Arman Peshtmaljyan is an award-winning composer, arranger, keyboardist/pianist, songwriter, and music producer. As a well-known musician in Armenia, he specializes in jazz, pop, folk, and fusion but has always sought to experiment and explore innovative perspectives in genres like Techno, D’n’B, Lo-Fi Hip Hop, Dream Pop, and Psychedelic Soul. As an indie artist, he writes and releases his own compositions, constantly evolving a signature sound, thanks to his rich and diverse musical background.

Arman’s music journey began in his early school years when he studied at the Music School named after Alexander Hekimyan in Yerevan. He learned multiple instruments, including piano, percussion, guitar, drums, and harmonica, and his passion for music only deepened as he continued his studies at the Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas (piano and composition). Later, he pursued a master’s degree in Jazz Composition at the Basel Academy of Music, Jazzcampus in Switzerland.

Over the years, Arman has had the privilege of performing in many bands while continuing to develop as a composer. He is currently a member of the MVF Band, Goght Band, Yerevan Calling, Zestengusto, and the Armenian Navy Band (BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music). He also performs periodically with the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia. Most recently, he launched his own modern jazz project, the “Arman Peshtmaljyan Group.”

As an artist, Arman has ventured into preserving and reimagining forgotten Armenian folk songs. He has rearranged and recorded pieces like “Nstir Im Gyamin” and “Amran Gisher,” marking the first-ever arranged versions of these gems. Most recently, he released “Zartir Nazelis,” an Armenian “tagh” transformed through ethnographic compilation by Komitas Vardapet. His work in the dream pop genre, such as “Ays Gisher,” has been recognized as pioneering in Armenia.
Recently, Arman was nominated for the World Entertainment Awards for the best folk song with “Zartir Nazelis.” He also became a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest for five of his compositions, with “Ays Gisher” receiving a Jury Special Mention award.

Throughout his career, Arman has performed at various prestigious music festivals, including the Made in New York Jazz Competition (2014), the Smithsonian Folklife Festival (2018), the Caucasus Cultural Festival in Seoul (2016), and the Yerevan Jazz Festival (2015-2024), among others. He has also performed at the MIDEM Festival (2015), Center Stage US (2023), and UN WEEK-END À L’EST in Paris (2024).

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first significant step in the industry was releasing my single & music video “Ays Gisher.” It was a deeply personal and transformative experience, as I poured my creativity and emotions into every aspect of its creation.
Through this process, I learned the immense value of creating and releasing my own compositions. It taught me that the act of bringing your ideas to life is not only rewarding but also a powerful way to discover the motivation and inspiration that comes from within.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

One of the projects I’m most proud to have worked on is my ongoing initiative to preserve and reimagine forgotten Armenian folk songs. Recently, I ventured into this field by rearranging and recording pieces such as “Nstir Im Gyamin”and “Amran Gisher,” which mark the first-ever arranged versions of these hidden gems.

Most notably, I released “Zartir Nazelis,” an Armenian “tagh” that has been transformed through ethnographic compilation by Komitas Vardapet. This piece holds significant cultural value, and reimagining it has been both a creative and deeply meaningful journey.

I continue to research and uncover folk songs that are either forgotten or at risk of being lost. By arranging, recording, and making them digitally accessible, I aim to breathe new life into these timeless melodies, ensuring they remain their part of cultural heritage for generations to come.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

The most challenging aspect of my work is finding the balance between the creative process and managing it effectively. It can be difficult to maintain discipline and structure while navigating the endless and captivating world of music creation and creativity.

Staying organized and ensuring that creative ideas are translated into actionable steps—whether it’s recording, arranging, or releasing—is a constant challenge. However, it’s also a rewarding journey as it pushes me to grow both as an artist and as a professional.

How do you unwind from work mode?

In the creative industry, it’s almost impossible to find a clear line between work mode and non-work mode. Inspiration strikes at the most unexpected times.

For me, unwinding isn’t about stepping away from work; it’s about embracing the fluidity of creativity. I might pick up an instrument just for fun, experiment with a new melody, or listen to music that inspires me. These moments might feel like relaxation, but they often lead to my next big idea.

Creativity doesn’t clock out, and honestly, that’s part of what makes this journey so fulfilling.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to fuel your creativity?

I find that learning something new—whether it’s a skill, a concept, or even exploring a different genre of music—keeps my creativity alive. Stepping into the unfamiliar sparks fresh ideas and pushes me to think in new and exciting ways.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

My current role, I focus on creating music, arranging compositions, and producing my work using Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). These tools allow me to bring my ideas to life and share them with the world.
What I love most about my job is that it allows me to travel and perform concerts abroad. Traveling is not just a perk of what I do—it is an integral part of my job. It gives me the chance to connect with diverse audiences, experience different cultures, and draw inspiration from the world around me. This blend of music and travel keeps my work exciting and endlessly inspiring.

When did you know that this career is what you wanted to do?

When I was 10 years old, I discovered the world of rhythms by experimenting with a synthesizer. Creating rhythms felt incredibly inspiring and captivating, and it was in that moment I knew music was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.

What inspired you to join the field and create the kind of work you do?

I was inspired by the noticeable lack of certain genres and pieces, particularly in the Armenian music industry. On a broader scale, I saw an opportunity in the global music scene to mix genres and cultures, creating something entirely new and unique. This drive to fill those gaps and explore the fusion of different musical traditions continues to fuel my creativity and work.

What’s a work tool you use every day and what’s one that is obsolete that you wish still existed?

I use my keyboard and my creativity every day. The keyboard is where ideas flow, where I play with melodies and harmonies, and the true spark of my music happens. But then, of course, there’s that constant tug of war with my creativity—sometimes it feels like the keyboard just follows my lead, sometimes I’m chasing after it.
And for Obsolete Tool I’d say the good old analog tape recorder. There’s something romantic about the imperfections of analog. Sure, digital is cleaner and more efficient, but there was a certain charm in the way those tapes would stretch and warp, giving every recording a unique texture.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

I’ve recently launched my jazz group, “Arman Peshtmaljyan Group”, where we perform my original compositions. Additionally, I’ve become a member of “Yerevan Calling”, and together, we’re shaping and redefining Armenian modern jazz, pushing the boundaries of its style and sound in Armenia.

Another exciting development is my collaboration with Grammy-winning artist Arto Tunçboyacıyan as part of his trio. This partnership has opened up new avenues for creativity, allowing us to explore unique sounds and melodies that continue to inspire me.

These projects fuel my passion for innovation in music and allow me to contribute to the evolution of jazz in Armenia.