top of page
  • iTunes
  • Spotify
  • YouTube
  • Deezer
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
miqayel-desktop-cover.webp

Miqayel
Voskanyan

Improvisational Armenian tar player, composer and vocalist creating a distinctive sound in jazz and world music

Subscribe to my newsletter to get the latest news, updates, and exclusive content.

Jan 31 / 20:00

Marseille / Cathedrale Apostolique Armenienne Des Saints Traducteurs

Feb 1 / 19:30

Marseille / Atelier Sevin - Doering

Feb 8

Paris / Master class about Armenian music and tar

Feb 9 / 17:00

Lyon / “Au Salon d’Armenie” (private concert)

Feb 10 / 18:00

Saint-Étienne / Conservatoire "MASSENET"

Feb 14 / 19:30

Paris / UGAB Paris

Feb 16 / 17:00

Paris / Centre Culturel De La JAF

Miqayel Voskanyan is an improvisational Armenian tar player, composer, bandleader and vocalist based in Armenia creating a distinctive sound in jazz and world music through his innovative performance and original compositions. Miqayel presents a new perspective on the national Armenian instrument by positioning it as a solo and lead instrument beyond traditional folk orchestras and applying innovative performance techniques through multigenre compositions in both solo and group performances. His dedication to advancing Armenian music has led him to modernize the Armenian tar, which had remained unchanged for over a century, bringing new dimensions to its sound and appeal.

Throughout his career, he has formed and led more than five music bands, including Armenia's leading and award-winning ethno-fusion and alternative jazz band active since 2011- the MVF Band,  achieving global acclaim in over 30 countries. 

“As the music ascends in volume, Voskanyan turns the lullaby into a luminous ode to the child.”

Smithsonian Folklife Magazine

Miqayel was the first tar player to perform in UNESCO Hall in Paris. With over 100 original and arranged compositions, Miqayel’s work has been performed across more than 40 countries, on stages at international festivals, and in film scores.

Miqayel’s music in both solo and group performances has captivated audiences at other prestigious venues and festivals, such as Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, MIDEM Festival in Cannes, Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Royce Hall at UCLA, the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Jordan Hall in Boston, the John Anson Ford Theatre, and other stages across Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East, and beyond. His collaborative performances with esteemed musicians, including Jamie Hadad, Marcus Printup, Mike Block, Lenny White, Joe Lowano, Randy Brecker further highlight his commitment to fostering cross-cultural musical dialogue.

First Tar Soloist with Orchestra at UNESCO Paris

FILM SCORING

As a film composer, Miqayel has enriched cinematic experiences through film scoring for short films and animation movies, garnering acclaim including and not limited to two notable nominations at prestigious film festivals for film composing.

Destination Armenia Brand Manifest

Destination Armenia Brand Manifest

Filmography

Social
and educational projects 

Miqayel Voskanyan is committed to fostering global appreciation for Armenian music. He conducts educational and interactive workshops during his tours, sharing his knowledge at institutions like TUMO and COAF in Armenia, as well as internationally at UCLA, the University of New Mexico, the New England Conservatory, and through programs such as Silkroad’s Global Musician Workshop. His workshops offer insights into the history, artistry, and cultural significance of Armenian music and instruments, positioning them as living traditions in contemporary music education.

“Dynamic, Exhilarating, Haunting New Armenian Sounds” — New York Music Daily

'Best Band of the Year' at the 2013 Radio Van Music Awards

'Best Jazz Band' at the 2017 Tsitsernak National Music Awards

MVF Band is a folk jazz and ethno-fusion ensemble known for intertwining ancient folk idioms with progressive arrangements and original compositions. The band has performed on world-known stages like the Royce Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Ford Theatre (Hollywood, CA), as well as in festivals including and not limited to MIDEM in France and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Centering the 11-string long-necked tar, Miqayel Voskanyan’s quintet draws on polyphonic roots, global rhythms, funk, jazz’s tight grooves, and improvisational play. Many observers have described the band as an ensemble that dared to challenge conventional thinking on the cross-pollination of Eastern and Western sounds and genres. MVF Band has been described as “magical... haunting... and exhilarating” by the New York Music Daily.

In February-March, 2023, MVF Band was selected to participate in the Center Stage, the cultural exchange program produced through a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the New England Foundation for the Arts. 

The band toured in Washington DC, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Santa- Fe, Albuquerque, and New York, performing and teaching in esteemed stages (Royce Hall by CAP UCLA, Kennedy Center, etc) and educational centers (UCLA, New Mexico University, Indian-American Community of New Mexico, etc.)

Music videos

Music videos

MVF Band - The Dance of Insomnia feat. Hover State Chamber Choir (Official Video)

MVF Band - The Dance of Insomnia feat. Hover State Chamber Choir (Official Video)
MVF Band - The Dance of Insomnia feat. Hover State Chamber Choir (Official Video)
05:22
Play Video

MVF Band - The Dance of Insomnia feat. Hover State Chamber Choir (Official Video)

Miqayel Voskanyan & Friends Band - Sunrise feat. Hover State Chamber Choir (Official Video)
06:01
Play Video

Miqayel Voskanyan & Friends Band - Sunrise feat. Hover State Chamber Choir (Official Video)

MVF Band - Makhmur Aghjik (Official Video)
04:04
Play Video

MVF Band - Makhmur Aghjik (Official Video)

MVF Band - Flirt (feat. DJ Beatman)(Official Video)
03:48
Play Video

MVF Band - Flirt (feat. DJ Beatman)(Official Video)

Albums

folk fusion

Contact

Feel free to reach out to Miqayel Voskanyan's team with any questions or comments. He would love to hear from you!

For collaboration and booking, reach out to Miqayel Voskanyan's management team at Oberton:
obertonmusic@gmail.com

Lusine Voskanyan
Artist Manager, Founding CEO of Oberton
lusine.bm@gmail.com
(+374) 93326660

Tatev Mkrtumyan

 Communication Manager at Oberton
tatevmkrtumyan95@gmail.com
(+374) 91704515

  • Soundcloud
  • Instagram
  • Deezer
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Spotify
  • Apple Music
bottom of page