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Roman Stolyar

Roman Stolyar was born in Novosibirsk, Russia, in the family of engineers and received his first musical experiences at state music school. Then, being a student of Novosibirsk Institute of Electrical Engineering, he made his first steps to studying jazz - first privately, then, after his decision to leave the career of engineer, at Novosibirsk musical college where he entered in 1989. His teacher was Igor Dmitriyev, the most famous Siberian traditional jazz pianist and educator. During studying jazz at the college Roman chose the way of contemporary and free jazz enriched by elements of classical composing and folk roots. His first project, a duo together with excellent drummer Mikhail Wolfovitch,was formed in 1990 and made its first concert in Novokuznetsk on the annual Jazz Piano Festival. After Andrey Turygin, alto saxophone player, joined them, they started to perform as STS trio. Soon their group was invited to join the ALOHA project according to USSR - USA intercultural program, and they spent two weeks in Hawaii in January 1991. Soon he entered Novosibirsk State Conservatoire in September 1991 where he studied classical and contemporary composition and electronic music with Prof. Youry Yukechev, outstanding composer experienced both in classical and jazz music. After graduating from Conservatoire he continued his career as a jazz pianist playing in different collectives (including ALTER EGO, the jazz duo together with Andrey Turygin and NEW GENERATION leaded by brilliant tenor saxophonist Vladimir Timofeyev) and, besides, he created a number of compositions in modern “classical” manner but with elements of free improvisation. His music became soon known thanks to his collaboration with Sharomov vocal ensemble that commissioned him three cantatas and a large stuff of arrangements for them. He also made some works for theatres (including two musicals for children theater “Smile”) and, ultimately, was invited as a principal composer to Novosibirsk Academic Theater “Globe” in September 2000. As an educator he works at the jazz department of Novosibirsk musical college where he has developed his own training course “Theoretical Foundations of Jazz Improvisation”.

In the very beginning of year 2000 he and young singer Yelena Silantieva created a new duo called SHANTI which now gives Roman the opportunity to manifest his skills in a way of integration of different kinds of music, including jazz, rock, and folk music. Another group Roman created is free improvising trio TRIGRAFICA (together with Mikhail Sergeev - percussion & noises, and Vjacheslav “Slava” Murin - ethnic flutes, tuba and handmade instruments) which has just made its successful performances on different exhibitions in Novosibirsk. His last active project is DOTS & LINES which was born as a result of collaboration with young improvisers from Saint Petersburg.

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Roman Stolyar

Read "Take Five With Roman Stolyar" reviewed by Roman Stolyar


Meet Roman Stolyar: Born in Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia. Raised in a family of engineers. Started studying piano at the age of five but rejected to continue it at the age of twelve. Went back to music being a student of Novosibirsk Technical University; ultimately, decided to quit nuclear physics. Graduated from Novosibirsk College of Music as jazz pianist; then, graduated from Novosibirsk State Conservatory as a composer. Combines improvised performance with composing chamber and orchestral music. Teaches at ...

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“One of the best of a new trend of modern Russian composers.” - Expose

"Credo of Roman Stolyar is fantastic, touching my heart! I admire the mastership on several instruments...listenen to music with tears in my eyes is a gift. Thanks to Roman Stolyar, you compagny and your friendship. I listened several times to his 'Credo', this is an amazing CD." - Geert Verbeke, composer (Belgium)

"Roman Stolyar is an amazing improviser. His piano style reminds me of Bill Evans or Keith Jarrett sometimes, then Prokofieff or Bartok, later. His synthesizer keyboard work is first rate, too. I like the synthesized big band sounds

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Credentials/Background

Free piano improvisation Collective improvisation Modern composition Jazz harmony

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

NACHISTO

Creative Sources Recordings
2016

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Glen Hall - Live in...

Tarsier Records
2014

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Structure #54

Fancy Music
2014

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Duets

Fancy Music
2013

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Amazing Blue

Ermatell
2012

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