Celebrated Diaspora vocalist Sako is among a generation of musicians for whom creative freedom and personal expression are of foremost importance. They have approached their art as though it were a shrine, reverentially, pushing aside all that’s alien to one’s creative integrity. At a time when Eastern music has become all but generic, Sako’s music, true to the best impulses of the Armenian vocal heritage, is in a league all its own: deeply emotional yet wiry, steering clear of cheesy sentimentalism. “Singing is my life,” Sako says. “If a song is created by an Armenian artist, then it’s in fact Armenian – whether it’s folk, jazz, or pop… There’s an Armenian spirit which one can’t escape. Your blood is Armenian… you breathe Armenian… live Armenian.”
Sako’s music is pure, melodious, flawless. After all, he has been honing his craft ever since childhood, nurturing a distinct voice that has grown in both clarity and coloration. The more you hear Sako’s voice,
the more convinced you are of his emotional sincerity. These, in a nutshell, hold the secret to the artist’s
popular and critical success. “The main thing is that you must love what you do,” Sako explains. “And loving what you do means constantly improving your skills, working hard, and, most important, dedicating yourself to your craft.”
Being dedicated to Armenian music is what Sako considers to be his true calling. His devotion has found immediate resonance with a public thirsting for genuine Armenian music, a public that can’t get enough of fresh, original releases by Sako. Indeed, every new album and live performance by the singer reveals a subtle nuance and a novel emotional twist, which combine to make his achievements all the more impressive. In the process, Sako’s restless imagination is as ever on the lookout for elements that enhance his grounding in an Armenian identity.When asked about the sources of his material, Sako credits his collaborators with a deep sense of gratitude. “I write most of my songs,” he says, “but I get help from such prominent composers as Elvina Makarian, Ida Aghakhanian, Armen Hovsepian, Arthur Khojasarian, and Naz.”
Sako’s repertoire comprises more than 100 songs. To date he has released 13 compact discs and two DVDs, and will soon launch a double album. The forthcoming release will feature newly-written tracks as well as distinctive covers of pop and folk classics. The artist’s prolific work has garnered critical acclaim, earning him 10 prestigious awards at various international festivals. The latest accolades came from the Second Annual Armenian Music Video Awards in 2006, held at the famed Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Sako won the “Audience Choice” award, and went on to donate his monetary prize to the Pyunik Armenian Association of Disabled Persons.
In July 2006, Sako’s international reach was in full evidence when he was joined on stage by the renowned singer Leila Fourhad, in a concert held at the landmark Alex Theater in Glendale. The audience that night included the pop sensation Bijan Mountazah and a number of Armenian celebrities. The unprecedented event, which was sold out months in advance, will remain etched in the memories of thousands of fans.
Sako’s music is pure, melodious, flawless. After all, he has been honing his craft ever since childhood, nurturing a distinct voice that has grown in both clarity and coloration. The more you hear Sako’s voice,
the more convinced you are of his emotional sincerity. These, in a nutshell, hold the secret to the artist’s
popular and critical success. “The main thing is that you must love what you do,” Sako explains. “And loving what you do means constantly improving your skills, working hard, and, most important, dedicating yourself to your craft.”
Being dedicated to Armenian music is what Sako considers to be his true calling. His devotion has found immediate resonance with a public thirsting for genuine Armenian music, a public that can’t get enough of fresh, original releases by Sako. Indeed, every new album and live performance by the singer reveals a subtle nuance and a novel emotional twist, which combine to make his achievements all the more impressive. In the process, Sako’s restless imagination is as ever on the lookout for elements that enhance his grounding in an Armenian identity.When asked about the sources of his material, Sako credits his collaborators with a deep sense of gratitude. “I write most of my songs,” he says, “but I get help from such prominent composers as Elvina Makarian, Ida Aghakhanian, Armen Hovsepian, Arthur Khojasarian, and Naz.”
Sako’s repertoire comprises more than 100 songs. To date he has released 13 compact discs and two DVDs, and will soon launch a double album. The forthcoming release will feature newly-written tracks as well as distinctive covers of pop and folk classics. The artist’s prolific work has garnered critical acclaim, earning him 10 prestigious awards at various international festivals. The latest accolades came from the Second Annual Armenian Music Video Awards in 2006, held at the famed Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Sako won the “Audience Choice” award, and went on to donate his monetary prize to the Pyunik Armenian Association of Disabled Persons.
In July 2006, Sako’s international reach was in full evidence when he was joined on stage by the renowned singer Leila Fourhad, in a concert held at the landmark Alex Theater in Glendale. The audience that night included the pop sensation Bijan Mountazah and a number of Armenian celebrities. The unprecedented event, which was sold out months in advance, will remain etched in the memories of thousands of fans.