Sar Kamler – Butterfly: Colors of Armenian Duduk (Dudukhouse, 2024)
Sar Kamler’s ButterFly: Colors of Armenian Duduk represents a nine-year journey of growth and dedication, from musical illiteracy to composition. Indeed, Sar Kamler transformed from a beginner unable to read music into a composer. The album puts the spotlight on the delightful Armenian duduk. Although the duduk has been used frequently in film scores, Kamler explores a broader range of emotions and styles, delivering an exquisite set of performances.
The album aims to present the full expressive potential of the duduk, moving from somber tones to celebratory sounds. For example, “Ode to Seasons” captures the essence of winter’s starkness, transitioning through the liveliness of spring, the richness of summer, and concluding with the abundance of autumn. This piece mirrors Kamler’s progression from a novice musician to a composer.
Kamler credits his mentors for shaping his musical career. His first teacher, Georgy Minasov, encouraged him to pursue mastery of the duduk, even inventing the two-octave version of the instrument, featured in the piece “Swan’s Dream.” Aslan Gotov, Kamler’s arranger and producer, challenged him to compose original works, playing a crucial role in bringing the album’s compositions to life.
Bill McBirnie, a world-renowned flutist, provided mentorship and inspiration throughout Kamler’s creative process. McBirnie’s performance on “Pegasus N5” enriches the track with a masterful flute solo, showcasing his technical expertise and improvisational flair. His support extended beyond collaboration, serving as a guiding force in Kamler’s pursuit of artistic growth.
The album features a variety of musical styles, including the fusion of duduk and funk in “Funky Sar” and the intricate technical display in “Mountain Dance.” Each track represents an experiment, expanding the duduk’s palette while balancing innovation with respect for its rich cultural heritage.
Nature is a recurring source of inspiration throughout the album, especially evident in the opening and closing tracks. Kamler describes the creation of this album as a process of growth and discovery, and he invites listeners to approach the music with openness, whether they are familiar with the duduk or hearing it for the first time.
Song descriptions
“Ode to Seasons” is an acoustic duduk piece that combines world fusion with western classical music. It reflects the cycles of nature. It begins with a haunting drone in F, evoking the stillness of winter. The arrangement gradually blossoms into a vibrant spring, flows into a lively summer fugue with a duduk quartet, and culminates in an autumnal harvest celebration.
“Little Paradise” evokes the peacefulness of life in a mountain village, where love and harmony prevail. It mixes the warm tones of the duduk with contemporary instrumental elements.
“Funky Sar” brings a dynamic fusion of traditional Armenian sounds and modern funk. Sar Kamler adds vocals and duduk, creating an energetic and playful track that highlights his innovative approach to music.
Featuring jazz flutist Bill McBirnie, “Pegasus N5” is an ambient jazz track inspired by the grace and power of the mythical winged horse.
“ButterFly” is a personal piece that symbolizes Kamler’s transformation as a musician.
“Swan’s Dream” explores what a swan might dream about, using the two-octave duduk. The piece is dedicated to Kamler’s mentor, Georgy Minasov, honoring his innovative spirit and guidance throughout Kamler’s musical journey.
This soothing “Lullaby for Sar” is designed for adults, offering a calming melody before sleep. It reflects Kamler’s personal nightly routine and is a serene, comforting way to end the day.
“Mountain Dance” draws inspiration from Armenian folk music, focusing on the technical complexities of the duduk.
“It’s Springtime” is a solo duduk piece celebrating the rejuvenation of spring. With no accompaniment, the track highlights the pure sound of the duduk.
Sar Kamler Background
Sar Kamler is a Toronto-based musician dedicated to the healing power of music, with a focus on the evocative sounds of the Armenian duduk, a double-reed woodwind instrument. Believing that music can heal the mind, body, and soul, Kamler’s work revolves around themes of love and light. His approach to the duduk, which has been in existence for over 1,200 years, highlights its warm, raw, and soulful tones, often compared to the human voice. Kamler aims to push the boundaries of the traditional duduk sound, combining it with various musical styles and instruments to create new, vibrant expressions.
Kamler’s musical journey began in Yerevan, Armenia, where he was captivated by the sounds of his hometown. However, it wasn’t until later in life that he picked up his first instrument, the duduk. After years of struggling to master its intricacies, he met Georgy Minasov, a distinguished duduk player and innovator, who became his mentor and close friend. Minasov expanded Kamler’s knowledge and technique, introducing him to the extended-range duduk, which allows for a broader repertoire, including jazz and classical music.
Since his first performance in Toronto in 2019, Kamler has steadily built a reputation for his ability to mix the ancient and the modern. His debut performance, “Mystical Duduk in Toronto,” saw him playing alongside renowned duduk artists Artak Asatryan and Georgy Minasyan. Shortly after, he participated in the “Armenia Meets Cuba” jazz project, collaborating with the world-renowned Cuban jazz pianist Hilario Durán to combine the soulful tones of Armenia with Cuban rhythms.
Kamler’s first solo concert came in 2020 as part of the Sounds of Canada series, which celebrates the diverse musical traditions present in Canada. In 2022, Kamler teamed up with pianist Viktor Kott for the “Café Duduk” project, interweaviung Armenian melodies and global classics through the fusion of duduk and piano.
Currently, Kamler is focused on several ambitious projects that demonstrate his growth as a musician. His debut solo album, ButterFly, is a significant milestone, marking his evolution from a duduk player to a composer.
In addition to ButterFly, Kamler continues to captivate listeners with his “Soothing Echoes of Duduk” series, a collection of ambient releases designed to provide moments of calm and reflection. He is also the driving force behind the Ethnosonic band, an ensemble that celebrates original music rooted in Circassian, Armenian, and Ukrainian folk traditions.
Buy ButterFly: Colors of Armenian Duduk.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.