From Bingyol To Kansas City

Stepan Shakaryan was born in Baku, in 1952 moved to Yerevan. He was admitted to Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory in 1954. Following the advice of Aram Khachaturian, Shakaryan left for Moscow to study at Gnessin Academy of Music, then he continued studying at Leningrad Conservatory. In 1964 he finished his studies and returned to Yerevan. During 1960s he founded group “Youthfulness”. He was one of the founders of Armenian Jazz. He wrote more than 100 jazz compositions which are included in different playlists of jazz bands. His works were performed by Armenian State Jazz Orchestra, Variety Symphony Orchestra of Radio and TV of Armenia and others. Shakaryan taught at Yerevan State Conservatory since 1992 (Professor since 1998). He was awarded the title of Honorary Art Worker of Armenia, was awarded with Gold Medal of Ministry of Culture of Armenia and Yerevan Mayor Gold Medal in 2015. Stepan Shakaryan died in Yerevan.