Vahagn Stepanyan Explained

Vahagn Stepanyan
Birth Name:Vahagn Stepanyan
Birth Date:10 July 1985
Years Active:2014–present
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Vahagn Stepanyan is an Armenian music producer, music arranger, songwriter, film/TV composer, and musician whose genres have been classified as jazz, R&B, funk, fusion, pop, gospel, and film score music. His album A New Chapter charted at #5 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts and at #19 on Billboards Jazz Charts.[1] [2] [3] He has shared the stage with artists including Sheila E., and has collaborated with Ricky Kej, Kitt Wakeley, Nathan East, Eric Marienthal, Henrik Linder, Mark Lettieri, Greg Howe, Dave Koz, Mark Lettieri, Arun Shenoy, and Adam Hawley.[4] [5] [6]

Career

Stepanyan is a classically trained keyboard player, songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer. He began playing piano when he was 10 years old. He later performed in jazz clubs and wrote songs for Armenian artists. He relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a music career.[7] His single "Motion" was nominated for a Hollywood Independent Music Award in the Jazz (Fusion/Bebop) category, and he was nominated for Musician of the Year by the Josie Music Awards.[8]

Vahagn released his first album, Moonlight, in 2015, which received favorable reviews.[9] [10] His sophomore release, A New Chapter, charted at #5 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts and at #19 on Billboards Jazz Charts, and received favorable reviews.[1] [2] [5] The album features Dave Koz and is co-produced by Stepanyan and Kitt Wakeley.[11]

He composed and arranged the music for the Armenian documentaries The Glance of Ararat and The Faces of War,[12] as well as providing additional engineering and keyboards on Kitt Wakeley's Grammy-winning album, An Adoption Story.[13] He was featured on the single "Gravity" with the Groove Project, which includes musicians Arun Shenoy, Lonnie Park, and Matthew Shell.[14]

Stepanyan performed on the Hope Anthology Project, whose proceeds went to the GMA Foundation's Disaster Assistance Fund, which financially aided musicians, stage hands, and crew who were affected by COVID-19. The project featured Mary J. Blige, Maranda Curtis, Fred Hammond, and Percy Bady.[15] In 2023, Stepanyan performed live at the NAMM Show.[16]

Awards

YearNominated workCategoryAwardResult
2023 A New Chapter Best Album/Best Instrumental AlbumGlobal Music Awards[17]
2023 "Motion" Jazz (Fusion/Bebop)Hollywood Independent Music Awards[18]
2023 Vahagn StepanyanMusician of the Year (Piano/Keys)Josie Music Awards
2022 "Motion" Best Jazz Song/Grand PrizeAkademia Awards[19]
2021 "Motion" Silver Medal (Jazz Fusion) Global Music Awards[20]

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Billboard Contemporary Jazz Charts - A New Chapter. Billboard. May 31, 2023. May 31, 2023.
  2. Web site: Billboard Charts - Jazz Albums - A New Chapter. Billboard. May 31, 2023. May 31, 2023.
  3. Web site: The Groove Project featuring Vahagn Stepanyan – "Dreams" by Bob Smith. Static Dive. April 15, 2020. March 24, 2023.
  4. Web site: Meet Vahagn Stepanyan. Canvas Rebel. November 29, 2023. March 20, 2024.
  5. Web site: Vahagn Stepanyan Album ‘A New Chapter’ Out May 19. Jazz Hall. May 5, 2023. May 11, 2023.
  6. Web site: Vahagn Stepanyan. Something Else Reviews. May 3, 2023.
  7. Web site: The Pulse of Entertainment: Jazz Keyboardist Vahagn Stepanyan Releases ‘A New Chapter’. Eur Web. June 3, 2023. June 7, 2023.
  8. Web site: The Official 9Th Annual 2023 Josie Music Awards Nominees. Josie Music Awards. May 15, 2023. June 7, 2023.
  9. Web site: Star Portrait - Vahagn Stepanyan by Hans-Bernd Hulsmann. Smooth Jazz. May 11, 2023.
  10. Web site: Vahagn Stepanyan – Moonlight (2015) by Preston Frazier. Something Else Reviews. April 7, 2015. May 3, 2023.
  11. Web site: Vahagn Stepanyan - Synergy feat. Dave Koz. Film Freeway. May 11, 2023.
  12. Web site: The Glance of Ararat . Aravot. October 18, 2018. March 24, 2023.
  13. Web site: An Adoption Story - Album Credits/Liner Notes & Thank You - Grammy Winning Album. Kitt Wakeley. March 24, 2023. May 3, 2023.
  14. Web site: The Groove Project – Gravity (feat. Vahagn Stepanyan on Piano) by Stephen Vicino. Music Existence. March 3, 2020. June 7, 2023.
  15. Web site: United Alliance Music Group / New Day / Sony / The Orchard to Release 11-Track, The Hope Anthology Project Friday, August 28. Gospel Music Association. August 19, 2020. May 3, 2023.
  16. Web site: Nord at NAMM 2023: Vahagn Stepanyan. Nord Keyboards. April 28, 2023. June 7, 2023.
  17. Web site: Global Music Award Winners. Global Music Awards. July 17, 2023.
  18. Web site: HIMA Winners 2023. Hollywood Independent Music Awards. August 21, 2023.
  19. Web site: Conversations with Vahagn Stepanyan. Voyage LA Magazine. March 8, 2023. June 7, 2023.
  20. Web site: Global Music Award Winners 2021. Global Music Awards. June 7, 2023.