As the concert began, eager cheers exploded from the audience to the first song, “Waiting for Mine.” With each new song and every new element that was brought forth on stage, the performers were greeted with great enthusiasm from the crowd. The house went wild when Nanor Misserlian and Yeraz Markarian joined the band for a special rendition of Armen’s hit single “Til Georgia.” Then Armen surprised the audience with a solo rendition of “Fallen Angel.” This song was first performed in Yerevan, Armenia for A1+ TV station, accompanied by well-known guitarist/songwriter Vahan Artsruni.
Perhaps the most memorable highlight of the evening was a sultry duet that J. Armen played with trumpeter John Walsh for a new rendition of an old song of Armen’s called “Strip.” Both performers displayed an emotional performance, and the crowd reacted with explosive applause at the close of the song.
The final number of the show was an all out musical showcase based on the song “Got to be Going” with Renato Thoms delivering thunderous percussion rhythms, Jason Wildman showing his jazz drumming mastery and Stefan Held’s virtuoso bass solo, and at the conclusion was a masterful rhythmic guitar solo by the leader of the band himself.
Future concert dates will be announced shortly. To join the band’s mailing list or to learn more visit www.jarmen.net
...has performed and/or recorded with Tito Puente, Mel Torme, Lionel Hampton, Paul Simon, Eddie Palmieri, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Johnny Pacheco, Wycliff Jean, Max Roach, Celia Cruz, La India, Tito Nieves, Ray Barretto, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and the Barrio Boyz, among other less mentionables.
...has appeared on MTV, VH1, CBS, KBS and ORF TV Channels. Produced and/or recorded, among others, for BM, Warner Brothers and Columbia-records. National tours with Grammy nominated Phillip Oesterman ("Always, Patsy Cline"). He’s performed in shows such as "Little Shop of horror" , "Secret Garden", "Bat Boy-the musical" , "The Joys of Sex" and "Mother Devine" He has also performed with legendary singer/actress B. J. Crosby, Bravo's "queer eye for the straight guy" Jai Rodriguez, Dreamworks Records artist Antonique Smith, Frenchie Davis - Star of American Idol and Broadway's hit musical "RENT" and many others. He is also a voting member of the Recording Academy (The Grammy Awards)
... a native of Panama, Renato has performed with numerous well-regarded Latin jazz musicians and ensembles, including Rubén Blades, Eddie Palmieri's Latin Jazz & Salsa Orchestra, the Danilo Pérez Quintet, Brian Lynch, Hilton Ruiz's Latin Jazz Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jon Lucien, Sol y Canto, Paquito D'Rivera, Victor Mendoza, Bob Moses and Mozamba, Antonio Hart and the late Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. His recording credits also include Eric Reed, Antonio Hart, Harvie Swartz, Edú Tancredi and The Boston Pops.
His multi-faceted flexibility has allowed him to seamlessly shift from performing in a trio with old-school veterans Freddy Cole and Keter Betts, to playing with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, to interpreting new compositions with Ray Anderson, to playing completely free with Kenny Werner. Since moving to New York, Wildman has also performed, toured or recorded with artists including Stanley Turrentine, Dick Oatts, Bobby Watson, Mark Egan, Jim McNealy, Emedin Rivera, Oscar Feldman, Phil Markowitz, Scott Robinson, D.D. Jackson, Donny McCaslin, Stefan Harris, and Dave Berkman.