Pianist and composer Armen Donelian continues his lifelong pursuit of musical evolution with Inquiry, his 15th album, arriving June 5 on Sunnyside Records. Years in the making, the project reflects an intensive creative process that stretches across four years, ultimately yielding one of the most intimate and sonically distinctive recordings of his career.
What began as a set of solo piano demos gradually transformed into something far more ambitious. As Donelian revisited the material, he became increasingly interested in expanding the expressive range of the piano itself. Working alongside engineer Dave Cook, he experimented with subtle tonal adjustments—using equalization to shape contrasting timbres that function almost like separate instrumental voices. This approach allowed him to “orchestrate” pieces from within the piano, creating a layered soundscape without relying solely on traditional ensemble arrangements.
Still, Inquiry is not purely a solo endeavor. Donelian carefully incorporates the contributions of a small group of highly respected collaborators: vocalist Dominique Eade, trombonist Ed Neumeister, bassist Jay Anderson, and drummer Dennis Mackrel. Their appearances are deliberate and restrained, enhancing specific compositions while preserving the album’s introspective core. The interplay is so fluid that even the more constructed tracks carry the immediacy of live performance.
Only two pieces were recorded entirely live: a nuanced interpretation of “Blue in Green,” associated with Miles Davis and Bill Evans, and “Aqua Reminiscence,” an improvisational offshoot from the same session. On these recordings, Eade (performing lyrics popularized by Cassandra Wilson), Anderson, and Mackrel form a cohesive quartet with Donelian, bringing warmth and spontaneity to the music. This same ensemble contributes to original works such as “What Is” and “Petite Triste (A Little Sad),” while Neumeister joins the group for the more intense and emotionally charged “Inverted Reality.”
Elsewhere, the album’s atmosphere is shaped by sparseness and contrast. “Dark Moon” offers a striking reimagining of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, moving from a stark solo introduction into an unsettling dialogue with trombone. On “Weeping Willow,” Anderson’s bass lines subtly deepen the track’s melancholic tone. Donelian’s unaccompanied performances are equally compelling, particularly his reworking of Stephen Sondheim’s “Somewhere” and the original compositions “Beyond” and “Too Soon Gone,” which highlight both his technical command and expressive depth.
At its heart, Inquiry is an exploration of sound, space, and reflection. Donelian has described the album as an exercise in continuous introspection and a tribute to the piano’s expressive possibilities. The result is a recording that feels both deeply personal and quietly expansive.
Born on December 1, 1950, in New York City to Armenian immigrant parents, Donelian grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, and began studying piano at a young age. His early musical development included formal training at the Westchester Conservatory of Music and formative experiences playing jazz as a teenager. He later attended Columbia University, where he studied composition, theory, and conducting, while simultaneously working as a performing musician.
Following his graduation in 1972, Donelian refined his artistry through private study with pianist Richie Beirach. This period helped open doors to collaborations with notable figures such as Mongo Santamaria, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, and Billy Harper, experiences that would shape his identity as a performer and composer.
His recording career gained significant momentum with the release of his debut trio album Stargazer in 1981, later reissued in 2025. Over the decades, he has continued to build a diverse and respected discography, including albums like A Reverie, Secrets, Leapfrog, Sayat-Nova: Songs of My Ancestors, and Fresh Start. With Inquiry, he adds another distinctive statement—one that underscores his commitment to artistic growth and exploration.
Donelian’s upcoming summer performances include: weekly Sunday solo piano appearances beginning May 3 at Isaan Thai Star Restaurant in Hudson, NY (6pm); a June 20 duet with saxophonist Michael Zsoldos at North Chapel in Woodstock, VT (7pm); the Interplay Jazz and Arts Workshop from June 21–27 in Meriden, NH; solo performances July 13–16 at Bryant Park in New York City (12:30pm); the 20th Annual Hudson Jazz Workshop/Alumni Priority Reunion August 6–9 in Hudson, NY; the Hudson Jazzworks Concert on August 9 at Hudson Hall (4pm); the Zonora Jazz Workshop August 17–23 in Tucson, AZ; a quintet performance August 21 at Century Room (6:30pm and 8:30pm); a trio performance August 22 at the same venue (6:30pm and 8:30pm); and the Zonora Jazz Workshop Concert on August 23 at Century Room (4:30pm).
With Inquiry, Armen Donelian once again demonstrates that creative reinvention is not confined to early career breakthroughs—it can continue to unfold in meaningful and surprising ways over a lifetime.
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