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Half a century into a brilliant career is a good time to a debut album. For veteran pianist/composer Armen Donelian, the moment seems ripe to revisit the first in his treasure-laden discography, Stargazer. The recording was listened to and appreciated in Japan and Europe, but never distributed and barely heard in the United States. Featuring bass maestro Eddie Gomez and NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart on drums, the captivating and passionately lyrical trio session introduced an accomplished composer and self-possessed improviser eager to mix it up with his older peers. Released on vinyl in 1981 by the long-defunct Japanese tag Atlas Records and now due for reissue by Sunnyside Records with an extra, never-before-released track, Stargazer offers a fresh look at an artist then-emerging as a dynamic creative force.For Donelian, the sting isn't just that the music was essentially unheard for 45 years. InchIt wasn't even reviewed in Downbeat or other American publications because it was an import,Inch he says. He recorded and produced the album in 1980 in New York with his much better established compatriots. A year later he struck a deal with Atlas for the Japanese . The masters reverted to Donelian when the tag went under years ago. But he bided his time, preferring to forge ahead with new music rather than look backward. With the approach of his 75th birthday in December, though, he Inchfelt strongly this was a document that needed to be available,Inch he says. InchI've been very fortunate to meet and work with incredible musicians throughout my life. I never really look back that much on my career, or even think about the idea of a 'career.' To me, what I've always loved to do is moving forward into the explorative space, the unknown. After this comes out, I've got another album scheduled on Sunnyside. I'm not by any means tied to the past.InchThe past, however, has a
