The song to be presented is titled “Don’t Deny” (“Mi Zhkhtir”). The name of the second participant of the supergroup “Genealogy” will be announced on February 20.
The first participant of the six-member group “Genealogy” representing Armenia in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest is already known: famous French-Armenian singer Essaï Altounian is representing the continent Europe. Essaï Altounian, who has enchanted the whole Europe with his charming voice, is also a composer, a pianist and an actor. Music for Essaï is a way of uniting people and their hearts, as well as a call for peace. Familiarize yourself with his songs
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Being of Armenian origin, Essaï has lived and debuted in France. His grandparents escaped from Kharberd during the Armenian genocide. At the age of five his grandfather – Nshan, escaped from Deir ez-Zor desert after his mother and sisters were killed in front of him. Some Bedouins found the boy and decided to look after him. At the age of 18 he met one of his relatives by chance and moved to France. Essaï grew up listening to the stories about the Armenian Genocide: his grandfather even published a book never to forget what happened to him and Armenian people in1915. The book is called “The Child of the Desert”. Essaï believes that now it is his turn to speak and sing about that tragic period.
At the age of 12 Essaï composed his first song, and at the age of 19 signed a contract with Sony France as lead singer of the urban and pop idol group “Ideal-3”. The band, being involved in “Pardonne-moi” top ten, was played on all major French radio stations. When Essaï was 21, he left the band and signed a solo contract with Mercury Universal. As a solo artist he began to receive many proposals and invitations from television programs. Essaï started cooperating with Jenifer and composed songs for her album, which received the prestigious Diamond Plaque award.
Appearing in “Romeo and Juliet” musical comedy, Essaï penetrated into the hearts of thousands of spectators across France, Belgium and Switzerland. The show’s album sold 2 million copies. Essaï collaborated with Michel Legrand. They co-produced 25 songs together for “Les Demoiselles de Rochefort” and had a successful run at Palais des Congres in Paris.
Then he wrote “Saimer est interdit” for the famous musical comedy “Le Roi Soleil” for Warner Music France. That album went double Platinum with over 3 million tickets sold during the three years of its run.
Essaï also cooperates with Kerry Gordy Records (KGR); their first single, “Family”, has become a hit.
The French-Armenian singer Essaï is deeply concerned by the stories of his grandfather and in 2015 for the centennial of the Armenian genocide he composed and produced a song called “Je n'oublie pas / Chem Morana”, dedicated to the 1, 5 million Armenian victims of the 1915 genocide.
In 2015 Essaï is going to represent Armenia in the 60th Eurovision Song Contest due in Vienna. In Vienna he will perform with 5 other talented participants of Armenian origin. At the moment, together with the creative personnel, Essaï is actively participating in the preparatory works of the contest. The first semifinal will take place on May 19.(1).jpg)
Armenian Public TV Company has announced earlier that Genealogy will be uniting the new generation of Armenians spread through 5 continents (Europe, Asia, America, Africa, and Australia) around the world in the year of 1915. The group consists of 6 artists with Armenian origin – 6 destinies with 1 story.
The song to be presented is titled “Don’t Deny” (“Mi Zhkhtir”). The name of the second participant of the supergroup “Genealogy” will be announced on February 20.
This year the contest will be held in Vienna on May 19, 21 and 23 with the official slogan “Building Bridges”. Forty states will participate in the contest.
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