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  • Music: Arshak Sirunyan Releases "Hoodman's Blind", a Stylish &

    DigitalJournal.com
    Feb 2 2014

    Arshak Sirunyan (Producer & Featured Artist) Releases `Hoodman's
    Blind', a Stylish & Multifaceted Musical Journey Through The
    Imagination Of a Gifted Composer & Musician.

    PRWEB.COM Newswire
    Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 02, 2014


    It may be early in the year, but pianist/composer Arshak Sirunyan's
    Hoodman's Blind is likely to be one of the most unique and compelling
    releases in 2014. The Armenian born musician was a finalist in that
    country's prestigious National J. S. Bach Concerto Competition in
    1994. Now a Washington DC resident, he has assembled a top-tier
    ensemble of award-winning artists from around the globe in creating
    this transformative collection of genre-defying compositions.

    Inspired by the medieval predecessor of the game `Blindman's Bluff',
    Arshak has woven a tale that creatively captures the strategy and
    visceral emotions of the earlier, and far more raucous, version of the
    game. Arshak efficiently captures the rollercoaster of emotions as he
    reimagines the game on a grander and more dangerous level.

    Adding to overall experience of Hoodman's Blind is multi-media aspect
    of the project including the reproduction of paintings from the UK,
    Turkey, Serbia, South Africa, China and US. The CD's beautifully
    rendered insert features original art by Lin Chen (Siege Warfare),
    Onur Bakar (I'm Cold), Gloria Scholik (The Mirror), Vuk Kostic (Army),
    Lily Coulombe (Jester) and Ben Andrews (Market Day).

    THE LINEUP

    Bassist Cheikh Ndoye serves double-duty on Hoodman's Blind acting as
    the album's Associate Producer. A regular collaborator with Arshak,
    the synergy and shared vision comes through in every track.

    Hoodman's Blind also features the talents of Eric Marienthal a former
    member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band who played on two of their
    multiple Grammy award winning albums. He has also performed with a
    number of industry giants including Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie
    Wonder, Aaron Neville, The Rippingtons, and The Yellowjackets.

    Saxophonist and composer Bob Franceschini performed on Mike Stern's
    Grammy Nominated album Voices and has appeared as a sideman on scores
    of recordings from pop luminaries such as Paul Simon and Celine Dion
    and Latin stars Willie Colón, Tito Puente, and Eddie Palmieri.

    Guitartist Chieli Minucci is best known as leader of the
    Grammy-nominated Special EFX. In addition, he has performed with pop
    artists such as Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, and Jessica
    Simpson. Minucci's also has a rich jazz history recording and
    performing with Jay Beckenstein , Marion Meadows, Gerald Veasley and
    Bob Baldwin, among others. In addition, Minucci has earned several
    Emmy Awards for his extensive work in television.

    Drummer Raul Pineda is another Grammy winner with a 2000 award for
    Best Latin Jazz Performance with the Chucho Valdés Quartet album, Live
    at the Village Vanguard. In addition, Pineda has been nominated for
    three additional Grammys.

    Armenian singer, percussionist , multi-instrumentalist and Grammy
    winner Arto Tunçboyacıyan has worked with jazz legends such as Joe
    Zawinul, Chet Baker, Paul Winter and Al Di Meola. His diverse musical
    offerings have also been featured on two motion picture soundtracks.

    Drummer John Lamkin III, an East Coast fixture has worked with Dexter
    Gordon, Lionel Hampton, Roy Hargrove, and Kenny Garrett to mention
    just a few. He shares the drumming role with Omar Hakim who has long
    worked across the genres of jazz, fusion and pop performing with
    vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, singer Carly Simon, Weather Report and
    Sting. Hakim supplied much of the drumming for Mark Knopfler's Dire
    Straits' album Brothers in Arms and has worked in American television
    as well.

    Likely the most familiar name in the Hoodman's Blind lineup is that of
    jazz guitar great, Mike Stern. Prior to his stellar solo career, Stern
    had played with famed pop group Blood, Sweat & Tears, drummer Billy
    Cobham and, most notably, Miles Davis. Stern has won numerous awards
    and in 2009 was ranked on Down Beat's list of 75 best jazz guitarists.

    Rounding out the international roster of performers are The Vardanyan
    Quartet, Artyom Manukyan (cello) and Artur Yeghiazaryan (tav shvi),
    Arshavir Isahakyan (French Horns) and Albert Ordinyan(Doumbek).

    THE MUSIC

    It's clear from the opening piece, Preface, that Hoodman's Blind is
    something different. Dark and brooding, it creates an air of mystery
    only to be shattered by the primordial rock beat of Valor & Triumph.
    As the piece progresses it's augmented by the lush strings of the
    Vardanyan Quartet and Chieli Minucci's searing guitar.

    The tribal chant of Celebration adroitly captures the spirit of the
    title while further leading down the imagined paths that built into
    the suite-like nature of Hoodman's Blind. In this otherworldly swirl
    of musical styles there are themes that seem to circle back to their
    origins and then adventurously breakaway again.

    Not content to settle into any one style, a bit of chamber-psychedelia
    emerges on The Dawn is Promised before The Warrior Song returns to a
    rock element but this time with subtle touches of Armenia folkloric
    themes. Arshak's arrangement of Ashot Satyan's tune breathes new life
    into the piece. There are more straight-ahead jazz pieces interwoven
    in the diverse mix of compositions as well but among the standouts are
    Messenger a stellar fusion accomplishment and Imperfect Pearl, a
    beautiful, soaring ballad.

    Among the other stylistic variations that bring the global nature of
    Hoodman's Blind to life are King's Fool, a funky kaleidoscope of
    shifting momentum and Old Market, a piece that is both innocent and
    rollicking. Arshak's piano and Artur Yeghiazaryan's Armenian woodwinds
    create an organic hybrid with a life of its own.

    Hoodman's Blind is a high-energy, totally engaging outing and these
    highly receptive musicians clearly share in Arshak's mission. The
    group retains the energy and individualism inherent in these
    uncompromising modern works. Hoodman's Blind is a strong and inventive
    collection that is sure to win Arshak a loyal following. The story,
    the music and the graphics create an unforgettable story.


    RELEASE DATE: MARCH 2, 2014
    http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1516707619/arshak-hoodmans-blind

    Karl Ackermann
    All About Jazz, February 2014

    Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/02/prweb11502987.htm
    http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1715090

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