the armenian navy band with arto tuncboyadjian is one of the best live performances i have seen. he just has a way of engaging his audience and making everyone smile for hours. just watching arto on percussions (as well as with a slew of toys including an empty fanta glass bottle, a regular cooking pot, and salt and pepper shakers) is enought to enjoy the experience... but that is not where it ends... an amazing 12 person band from armenia... inlcuding vahagn hayrapedian on keyboard, manch on drums, vartan grigorian on duduk/zurna and clarinet and many other talents close the deal for an amazing ensemble.

they are playing live in armenia for the month of march and some of april in the home of journalists building. if you are here or will be here make sure you catch them... for an amazing night of music. we are quite lucky to have them here in such a warm setting for so long...as they are pretty busy playing all over europe. arto just did a cd with serge tankian from system of a down and that was another well done project.

we went to see the armenian navy band perform with another couple who have just found true love. since they are a new couple... we gave them the two seats near eachother... while arthur and i sat apart... what i found out is that it does not matter how long you are together... nothing changes... i was still itching to sit next to art and hold his hand... :o)