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The cello is an extremely flexible instrument. It can be bowed like a low-register violin or plucked like a string bass, and can sound quite natural in both very traditional and avant-garde settings. Despite that, it took some time for it to be adopted as a solo instrument in jazz. Artyom Manukyan has shown that the cello can be played not only in classical music and rock settings but as the lead instrument in jazz.

Alone, his 2nd release for Ghost Note (following ''Citizen''), features Manukyan as both a one-man orchestra on his cellos and in close interaction with five notable guests. His ten originals cover a variety of moods while often being atmospheric, wistful, and rhythmically infectious.

The opening "Intro" has a brief poem by Narek Hovsepyan that is accompanied by Manukyan. "The Form" features the cellist playing catchy rhythmic patterns while soloing on top. After the brief "Outro" (which has one of two appearances by bassist Tim Lefebvre), Manukyan duets with pianist Vardan Ovsepian who improvises quite freely on "Last Chance To..." "Duet #2"has the up-and-coming singer Michael Mayo blending in perfectly with the cellist while "#Celloart" gets a bit funky.

''Alone'' introduces a particularly haunting melody along with a catchy rhythm. On ''Next Step,'' Manukyan expands the sound of his cello, alternating virtuosic passages with droning notes that hint at a sitar. ''Every Time She Goes'' features some wordless vocalizing by Gretchen Parlato" before ''Not Alone'' closes the colorful set as it began, with some poetry from Narek Hovsepyan.

A native Armenian, he has written film and television scores, toured with Kamasi Washington, Melody Gardot, Peter Erskine and Tigran Hamasyan among others, and leads his electro-jazz quartet Artyom since moving to Los Angeles.

Manukyan plays with consistent brilliance and is consistently unpredictable. Alone is an early milestone during what will certainly be a very significant career.

Track Listing