Arto Tuncboyaciyan

Arto Tuncboyaciyan is an Armenian musician, vocalist, percussionist, and actor born in 1957 in Istanbul. He is best known for a body of work that blends jazz, folk traditions, and improvisation. In the 1980s he moved to the United States, where he continued his performing and recording career. Tuncboyaciyan founded the Armenian Navy Band, an ensemble noted for combining Armenian folk material with jazz language and contemporary rhythmic approaches. His international collaborations have included work with Joe Zawinul and Al Di Meola. On screen, he appeared in Fatih Akin’s documentary film “Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul,” a project focused on the city’s musical culture. His artistic profile is also associated with the use of percussion, vocal experimentation, and self-made instruments. Although he is listed here as an actor, his public reputation is primarily connected to music, especially cross-genre live performance and ensemble projects.