Two months ago, when Tigran Hamasyan won first place at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, he confirmed several things about the current state of jazz. First off, it’s in great shape, in terms of global influence and youthful vigor: Mr. Hamasyan, who is not yet 20, enjoys a comfortably casual relationship with the folk music of his native Armenia. Second, it’s in not-so-great shape, in terms of infrastructure: there’s little chance that Mr. Hamasyan’s distinction could lead to a major-label contract, as it has for winners of the Monk competition in the (ever receding) past.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/22/ar...=1&oref=slogin