2009 NEWS - Film Score Assignments, Artist Work, New Releases

It's been a heck of a year so far... And although I am not sure where quite to start from, I will drop all the news here as they hit my mind and as days go by, as well as breaking them down in individual and more detailed posts as I deem them "cool"...

I began the middle of 2008 on a first break between film scores in quite sometime.  My immediate desire was to use that time to work on the things I haven't had the chance due to the lack of time working on about 12 film scores pretty much in a row... That being... Non-film music...  For the first time in a while, the freedom to write unattached to any visuals, rule, bpm or image driven time signature, a fresh and exciting kick... Just like writing a ton of new film themes, except that the film this time is the universe inside my mind...


At first I had the chance to work with a wonderful friend, by bringing in an ethnic music project as a co-producer and musician. Right along with veteran musician, producer and composer Chris Marashlian,  I co-produced at my studio the CD "Myrig - The Beautiful Sounds of Armenia" a collective of 12 Armenian classics arranged beautifully by Chris on which I also had the privilege and the honor of participating playing the Armenian Duduk on 4 different tracks. Using my hand crafted Arthur Grigoryan Duduk's in A and D, I had an awesome time and the opportunity to increase my contribution to this wonderful sounding CD. Myrig is available for sale at fine selected stores.

Nearing the end of 2008 I started composing instrumental tracks for what is about to become my first solo effort as well as my first non-film full album recording in the last 9 years. Nearing a year from the start date I already have close to 70% of the CD finished and am currently poking at it only when inspiration reigns and strikes heavily for your maximum listening enjoyment... "World Citizen" counting with an array of first class guest artists and musicians from the U.S., Brazil, Poland, Turkey, Serbia, India and Armenia is due out for release on I-Tunes and several other online outlets on January 2010. And frankly... I can't wait for you all to hear it... I will also be following up with a few live concerts in NY following it s release and soon will be posting a download for the single on the CD, so stay tuned to this page.

Still in the middle of the near one year in the making of World Citizen, I also got hit with a few other projects simultaneously, in a parallel world... The post 9/11 feature "Al Qarem" which has been on I-Tunes for quite sometime came back my way, with a number of additional tracks requested from their production team in order to accommodate nearly 10 minutes of additional footage added to the re-mastered version DVD. So of I came with 3 songs from World Citizen which I ended up getting inspiration from all the new panoramic and urban stills added to Al Qarem. So much for freedom from the image right... But now I m back into freestyle composing mode... But altogether I truly enjoyed adding more to Al Qarem and am completely in love with the re-mastered version and all the new scenes. They make my music speak very very loud... Thanks to directors Afandy Farooq and AJ Yourish for making the great even greater. People will truly love this film when it goes worldwide.

Last February, I was invited to attend to the official screening of the ghost Latino driven feature film I scored "Sacred Game" by writer and director Bernardo Chillindron and Producer Juan Espiga. It made it s debut at the New York Independent International Film Festival at a large Theater venue downtown NYC. There I gave interviews to Latin Impulse Magazine and Emerging Artist TV. Sacred Game later won the award for Best International Thriller. My score although not competing into any categories, received praises from several execs, festival organizers and the press itself. The event was followed by a red carpet after party where the entire cast and crew of the film gathered and revived many of the "in the making" moments. A rather unforgettable night.

Talking to Emerging artist TV at NY International Indie Film Fest


On March this year, I was also commissioned to compose 5 tracks of additional music as well as to play the Duduk, Tar Drum and the Oud on 6 other different tracks for Composer Gary Pozner on two one hour pilots for The National Geographic Explorer, entitled "CIA Confidential" and "The Hunt for Bin Laden". They have been airing nationwide from time to time since then... And on late summer I started a score for director Chilembwe Mason from Juneteenth works for this rather touchy and classy short family drama called "Escape" which he wrote and directed. A great cast and crew to work with. The process of the score was flawless and it s a rap. More on that later as well...


With writer and Director Chilembwe Mason at my
studio after the final review of my score for "Escape"



Currently, I m off to writing themes and introductory cues for my next feature film assignment as you read this post. It is a Sci-Fi Horror feature by multiple award winning writer and director Paul Hough, called "The Human Race". The footage I saw so far is incredible and I can hardly wait till the shooting and editing is complete so I can get on it, which should happen somewhere in February 2010. Not much rest till then...  

Starting next is my first collaboration with a Brazilian Filmmaker. I will be scoring "Pe de Chinelo" from writer and director Ariel Schwartzman, a silent short filmed in the poetic center of Brazil's mega industrial city of Sao Paulo bound to film festivals worldwide. With much self expectations from being inspired by a neighborhood I strolled quite often when younger, I plan on conducting a live chamber string ensemble and playing classical guitar on it once all the composing is resumed.

Stay in touch and check back here whenever you can.
I will keep you up with more detailed posts and news as often as my time allows me.

Thanks for being here...