Zela Margossian Quintet
“The band's musicianship is impeccable throughout the recording (The Road’) and the results achieved by all are a feast of the highest quality. This is freshly minted contemporary jazz bursting with panache.” - All About Jazz
Zela Margossia, piano
Stuart Vendegraaff, saxophones/clarinet
Adem Yilmaz, percussion
Jacques Emery, double bass
Alexander Inman-Hislop, drums
Zela Margossian Quintet is an ethno-jazz band based in Sydney, performing original works and arrangements carrying influences from Armenian traditional music.
Comprised of talented and multi-cultural musicians from Sydney, Zela Margossian Quintet creates an exotic musical atmosphere that is sure to take you on an emotive and pleasurable journey.
Zela Margossian Quintet has participated in different festivals in Sydney such as the International Women’s Jazz Festival in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, Sydney Improvised Music Association’s various jazz programs, a debut performance for Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues in 2020, a debut performance at the prestigious Sydney Opera House in December 2020 and a performance at Sydney Town Hall for Sydney Festival in January 2021. A special performance to note is ZMQ’s participation in the Beirut International Jazz Festival in Lebanon in April 2018.
Transition, the band’s debut album was released digitally by the Australian record label, Art As Catharsis, on the 30th of November, 2018.
To promote their debut album, the quintet had performances in Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland and Wellington and the album received positive reviews from different sources such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, DownBeat and JazzWise magazines to name a few.
In October 2019, ZMQ’s debut album, Transition, received an ARIA nomination for Best World Music Album category.
In 2021, ZMQ signed a record deal with the American Jazz Label, Ropeadope. The album was released internationally on the 25th of February 2022 with an album launch event on the same day in Sydney.
Program
A beautiful fusion of jazz, classical and Armenian folk motifs
Zela Margossian Quintet's music is very much suitable to be performed in concert halls as it is a blend of melodies influenced by Armenian traditional music, jazz harmonies/improvisations and classical discipline in the compositional approach. The repertoire includes both energetic pieces and slow pieces which transport audiences to a soulful realm of beautiful melodies and as well as to a world of tantalising solo improvisations by the incredibly versatile band members.
The audience will surely be transported far away from reality during the duration of the performance.
Format: 2 x 30 minute halves plus interval
Zela Margossian Quintet's technical rider is available here
It is a passion of the Zela Margossian Quintet to present workshops to music students, explaining:
- How they work around to produce the sound of a new composition,
- How Zela Margossian approaches writing the compositions and the fusion she creates between jazz, and
- Classical and folk music inspired by Armenian Traditional Music
June 15 - July 15 2023
Book an artist
Travel to centres in regional NSW is subsidised through the support of Create NSW. Musica Viva can book the artists, arrange all travel and accommodation, provide posters, flyers and program information.
If you are interested in bringing an ensemble to your town or city, please contact:
Sean Moloney
Manager, Special Projects & Regional Touring
02 8394 6662