Areni Agbabian

A singer and pianist of Armenian origin, Areni Agbabian was born in Santa Monica, California, and began playing the instrument at an early age, learning traditional songs and tales from her mother, a storyteller and folklorist, and her aunt, who trained in opera singing. After studying piano and singing, she worked on her vocal improvisations and moved to New York in 2008, where she frequented the jazz and experimental scene. Noticed the following year by pianist Tigran Hamasyan, she joined his quintet, recording and touring across Europe. She sings on the albums Aratta Rebirth (2011) and Shadow Theater (2013). The following year, Areni Agbabian released her first self-produced solo album, Kissy(Bag), on which she sings and plays all the instruments. Thanks to a grant from the Gulbenkian Foundation, the musician studied Armenian liturgical chant in France with professors Aram and Virginia Kerovpyan. On her return to the United States, she settled in Los Angeles and signed with the ECM label, which released the album Bloom (2019), recorded in 2016 with percussionist Nicolas Stocker. This all-round artist has also worked with Sean Sonderegger, José Gurria and Alex Cline.

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