BEIRUT: It seems that almost everything Guy Manoukian touches turns to gold. Best known as the musical prodigy who began playing the piano aged four, the Lebanese-Armenian musician, composer, pianist and producer is widely beloved by audiences across the globe for his pioneering crossover style that melds the allure and mystique of traditional Arabic music with contemporary, Western instrumental arrangements.
The 45-year-old artist, who has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues in cities including London, Los Angeles, Sydney, Dubai, Cairo, and Singapore, is quick to attribute his success to those who nurtured his love of music from very early on.
“There are pictures of me, maybe 10 months old, sitting at a piano. I wasn’t even able to walk properly yet,” he recalls. “So, a lot of credit goes to my parents; my late father, who recognized my talent, invested in me, and pushed me very hard to develop it with the best classical training, teachers and music schools.”
Al-Shaqif Citadel in Lebanon on July 26, 2018. (AFP)
Manoukian’s rise to the top of his game was astronomic: by the age of eight, he had already performed at Lebanon’s Presidential Palace and was composing his own work. At 16, he played his first solo performance, which drew a crowd of 1,000 admirers.
Nowadays, the virtuoso is hardly satisfied with the accolades that the past three decades in the spotlight have afforded him. The latest of his many collaborations is “worth it,” a straight-up pop track that he produced and released through Warner Music Middle East last month. Tinged with vibrant electro/disco-funk vibes, the song features SS.HH.A.N.A — a Lebanese singer and lyricist, with whom Manoukian was delighted to work.
“When I perform at a place like the Dubai Opera, my fans expect me to play the classic-Arabic-track-done-in-a-modern-way crossover style that they know me for. And that’s great, that’s what defines me,” he explains. “But I also love pop music. I always have. So, when I collaborate with artists like SS.HH.A.N.A — an amazing young talent — I am able to use my work as a producer as an outlet for a wider spectrum of my creative and musical passions.
“In ‘worth it,’ you’ll hear influences like Jamiroquai, like Daft Punk, like Dua Lipa. Through these pop and more-electronic music collaborations, I’m able to express other elements of what I’m about as a performer and continue to make a name for myself as a producer,” he adds.
And yet, Manoukian’s journey to where he is today has hardly been a preordained one. His colorful list of accomplishments also includes a degree in law, and career as a professional basketball player and club president.
“I finished my music education by the age of 17, but it was my mother’s advice to have a backup plan,” the pianist remembers. “So, I studied law. I also played in the first division (of the Lebanese Basketball League). Basketball was good for me because it kept me away from trouble and set a good foundation for my health.”
Manoukian would transition from player to president of Homenetmen Beirut, the club that he says is very close to his heart. “As president, I made a promise that we would come to win everything. In 2018, in a David-versus-Goliath type of scenario, we were able to play established teams across the Arab world and win everything from the local league and Lebanese Cup, to the Arab Club Championship.”
The tale of the team’s ascent to glory is the subject of a documentary that the composer is also currently working on, entitled “Dare To Dream” and slated for a 2022 release. “What we did with Homenetmen Beirut is one of my major achievements, as important as what I’ve done in music,” he says. “The film is not just about basketball. It’s about self-esteem, about never giving up on your dreams.”
Nowadays, Manoukian is not only in the business of expanding his literal cabinet of trophies, but the proverbial one, too — and he’s doing it as a nightlife and entertainment entrepreneur.
He is the artistic director and creative force behind recently inaugurated The Theater Dubai, located on the former premises of the Cavalli Club, at the Fairmont Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road. The press release for Manoukian’s joint venture with 7 Management and the Bulldozer Group promises “an immersive visual spectacle with world-class entertainment unlike anything seen before”.
The freshly minted entrepreneur is, of course, the curator of all things musical for the venue. “I created the show, which is very varied. You have two dynamic seatings every night, with changing lineups of incredible artists flown in from across the globe, including vocalists and aerial dancers from Vegas. Between sets, the DJ is playing amazing 80s, 90s music and beyond. Of course, the food is absolutely fantastic.”
Despite his perennial penchant for over-achievement, Manoukian is stunned by the response that The Theater has seen so far. “We are receiving reservations for November!” he beams with pride. The project, however, also has broader significance for him.
“The pandemic was really difficult,” he admits. “Last year, I had, like, 90 shows cancelled. I get a lot of energy from the people at my concerts, so it’s tough to have that taken away. That’s why The Theater came at the right time — it awakened in me the desire to keep going creatively and keep myself driven and excited.”
For fans who might consider his plethora of engagements a distraction from the music, Manoukian has words of reassurance. “I really believe that my new album is my best work yet.”
“Tamada” is his long-awaited, new LP, due out in October. He gave Arab News an exclusive sneak preview of the title track, an invigorating composition with playful melodies and orchestral arrangements. “It’s an ode to my Armenian roots, with influences that bring pre-1990, Soviet Armenia to mind,” he says. “It features phenomenal musicians and a huge string section. It’s cinematic, Hans Zimmer-ish. Very modern, more imposing, cooler. I can’t wait for people to hear it.”
Manoukian is as passionate about his Armenian roots as he is about his Lebanese heritage. “The situations in both Armenia (this year’s Nagorno-Karabakh conflict) and (the multiple crises in) Lebanon have affected me very deeply, not only as an artist, but as a human being” he says. “I am very proud to be involved with Lebanon of Tomorrow,” an NGO that he does charity work with, which he immersed himself in after last year Beirut explosion.
“Artists can often live in a gray area, and I’m proud to say that I’m not that kind. I’m very pragmatic. I believe in small victories and set practical targets for myself. Law taught me that,” he says.
“But basketball also taught me to have the competitive, winning mentality. Winning is not everything, but you always need to want to win,” he continues. “Never give up and fight till the last second. I apply this in both my music and everything else I do.”
