Zela Margossian’s third album with her quintet, Remedy, feels like a bridge between eras. There is a deep, maybe quiet echo of Aram Khachaturian. Even though he was a classical composer from a different century, we still live that his spirit lives in the cinematic weight and heroic energy of Zela’s melodies. It’s as if his sense of drama has been distilled into a modern jazz setting. You also hear echoes of Aziza Mustafa Zadeh, and while her roots are Azerbaijani rather than Armenian, they share that incredible ability to take complex Eastern modal traditions and make them feel right at home on a piano. Alongside influences like Tigran Hamasyan or even Faraj Suleiman, the album creates a sound that despite the tricky playing, never loses its sense of place. On a personal note, this “triptych” of influences, the classical power of Khachaturian, the brilliance of Aziza, and the modern edge of artists like Tigran Hamasyan, is something that has shaped my own musical landscape for years. Seeing Zela weave these threads together feels like a homecoming.
The record follows a familiar jazz structure, theme, then improvisation, but the band isn’t playing just to show off. These are extended, skilled solos, but they always prioritize emotion and soul over technicality. There isn’t a single “standard” chord progression to be found. Instead, you get these Armenian-inspired melodies wrapped in nicely complex rhythmic motifs that keep you engaged. The quintet operates as one unit, constantly talking to each other, shifting from tight, call-and-response dialogues to layering rich harmonies over the central riffs. The band shows a lot of range, bringing in Flamenco-style guitar or layering the drums with organic percussion to give the rhythm a more earthy feel. Though the quintet speaks mostly through their instruments, the few vocal moments on ‘How I Wish’ and ‘Song for Joy’ don’t feel out of place. It’s a rare kind of record that manages to honor a centuries-old heritage while feeling like a new classic in the world of global jazz.
Remedy is set for release on May 22, 2026.
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