Tamara Obrovac

Tamara Obrovac and Karen Asatrian, a Croatian singer and an Armenian piano player together in new project, meeting point of Armenian and Istrian spirit, the synthesis of two musical journeys, two musical handwritings, two great performers and composers, both seeking for truthfulness combining archaic language of their traditions with modern jazz expression.New project is harmonious combination of two traditions, two melodic expressions and two different languages, united in intensity of the expression, both dynamic and melancholic, suffused with spontaneity, inventive improvisation, freedom, and humor, present in Tamara's and Karen's work.

Both artist are gifted with great potential in performing live music; she with her fascinating voice and singing skills and he with his eclectic and passionate piano playing; combining jazz expression with archaism of their traditions, blending their emotional and creative forces, in a small, unique musical cosmos...

Their music is played by excellent musicians, members of their bands, contributing to this unique musical journey with the virtuosity and vast range of their expression, making this musical story come true.

The project was presented for the first time 12th February in Jazz club Klagenfurt, and on February 14th 2011, at INK (Istrian National Theatre) in Pula.

"IstroArmenian Rhapsody ": Tamara Obrovac and Karen Asatrian thrilled the audience at INK

Immediately after the opening song of the concert, the two musicians performed the composition which is the combination of their two songs (Tamara's Carisa and Karen's No name). At that moment, the audience was given an opportunity to enjoy a musical fairy-tale in which the two songs flowed one into another in an extraordinarily natural and easy way. The fourth song of the concert (?rni malin/Spring) was performed in the same way. It was in those „joint songs" that the two musicians clearly expressed how much they share in common, from their „signatures" as composers combining his or her own tradition and jazz, to the honest and direct relationship with the audience and giving themselves fully to the music they perform.

Zorana Jagodi?  Index.hr portal, 15.02.2011.