When
a ten-year-old boy in war-torn Armenia confidently told his piano
teacher that he would one day play with jazz and gospel celebrities, she
instantly shot down his ambitions. But the boy remained steadfast and undeterred and responded defiantly with the words: “Mark this day on your calendar because one day it will happen for me.” In the intervening years between those early piano lessons and the recording of this album, Vahagn was classically trained in composition, and learned the art of production.
He started selling songs to Armenian artists and playing in jazz clubs in his native country, but learned hard-earned business music lessons by being paid only four dollars if paid at all. Vahagn was given a saxophone which he promptly sold to buy a computer so that he could learn how to arrange songs. During a visit to the USA in 2009, he was encouraged by the response to his masterful keyboard skills. Four years later, difficult circumstances meant that he didn't even have a keyboard to practice on. Still, he persevered. Flash forward to the present, a year and a half after moving his family to Los Angeles to realize his dream, keyboardist Vahagn Stepanyan surrounded himself with world-class Grammy-winning musicians, producers and engineers to record his sophomore album, featuring the aptly titled 'A New Chapter'.
Vahagn composed and arranged eight songs for the jazz fusion collection that came out on May 19. He was joined by guest artists such as 11-time Grammy-winning trumpeter Philip Lassiter (Prince, Ariana Grande), Grammy-nominated guitarists Greg Howe and Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy, platinum-selling saxophonist Dave Koz, bassist Ida Nielsen (Prince), powerhouse drummer Eric Moore and other experienced players.
On the complex opener 'Synergy', which is also the first single out, you can hear saxophonist Dave Koz, after which Mark Lettieri supports Vahagn's vocal work with fiery guitar work on the fast 'Without Limits'. Ida Nielsen's bass lines open 'Motion', with Roy Ziv's electric guitar. On 'Gravity', guitarist Greg Howe and trumpeter Philip Lassiter come to the fore, and Eric Moore's drums dominate 'So Good', alongside keyboards by Vahagn, guitar solo by Feodor Dosumoy and bass by Melvin Lee Davis (Chaka Kahn, Lee Ritenour, George Benson, Gerald Albright). The slightly Latin tinted 'Toy' is accompanied by Brazilian drummer Cleverson Silva and Venezuelan bassist Isai Romero. The explosive 'Revolution' is supported by Wojtek Pilichowski's bass and Dosumoy's guitar playing. To conclude, Vahagn opted for a solo piece and that became 'Hold My hand', a track with contemplative, poetic and cinematic beauty.
Vahagn knew the process of recording this album would be transformative, and he documented the sessions in a five-part video series along with a teaser video that summarizes the short documentary series. Each episode takes viewers into the recording studio and captures the musicians talking about making the album. As much as Stepanyan exudes respect and reverence for the virtuoso musicians at the heart of the project, they equally reflect admiration and praise for the prodigious skills of the keyboardist-pianist.
A remarkable achievement in production, arranging, songwriting and musicality. Vahagn concludes with the words: “I still have goals to reach. Mostly, I want people to recognize me not only as a jazz musician but as someone who writes and produces pop, R&B, soul, lo-fi, funk and gospel music as well as film soundtracks. If you have a dream, set your goals and go for it without any excuses. Never give up. Believe in yourself. Keep focused on your passion, work hard and invest in your future.”
You certainly succeeded Vahagn!
Tracks:
Without Limits
Motion
Gravity
So Good
Toy
Revolution
Hold My Hand
Vahagn Stepanyan