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BIO

Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Arthur Satyan began studying piano at the age of 6. Since then his musical path has involved him extensively in both classical music and jazz, working with such diverse musical figures as Larry Coryell and Charles Davis....Yet anyone hearing him might have little idea that he is a product of the great old Soviet school of classical music. Arthur comes from the family of leading Armenian composers. His father Edward introduced him to the piano when he was four. By the age of six Arthur was attending musical school,

studying piano (with Yevgenia D. Sobol), theory & solfege, music history, and composition (with Stepan Rostomyan). At 16 he went on to A.Babajanian Music College, taking courses of jazz piano, polyphony and harmony in the Jazz Department (with Artashes Kartalyan), and continuing studies of a serious composition. While completing his Bachelor of Music (jazz piano and composition) at the Babadjanian College in Yerevan, Arthur organized the first ongoing band in the history of that college. By his graduation in 1992 the Arthur Satyan Quarter had become an accredited ensemble, achieved national recognition as youngest, most promising group in Armenian International Festival "Jazz Days".

During this same period (1988-1993) he began to play jazz in both concert halls and local clubs, working with famous local musicians: Armen "Chico" and Friends, Nikoghayos Vardanian, Armen Hiusnunts, Arsen Nersisian, etc... He was also involved in two big bands, as a pianist at Armenian National Jazz Big Band led by K.Orbelian and as pianist/arranger at the Armenian National Radio Big Band. At 20 he joined the Komitas Armenian National Higher Conservatory of Music (Composition Department) in Yerevan, where luckily, he was studying with Armenia's best musicians: Avet Terteryan (orchestration), Edward Mirzoyan and his uncle Aram Satyan (composition), Robert Atayan (Armenian music analysis), Edward Pashinyan (harmony), etc... and graduated in 1998.

In 1994 Arthur is travelling to Moscow with Armenian State Chamber Theatre, where he worked as a music band leader for more than 5 years. Performing on the Moscow's best theatre stages, Arthur weekly visits Moscow Conservatory's Composition Department, attending open lesson of composition, led by the legend of Russian contemporary classical music Mr. Edison-Denisov. Meanwhile playing gigs with his trio in Moscow jazz clubs. From 1995-1996 Arthur earned his living as a professional jazz pianist in Yerevan, playing regularly at the Armenia Hotel's "Jazz Bar", "Down Town" jazz club, Chamber Theatre's jazz club and playing concerts with his free-jazz group "ART-DODO", featuring actor/musician David Babayan on the piano, drummer Alexander Agamyan on drums and Karen Mkrtichyan on a saxophone, performing their original music.

In 1996 Arthur was invited to Beirut, Lebanon for the opening of the biggest casino in the Middle East "Casino Du Liban", where his band mates were Jack Gregg on bass, Steve Phillips on drums and Eric Schultz on guitar. In 1998 Arthur was appointed to the faculty of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music in Beirut, where he currently holds the title of Professor of Classical Piano and Jazz Studies. He designed the current jazz program in jazz studies. Since joining the faculty Arthur has continued performing, composing and recording. He is also much in demand as a jazz clinician. He has performed with such diverse jazz artists as Larry Coryell, Charles Davis, Ray Vega, Joe Lee Wilson, Melissa Walker, Phillip Manuel and Dizzy Gillespie's guitarist Ed Cherry. From 1998 - 2002 he was holding a house pianist position at the "Blue Note Cafe", where he weekly performed with his own group and international artists. The quality of his arrangements, compositions and piano-playing has raised eyebrows among visiting stars - like Larry Coryell, Alphonse Mouson and Steve Potts. He has also performed with such famous New Yorkers as trumpeter Tex Allen, saxophonists Matana Roberts and Charles Owens; singer Deborah Davis; blues guitarist and vocalist Murali Coryell.

Recently listening to him was smiling, approving and applauding Ahmad Jamal. On 2005's "Qatar Jazz Festival" and "Asian Games 2006" Arthur shared the stage with great Zakir Hussain.

"Arthur Satyan, the Dean of Jazz musicians living in Lebanon was the melodic wheel of 'Three Wheel Drive' the now legendary trio that instructed and inspired a generation of young Lebanese Jazz musicians. He was the pianist that Jazz stars like Larry Coryell, John Hicks and Charles Davis came to Beirut eager to hear and play with."

Jack Gregg for www.Lebjazz.net

With contrabassist Jack Gregg and drummer Steve Phillips Arthur formed trio "Three Wheel Drive", performing jazz standards. He is also active in the Latin and Funk stiles, playing with Latin Jazz quartet "Perfect Match". Since 2002 Arthur's performing original music with his own multistylistical "A.S.T. - Arthur Satyan Trio" in/outside of the country. Arthur Satyan is also collaborating and touring with Lebanese famous oud virtuoso and composer Charbel Rouhana and percussionist Rony Barrak.