Vahe Sarkissian is a veteran of the Philadelphia music scene and plays across genres: rock, jazz, and original interpretations of Armenian folk music that sound like jazz fusion. He's a two-hand tapper, but not the kind you're thinking of. For him it's composition, not a party trick, and he throws away the pieces that only exist to prove he's tapping. His last LP, Curcuna, is named for a Middle Eastern rhythm he'll argue is in 10 and not 5, and he walks us through exactly why. We get into opening at Ardmore for Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen and Victor Wooten; tendonitis, and learning he doesn't have to be a hero on every gig. He plays twice for us: an Armenian original, and an arrangement of "Eleanor Rigby" that owes a direct debt to Stanley Jordan. Stay for the part where Stevie Wonder sits down in front of his band at NAMM and listens for twenty minutes, and look out for a new trio album some time next year. 00:00 Intro11:16 Performance: an Armenian original12:45 Curcuna, and why he counts it in 10 and not 514:50 What the tradition sounds like — oud, dumbek, clarinet15:42 Roger's oud, and imitating a clarinet on a Strat16:22 An instrumental trio, and Consider the Source at The Fire16:50 Strats, Teles, and a Gretsch that plays jazz for you17:44 Stupidly low action, and playing around tendonitis18:31 Influences, from Gilmour and Page to the Metheny Trio21:50 Playing solo vs. playing with a band23:28 Opening at Ardmore for Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen and Victor Wooten25:15 Wear and tear, and learning not to be a hero26:17 Why he posts live clips and not bedroom shred29:03 "Jazz adjacent," and solos that serve the song31:53 The Christmas EP, and channeling Brian May32:35 Performance: "Eleanor Rigby"33:38 Stanley Jordan, and a rock player in a jazz school35:37 Josh Orlando, "Overjoyed," and "Bohemian Rhapsody"37:22 Tapping in 10/8, and only when it's musical37:45 The rig, and why Eddie Van Halen swings39:52 What's next — a trio album42:32 NAMM, and the FM Guitars booth43:37 The 20 minutes Stevie Wonder sat and listened46:04 Wrap-up Bub & Pop: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Threads | X | LinkedIn | Discord Host: Matt Hoffman | Producer: Tedd Kanakaris | Location: The Boom Room Resources: Backline
