Tigran Martikyan

Before Tigran started studying piano in his native Armenia, he began to teach himself accordion when he was seven years old. He later took up cello, and was admitted to The Tigran Chukajian Music School, where he studied cello with Tiruhi Sargisian. After three years, he began to study piano as a secondary instrument under the guidance of Kathia Sahakian. He was soon honored with an unprecedented invitation to perform at the school's piano concert. By the time he graduated from the Chukajain School in 1988, Tigran had for many years, since the age of twelve, been playing accordion professionally all over Armenia. When he was sixteen, Tigran immigrated to the United States, and won 2nd prize in a song writing competition sponsored by the Los Angles Inner City Cultural Community Center that same year. Although he was first enthralled by jazz while watching a 'live from Moscow' telecast of Dave Brubeck as a boy, Tigran didn't get serious about jazz until taking a few courses in the subject as a 20 year old music student at Los Angles City College. Recognition of his talent grew rapidly. Within a year, he had formed his own trio, and was soon performing in night clubs all around his adopted city. In 1998, he won 1st prize at the Hilton Head Jazz Society Scholarship Competition, and was one of five finalists at the 19th Annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival Piano Competition. In 2002, Tigran placed 2nd at the Fourth International Jazz Soloist Competition in Monaco, and was selected as semifinalist at the Martial Solal Jazz International Piano Competition in Paris. He has studied piano with Garry Dial, Shelton Berg, Bill Cunliffe, Milcho Leviev and Laszlo Cser. His plans for the future include both film and theater projects.