Pianist

Vocalist

In a poignant tribute to the late tabla master and longtime Cal Performances friend Zakir Hussain, Chicago’s Third Coast Percussion continues a collaboration initiated with the music legend before his passing.

Third Coast Percussion & Salar Nader, tabla

Cal Performances

Pianist Tigran Hamasyan is constantly reinventing himself. Starting with classical piano as a child, he transitioned into jazz, achieving acclaim first in Armenia and then internationally. His music is deeply rooted in Armenian traditions while seamlessly incorporating elements of rock, folk, classical and beyond. Now Tigran Hamasyan visits Hamburg with his programme »The Bird of a Thousand Voices« – a mesmerising interpretation of an ancient Armenian legend about courage, forgiveness, self-discovery and rebirth.

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Tigran Hamasyan

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Tasting Notes concerts offer a relaxed concert format with a curated tasting of wine and cheese. The first Tasting Notes concert features Third Coast Percussion in a concert entitled, “Time Pieces: The New Classical.”

Tasting Notes at Wasserman Projects

Wasserman Projects

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and innovation as Stanford Live presents "Third Coast Percussion with Jessie Montgomery" on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 7:30 PM in the prestigious Bing Concert Hall. This dynamic collaboration brings together the Grammy Award-winning composer and performer Jessie Montgomery with the critically acclaimed Third Coast Percussion ensemble for a performance that promises to be both visionary and virtuosic.

Jessie Montgomery, currently serving as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Mead Composer-in-Residence, has crafted a program that showcases her exceptional talents as both a creator and a performer. The evening will feature the premiere of her first-ever work for percussion quartet, a piece that draws an expansive universe of sounds from a compact percussion setup. This groundbreaking work will be paired with Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Violin with Percussion Orchestra, a piece renowned for its vibrant inspiration from Javanese gamelan music.

The program will also include:
- Jessie Montgomery: New Work for percussion quartet
- Lou Harrison: Concerto for Violin with Percussion Orchestra, featuring Jessie Montgomery as violin soloist
- Tigran Hamasyan: New Work for percussion quartet
- Jlin/Philip Glass: Reimagining of Etude No. 6 for percussion quartet

This performance is co-commissioned by Stanford Live, with generous support from the Stanford Live Commissions and Programming Fund donors, underscoring Stanford Live's commitment to fostering innovative and engaging musical experiences.

Doors open at 6:30 PM, allowing guests to enjoy beverages, light bites, and snacks available for sale before the performance begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets start at $32, offering a range of options for attendees to experience this unique collaboration.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the fusion of contemporary classical music with groundbreaking percussion performance. Secure your tickets now for "Third Coast Percussion with Jessie Montgomery" and be part of a musical journey that transcends the ordinary.

Third Coast Percussion with Jessie Montgomery

Stanford University

Founded nearly twenty years ago, the Grammy-winning percussion quartet, Third Coast Percussion, has forged a unique path with virtuosic, energetic performances that celebrate the extraordinary depth and breadth of musical possibilities in the world of percussion. They are joined by Jessie Montgomery, herself a Grammy-winning composer, and an extraordinary violinist. Jessie has written a new composition for percussion quartet that will be premiered on this tour, and will join Third Coast for Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Violin and Percussion Orchestra.

Third Coast Percussion and Jessie Montgomery

Oberlin College

The Grammy Award–winning Third Coast Percussion performs an entire concert of New York premieres by four singular composers. Featured among them is a work by tabla master and global icon Zakir Hussain, who performs alongside the group in a must-hear moment for percussion fans. The program also features new music by Jlin, a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist for her previous collaboration with Third Coast Percussion (co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall); Armenian jazz pianist and composer Tigran Hamasyan; and New York City’s own Jessie Montgomery, whose music is acclaimed as “turbulent, wildly colorful, and exploding with life” (The Washington Post).

Third Coast Percussion

Carnegie Hall

In addition to awards and critical acclaim, Hamasyan has built a dedicated following worldwide, as well as praise from Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau and the late Chick Corea.

Hamasyan’s much-anticipated new conceptual album, The Bird of a Thousand Voices, set for release on Naïve/Believe in August, is inspired by an ancient Armenian tale in which a hero travels into unseen realms to find and bring back a mythical bird – whose thousand different songs will awaken people again and bring harmony to the world.

Cadogan Hall 

Tigran Hamasyan Trio

Alex Theatre

With Tigran Hamasyan(Opens in a new window), potent jazz improvisation fuses with the rich folkloric music of his native Armenia. A piano virtuoso with groove power, he’s one of the most remarkable and distinctive jazz-meets-rock pianists of his generation. He’ll be accompanied by Evan Marien on bass and Arthur Hnatek on drums.

Berklee College of Music

In this clinic, Tigran Hamasyan will talk about his new project and answer questions from students. Also, the Middle Eastern Fusion Ensemble will perform and receive feedback from visiting artists.

Middle Eastern Festival Clinic with Tigran Hamasyan

David Friend Recital Hall

Named “the hottest pianist in jazz” by The Guardian, Tigran Hamasyan’s jazz mastery—steeped in the folk rhythms of his Armenian heritage—meets the “creative fearlessness” and “reverent precision” (BBC Music Magazine) of GRAMMY-winning Chicago ensemble, Third Coast Percussion. Known for their kinetic precision and daring collaborations, Third Coast brings a percussive fire to Hamasyan’s blend of jazz improvisation and folk-inspired melodies. Together, they craft a bold, rhythm-fueled experience that pushes sound and musical form to their limits.

Pianist, Vocalist

Tigran Hamasyan

Events

Upcoming events

Mar 13, 2026

Tigran Hamasyan & Third Coast Percussion · UChicago Presents

Past events

Nov 1, 2025

Third Coast Percussion & Salar Nader, tabla · Cal Performances

Aug 31, 2025

Tigran Hamasyan · Elbphilharmonie

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