The Vahagn Hayrapetyan Quartet

— The quartet's founder and indispensable leader is Vahagn Hayrapetyan, a well-known pianist, composer, singer, and Merited Artist of Armenia.

A graduate of the Yerevan State Conservatory with a passion for jazz, Vahagn moved to the United States, where he honed his skills with bebop masters Barry Harris and Frank Hewitt as well as legendary jazz musicians like Elvin Jones, Jimmy Lovelace, Charles Davis, Leroy Williams, Zeid Nasser, Chris Byars, Yaala Ballin, Keith Balla, Jason and Delfeayo Marsalis, and many others.

Hayrapetyan recorded several albums in New Orleans, including Love for Sale with Clarence Johnson III, Trip to New Orleans with Johnny Vidakovic and Ed Wise, and Bop It Up with Wendell Brunious, Bruce Winston, Bill Huntington and Jason Marsalis.

Vahagn Hayrapetyan has performed frequently at major international jazz festivals such as the Jazz Jamboree, the St. Petersburg International Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and the Daphne du Maurier Festival in New Orleans.

In 2008, he was awarded the title of Merited Artist of Armenia. In 2010, Hayrapetyan released his first solo album "Singin'" and "Swingin'", as well as Strike Up the Band together with the New York — Yerevan jazz quartet.

Fans at the Koktebel Jazz Party will be treated to the exquisite sound and brilliant technique which have made Vahagn Hayrapetyan one of the most popular jazz musicians around. He will play with prominent New York jazz musicians Ari Roland (double bass), Zeid Nasser (alto saxophone), and Keith Balla (drums), who deserve their own introductions.

Keith Balla was born in Austin, Texas, and moved to New York in 2004. A student of renowned drummer and teacher Kenny Washington, he began performing professionally at the age of 17. Today, he tours the country and performs regularly with many young jazz musicians in New York. Now a seasoned professional, Keith is also in demand with the older generation of jazz musicians for his excellent accompaniment skills.

Balla gives percussion master classes for musicians of all levels in the United States and abroad. He frequently performs in US State Department-sponsored concerts in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and continues to record albums in New York.
Zeid Nasser was born in New York to a family of well-known jazz and blues singer Jamil Nasser. He grew up listening to the music of legendary jazz artists. When he turned 19, he moved to Memphis, the birthplace of blues, and played for two years with prominent guitarist Calvin Newborn. After returning to New York, he became the lead singer of the group Savoy Sultans, led by Panama Francis, and collaborated with eminent jazz organist Bill Doggett.

Zeid gives regular concerts in New York, and his albums are always well received by music critics. He frequently tours Europe, Asia, and the Middle East with his band and participates in events sponsored by the US State Department.

Ari Roland was also born in New York and by the age of 16 was already a recognized professional bassist. Educated at the Juilliard School, he has played with many renowned jazz musicians, including Barry Harris, Betty Carter, Lou Donaldson, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, and Harry Connick Jr.

All three albums recorded by his band were well received by foreign jazz publications. He has traveled extensively as a member of the State Department-sponsored Jazz Messengers program, visiting 35 countries in five years and giving 86 concerts. Currently, together with Chris Byars he heads the Bi-Communal Jazz Futures program at the US Embassy in Cyprus.