Zela Margossian Quintet

Raised in Beirut of Armenian heritage, Zela Margossian's childhood years were marked by the conflict and political instability of the region; themes she would later explore in her music. In 2002, Margossian moved to Yerevan to study classical piano at the Komitas Conservatorium. But it was after class, in the local jazz-clubs listening to local jazz artists that her love for jazz was stoked. A move to Australia some years later saw her take the bold step to fully transition from her classical roots and find recognition among her jazz peers, as a composer and improvisor of note. Zela’s music is ultimately a product of her own unique constellation of influences and lived experiences. In 2017, the Zela Margossian Quintet (ZMQ) was formed and quickly found a warm embrace in the Sydney jazz scene. Comprising of renowned, versatile performers: Stuart Vandegraaff (woodwinds), Jacques Emery (double bass), Adem Yilmaz (percussion) and Alexander Inman-Hislop (drum kit), the band has appeared on Australia’s main stages such as the Sydney Opera House and internationally including the Beirut International Jazz Day Festival. In 2019 the band’s debut album, Transition, was released by Art As Catharsis to critical acclaim, also receiving an ARIA nomination for Best World Music album. The Road is their much anticipated second album, promising the rich instrumental textures, the distinct compositional voice, as well as the narrative and thematic depth Margossian is known for.