Songs of the Apricot Tree. Music with Armenian Roots (EE-AM)

Friday,  March 20, 8 p.m. at Philly Joe's Jazz Club

The concert “Songs of the Apricot Tree” takes the listener to a deep and warm landscape of Armenian music, where sounds carry memory and longing. The program will feature works by renowned Armenians Komitas and Arno Babajanyan, along with works by contemporary composer Andranik Kechek, intertwining folk tunes and personal lyrics. Alongside them, songs by French-Armenian greats Charles Aznavour and Michel Legrand will be heard, in which the Armenian soul meets the sensitivity of French chanson and film music. 

For Armenians, the apricot tree is more than a tree – it is a symbol of home, continuity and the tenacity of life, and the wood that gives the duduk its beautiful sound. Just as the roots of the apricot tree hold on to the earth, its music holds on to memory and identity. The concert tells a story of love, loss and hope – of times that pass but leave a mark. The evening is given a special dimension by the intertwining of cultures: Armenian and Estonian performers will meet on stage, bringing together different experiences and sensibilities through music. “Aprikoosipuu laulud” is an invitation to listen to how one nation tells its story – and how this story can become its own for others.

Erkki Otsman is a well-known chanson and cabaret artist. He is a member of the Paris based fan society Les Amis d’Edith Piaf and is a laureate of singing competitions organized by the society. Otsman has performed on concert tours in many European countries, and his wide repertoire includes, in addition to French chansons, German cabaret songs, Argentine tangos, Italian Dolce vita songs, Latin American music, etc. Erkki has released three CDs, the album “Kabaree Marcelle" (2013) features songs composed by Andranik Kechek.

Andranik Kechek is an Armenian-Estonian musician. He has graduated from the Yerevan Conservatory and has worked at the Georg Ots Music School and the Tallinn Ballet School in Estonia. Kechek is a versatile concert pianist, performing both classical and popular music. He has written several songs, piano pieces and created music for the film “Lernavan”.

Margarita Voskanyan is a brilliant artist and a master of folk music. She is a graduate of the Yerevan Academy of Music, where her specialization was Armenian folk music and various woodwind instruments. She has also studied at the Viljandi Academy of Culture. Margarita is an internationally active musician and musicologist. She is the founder of the Armenian ensemble Cilicia (2003-2008). In Estonia, Margarita has been a musician and artistic advisor in the ATLAS ensemble since 2003. Since 2018, she has been a member and artistic advisor of the Estonian-Armenian jazz-folk quartet Shabat.

Liina Amon has graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre’s Jazz Department and furthered her studies at Helsinki Metropolitan University. Today, Liina teaches drumming at Nõmme Hobby School and plays in the folk-rock band Antsud. Her collaboration with musicians Erkki Otsman and Andranik Kechek began 15 years ago and since then, they have embarked on a colorful musical journey through different cultures and languages. Together, they have performed and recorded French chansons, cabaret music, and Spanish and Portuguese songs.

Lineup:

Erkki Otsman - vocals

Andranik Kechek - piano

Margarita Voskanyan - folk wind instrument

Liina Amon - percussion

The ticket does not guarantee a seat, we recommend arriving early or making a table reservation for 10 € per table: info@phillyjoes.com

Philly Joe's jazz club is supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia, the Ministry of Culture, Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, private patreons, and many more.