Armen Hrant Donelian (born December 1, 1950) is a jazz pianist, composer, educator and author.
Donelian was classically trained at the Westchester Conservatory of Music in White Plains, New York. He has appeared since 1975 as a featured soloist and bandleader, and with an array of jazz musicians, including Sonny Rollins, in international venues. A composer of over 100 works reflecting Classical, Middle Eastern and jazz influences, Donelian has produced 13 albums. He has received multiple awards as a Fulbright Senior Scholar and Specialist and an NEA Jazz Fellow. An educator at several New York institutions for 30 years, including The New School and William Paterson University, Donelian is also the author of Training The Ear Vol. 1 & 2 and offers master classes at leading throughout the world. A graduate of Columbia University and private student of Michael Pollon, Carl Bamberger, Ludmila Ulehla, Harold Seletsky and Richie Beirach, Donelian is the co-founder with Marc Mommaas of the Hudson Jazz Workshop.
Discography
As leader/co-leader Recording dateTitle Label Year released Personnel / Notes 1980–04Stargazer Atlas 1981 With Eddie Gomez & Billy Hart. Japan only. Reissued (Sunnyside, 2025)[CD]. 1984–10, 1984–11A Reverie: Solo Piano Sunnyside 1986Solo piano 1987–07Trio '87 Odin 1988 With Carl Morten Iversen & Audun Kleive 1988–02Secrets Sunnyside1988Sextet, with Dick Oatts (tenor sax, soprano sax), Barry Danielian (trumpet, flugelhorn), Anthony Cox (bass), Bill Stewart (drums), Arto Tunçboyacıyan (percussion) 1990–01The Wayfarer Sunnyside 1990Sextet, with Dick Oatts (tenor sax, soprano sax), Barry Danielian (trumpet, flugelhorn), Anthony Cox (bass), Bill Stewart (drums), Arto Tunçboyacıyan (percussion, vocals) 1992–05 Quartet LanguagePlayscape 2003 With Thomas Chapin, Calvin Hill & Jeff Williams 1998 –1999 Grand Ideas, Vol. 1: Wave Sunnyside 2000 Solo piano 1998 –1999 Grand Ideas, Vol. 2: Mystic Heights Sunnyside 2002 Solo piano 1998 –1999 Grand Ideas, Vol. 3: Full Moon Music Sunnyside 2005 Solo piano 2003–04 All or Nothing at All Sunnyside 2006Duo, with Marc Mommaas (sax); in concert 2007–03 Oasis Sunnyside 2008Trio, with David Clark (bass), Georges Schuller (drums) 2010–07 –2011–01Leapfrog Sunnyside 2011Quintet, with Marc Mommaas (tenor sax), Mike Moreno (guitar), Dean Johnson (bass), Tyshawn Sorey (drums) 2013–01, 2013–05Sayat-Nova: Songs of My Ancestors Sunnyside 2014One disc solo piano; one disc trio, with David Clark (bass), George Schuller (drums) 2020–10, 2021–06 Fresh Start Sunnyside 2022Trio with Jay Anderson (bass), Dennis Mackrel (drums) 2020 – 2024Inquiry Sunnyside 2026Quintet, with Dominique Eade (voice), Ed Neumeister (trombone), Jay Anderson (bass), Dennis Mackrel (drums)
As sideman With Billy Harper Trying to Make Heaven My Home (MPS, 1979) The Believer (Baystate, 1980) The Billy Harper Quintet (Poljazz, 1981) Jazz Jamboree 1980 Various Artists (Polskie Nagrania Muza, 1983)
With Mongo Santamaria Afro-Indio (Vaya/Fania, 1975) Sofrito (Vaya/Fania, 1976) Mongo and Justo (Vaya/Fania, 1976) A La Carte (Vaya/Fania, 1976)
With Night Ark Moments (RCA/Novus, 1987) In Wonderland (PolyGram/EmArcy, 1996) Petals on Your Path (PolyGram/EmArcy, 1999)
With Bobby Vince Paunetto Commit to Memory (Pathfinder, 1976; Bomba, 1998) Composer in Public (RSVP, 1996) Reconstituted (RSVP, 1999)
With Rory Stuart Nightwork (Cadence, 1984) Hurricane (Sunnyside, 1987)
With Datevik Hovanesian Listen to My Heart (Sony, 1998)
With Julie Lyonn Lieberman Mixing America (Huiksi, 1996)
With Roy Ayers Step into Our Life (Polydor, 1978)
With Cosmology Cosmology (Vanguard, 1978)
References
Leonard Feather, Ira Gitler: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York 1999; Thomas Staudter: "Armenian Music Inspires A Jazz Pianist" New York Times, February 10, 2002
External links Armen Donelian's website Interview with Armen Donelian