Al di Meola in Yerevan
Artyom at iArarat sent me an email yesterday with a link to the web site of jazz guitarist Al di Meola which details two concerts he is set to give in Yerevan in a week’s time. I haven’t seen any posters in Yerevan, but there must be some as a forum has posted one. What’s unclear, however, is whether the first date is a solo concert or not. One post on the forum says Al di Meola will be a guest performer implying that he will play as part of a much larger concert.
However, the prominence given to his name on the poster suggests that it is a proper concert by Al di Meola and Arto Tuncboyacian.
He will also be taking part in another concert in Republic Square which will also feature Tuncboyacian and the Armenian Navy Band. Interestingly, Al di Meola already has links with jazz in the South Caucasus. In 1995 he played guitar on Azerbaijani jazz artist Aziza Mustafa Zadeh’s Dance of Fire, and Tuncboyacian has performed and recorded with him in the past, including on World Sinfonia: The Grande Passion. Last year, Al di Meola performed in Baku as part of his European tour.
What’s confusing, however, is that the Al di Meola web site says he will be preforming in Yerevan on 12-13 September, while the forum and the uploaded poster says 12 and 14 September. Does anyone have any more information on any of this? If so, please post a comment.
Al di Meola… why does that name sound so familiar?
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — September 8, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Um, because he’s one of the world’s greatest jazz guitarists?
Comment by Onnik — September 8, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
Onnik, guess you already know this link: http://armeniainfo.am/calendar/view.php?cur_month=9&cur_day=8&cur_year=2007&cur_month1=9&cur_day1=15&cur_year1=2007&combo=yes . Another source (VIP Arts Service, or better to say the omnipresent guy Sasha:-) ) cites the prices for the concert on the 14th: AMD 15.000-45.000.
Comment by Christina — September 8, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
Hi Christine,
I actually didn’t so thanks for that. Anyway, so it would seem that the sates 12 & 14 September are correct after all, and not 12 & 13 as listed on the Al di Meola web site. Also, the concert on 14 September is billed on that link as a Al di Meola and Arto Tuncboyacian concert which should be interesting as they’re very good together from the recordings I’ve heard.
Comment by Onnik — September 8, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
No, my friend, Django Reinhardt would kick Al Dimeola’s butt up and down and call him “Sissy”—with a few fingers disabled, even.
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — September 9, 2007 @ 4:56 am
Hmmm, Armen, shall I perhaps say world’s greatest LIVING jazz guitarist and the only one out of the two able to perform in Yerevan — and in fact anywhere else for that matter.
Comment by Onnik — September 9, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
Who is the guitarist of ANB?
Comment by vazgen — September 12, 2007 @ 3:06 am
Not sure. Can’t even remember there being one, to be honest.
Comment by Onnik — September 12, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
I went by the Republic Square last night right at the time when Al di Meola was performing, was nice really but we couldn’t hear it quite well because the sound of sunflower seeds cracking was even louder, people were all too indiferent which is sad….
but it was great, and i’m sure the date 14 is also correct and they’ll perform with Arto Tuncboyacian tomorrow, hope there are still tickets available…
Comment by Anush — September 13, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
Garo has an albeit small post on the concert last night as well, and makes the same point about the sound. The post is here.
Comment by Onnik — September 13, 2007 @ 5:09 pm