Biography
Night Ark functions as an instrumental quartet under the direction of Ara Dinkjian, an American musician of Armenian descent. The ensemble fuses Middle Eastern timbres with rock, pop, jazz, and classical structures. Formation occurred in 1986 once Steve Backer, an RCA producer, encountered a demo containing one of Dinkjian’s original pieces and immediately extended an invitation to record. After assembling the quartet, Dinkjian and the musicians completed the albums Moments and Picture. Night Ark subsequently signed with Polygram, which released In Wonderland and Petals on Your Path. The group has performed before sold-out audiences throughout the Middle East and Europe, including appearances at the Israel Festival, the Yerevan International Jazz Festival, and the Istanbul Jazz Festival. Its repertoire features traditional instruments including the saz, the zither, the oud, and the cumbus.
Dinkjian stands among the world’s foremost oud players. His upbringing incorporated jazz, pop, and Armenian music. At Connecticut’s Hartt College of Music he became the first recipient of a degree in oud performance while completing studies in theory and composition. Arto Tuncboyaciyan, born in Turkey of Armenian descent, supplies percussion and has collaborated with Al DiMeola and Joe Zawinul. Armen Donelian, likewise of Armenian heritage and previously associated with Mango Santamaria and Sonny Rollins, handles piano. Marc Johnson, whose background includes work with Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, and Bill Evans among others, completes the quartet.
Dinkjian stands among the world’s foremost oud players. His upbringing incorporated jazz, pop, and Armenian music. At Connecticut’s Hartt College of Music he became the first recipient of a degree in oud performance while completing studies in theory and composition. Arto Tuncboyaciyan, born in Turkey of Armenian descent, supplies percussion and has collaborated with Al DiMeola and Joe Zawinul. Armen Donelian, likewise of Armenian heritage and previously associated with Mango Santamaria and Sonny Rollins, handles piano. Marc Johnson, whose background includes work with Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, and Bill Evans among others, completes the quartet.
Albums
