Vardan Grigoryan – Virtuosity, Versatility, and Originality
Vardan Grigoryan was born on September 25, 1971, in Yerevan, Armenia, into a family deeply rooted in musical tradition. His father, Nerses Grigoryan, a renowned folk singer, is recognized for his role in preserving and passing on Armenia’s musical heritage. Immersed in this artistic world from an early age, Vardan gravitated naturally toward music, developing a particular affinity for the Duduk, the emblematic instrument of Armenian culture.
He began his musical training at the Romanos Melikyan Music College, then continued his studies at the Yerevan State Conservatory, in the department dedicated to the Duduk. It was during this period that his talent fully emerged. He stood out for the delicacy of his interpretation of the Armenian folk repertoire, as well as for his ability to create original compositions of great sensitivity. His style, deeply anchored in tradition yet boldly open to contemporary expression, quickly earned him recognition within the Armenian musical scene.
Vardan Grigoryan
Collaborations
Vardan Grigoryan’s career is marked by numerous collaborations with internationally renowned musicians. He has shared the stage with iconic figures such as Paul Winter, Chick Corea, and Joe Zawinul, as well as many artists from the worlds of jazz, folk, and fusion.
One of his most notable collaborations is with Arto Tunchboyajyan as part of the Armenian Navy Band, a key ensemble in the contemporary Armenian music scene. With this group, Vardan has represented Armenian musical culture at major international festivals such as Music Meeting, Jazz à Vienne, and Strictly Mundial, each performance asserting a strong sonic identity that blends tradition and modernity.
Camomille (Duduk by Vardan Grigoryan) © Arto Tuncboyadjian
In parallel, he has worked with the Avant-Garde Folk Music Club and has performed in numerous concerts around the world, exploring new soundscapes while staying true to his roots. His artistic commitment and openness earned him a place at the BBC World Music Awards, a prestigious recognition that reflects the international impact of his work.
He also collaborates with jazz musicians through the Saz & Jazz project, particularly on the track Hingalla, where he delivers a distinctly modern interpretation of a well-known traditional theme. Starting at 1 minute 37, one can hear an expressive Duduk solo, enriched by rhythms and harmonies typical of jazz, perfectly illustrating Vardan Grigoryan’s ability to bridge tradition and modernity.
Hingalla (Duduk par Vardan Grigoryan) © SazzJazz
Discographie et Albums
Alongside his many collaborations, Vardan Grigoryan maintains an active recording career. He has contributed to the production of numerous albums spanning a wide range of styles, jazz, folk, traditional, and pop, demonstrating both remarkable artistic versatility and a continuous drive to expand the Duduk’s role beyond its traditional uses.
He has released three solo albums: Caravan Passed (1995), New Way (2008), and In the Shadow of the Song (2012). These works powerfully express his personal musical universe, blending emotional depth, modern structures, and a deep fidelity to the spiritual essence of Armenian music.
In the Shadow of the Song (2012) © Vardan Grigoryan
My Heart Broke Through © Vardan Grigoryan
Événements
Vardan Grigoryan has also been invited to perform at significant events, using his art to serve memory and collective emotion. In 2018, he performed the piece My Heart Broke Through in tribute to the victims of the Strasbourg attack. His performance, marked by rare intensity, deeply moved the audience through the emotional depth he conveyed with the breath of his Duduk.
Today, Vardan Grigoryan is widely recognized as one of the contemporary masters of the Duduk. His playing, both refined and deeply felt, is distinguished by a rich tone, authentic expressiveness, and exceptional command of nuance and dynamics. As a bearer of an ancestral legacy, he also represents the revival of a traditional instrument now open to the musical languages of the world.
