*“It was recorded live,” said Jazz keyboardist Vahagn Stepanyan about the music video for his new single “Synergy” that premiered in Times Square. “When you are working with these extraordinary talents…you have to impress to show your talent.”
The “Synergy” single is from his new album “A New Chapter”. The project features platinum-selling saxophonist Dave Koz; Grammy-nominated Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy)’ bass player Ida Nielsen (Prince); Grammy-nominated guitarist Greg Howe (Snarky Puppy); 11-time Grammy-winning trumpeter Philip Lassiter (Ariana Grande); bass player Anthony Crawford; guitarist Roy Ziv; guitarist Feodor Dosumov (Chaka Kahn); guitarist Melvin Lee Davis (George Benson); drummer Cleverson Silva; bass player Isai Romero; guitarist Wojtek Pilichowski, and drummer Eric Moore. It is co-produced by Grammy-winning Kitt Wakely.
“It has always been a dream (to work with Dave Koz),” Vahagn said when I asked. “His (album) was the first album I had as a kid. I still have the CD – Dave Koz – I never imagined (working with him).”
Stepanyan was a 10-year-old boy in war-torn Armenia when he told his piano teacher that one day he was going to play with Jazz/Gospel icons. A year and a half after relocating to Los Angeles his dream was realized as he started to perform with world-class musicians, producers, and engineers for his “A New Chapter” album. A classically trained keyboardist he sold songs to Armenian artists and was a familiar figure playing in Jazz clubs. Today not only does Stepanyan write songs for others and himself, but he is also a producer, arranger, and film and television composer.
“My first album was passed to Dave.” He told me. “He liked it. I was sent a picture with him holding my CD! I heard he aired my track (on his radio show). That was five years ago. He said he wondered if I could collaborate.”
He has garnered an Akademia Music Award (“Best Jazz Songs”), a Global Music Award, and a Hollywood Independent Music Award nomination. He is also fluent in R&B, Gospel, and Funk. The “A New Chapter” album offers eight tracks.
“The album took a lot of energy to make,” Vahagn said. “Some of the musicians don’t speak English. “Every 10 days a new song with video will be released. Doors will open with this album.” www.VahagnStepanyan.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations and Business Management Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com EVENTS: “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 24th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom Saturday April 15, 2023, and to Los Angeles via Zoom Saturday, November 11, 2023. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Industry Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $18,000 valued in cash, product and services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com, a 501 c3 organization, for more information or to RSVP for Zoom Access email info@ThePulseofEntertainment.com.
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