Vardan Ovsepian 

New Quartet

Lyrical then ferocious,

Jazz redefined, one of a kind,  

a must for your arts community!

'Ferber Shred' refers to drummer Mark Ferber's ferocious soloing. 'Shredding' a la Metallica, this could also be called an Ostinato Solo.  'Ostinato' refers to a short repeated fragment of music. In this case it is the bassline played by the bass and the piano left hand. Vardan, Eva, and Josh are counting with every ounce of concentration while Mark delivers a drum solo of many colors. "1,2,3,4" repeats at even pace as we take in this phenom. If desired, Josh can guide development of this awareness from the stage, coaching the audience in an adaptation of Indian concert-going conducting culture.

Mandolinist Eva and pianist Vardan share a story in three parts. Vardan's opening chapter begins at high intensity with fast scales that energize; the space that follows brings a release and relaxation. Chapter two is Eva returning us to ferocious, a journey that bass and drums join before the sudden turn to quiet in Vardan's final chapter in the last few seconds.

Our concerts are a diversity of character, a buffet that includes deep quiet and introspection as displayed here, balanced by all levels of simmer and spice. Notice how the unfailing regularity of the opening piano rhythms lays a launch pad for a bass improvisation that quietly dances through many rhythms.

Just Not Today is a complete song, unedited. Vardan has countless catchy compositions, capitalizing on audience affection for ostinato and other like elements of repetition.

On Land On Sea is another complete Vardan Ovsepian composition, unedited. We believe space draws listeners in and serves as an invitation to reflect, both on the music at hand and whatever might be felt and thought within.

African 12/8, including Ghanaian drum language, lies at the heart of this groove and is a cornerstone of  many of Josh's compositions. This piece was written in tribute to wondrous complexities of his daughter Bella.

Trio

Below holds casual recordings ripe with both the energy of live music and the imperfections of the search.

Many thanks to Vardan and Mark for making the hike to PA from LA in the Fall of 2021. The joy of connecting again after a pandemic pause was beyond words. 

Josh's compositions fuse classical harmonies with modern angularity and ferocious drumming. Odd and elusive meters abound. Complete versions of Known Garden, recorded in 2011, and Squashua, from 2001, are available on iTunes, Spotify, CDBaby, and beyond.