang them on your shoulder and carry them all the way. Trombones are large instruments. We have four trombones, and we divided them among our friends to bring them. Many thanks to those people who found a place in their cars in such a difficult situation. And the saxophones, we have two alto saxophones, relatively smaller, the size of trumpets, two tenor saxophones, and one baritone saxophone. It's a big instrument. I don't know, I haven't seen the picture of the struggles they went through, but they organized themselves very quickly.
WE PLAYED NONSTOP FOR EXACTLY
5 DAYS FROM THE SECOND OR THE
THIRD DAY OF THEIR ARRIVAL
5 DAYS FROM THE SECOND OR THE
THIRD DAY OF THEIR ARRIVAL
The transportation logistics were organized via phone calls between Yerevan and Stepanakert. Tigran found a car and a driver from Yerevan, while the musicians from Artsakh covered a few kilometers on foot, carrying heavy instruments, to reach the car. Tigran still doesn’t understand how, for example, 17-year-olds Vagha and Aren found the mental and the physical strength to carry the heavy synthesizer from one end of the city to the other.
Պատմում է Տիգրան Սուչյանը
Տղերքի հետ մշտական կապի մեջ էի...
I was always in touch with the guys, especially the young guys, who were both organizing and physically doing the work. We were constantly in touch, and the most important thing was their health, that their lives weren't in danger. The instruments aside; but there is always that professional concern, you know? Do you have your instrument? Did you bring it? Did you manage to transport it?… That has always been there.
In the heavy traffic, along with taking essential items and loads of other things needed to be transported, the Artsakh Jazz Band managed to reach Yerevan with their instruments. Moreover, the musicians found the strength to take these instruments and play immediately after getting there.
Tigran notes: it was a crucial moment. Everyone around him was saying, “how do you even have the heart to play music? Well, we didn’t.”
Tigran notes: it was a crucial moment. Everyone around him was saying, “how do you even have the heart to play music? Well, we didn’t.”
Only a few refused to play though; 95% of the band was in favor. They started anew, dreaming of the concerts in Artsakh.
Now, Artsakh jazz is in the clubs and halls of Armenia.
Now, Artsakh jazz is in the clubs and halls of Armenia.
“
Music has such an interesting, magical quality in itself. No matter how bad you feel, it lifts you out of that state…
