Miqayel Voskanyan and Friends (MVF Band) is Armenia’s leading contemporary alternative jazz and ethno-fusion ensemble led by renown tar player, composer, and vocalist Miqayel Voskanyan, who breathes new life into contemporary Armenian music by reinterpreting ancient musical narratives through the enchanting sounds of the Armenian tar woven into alternative jazz, ethno-fusion, funk, pop, and more.

Founded in 2011, MVF Band brings together some of Armenia’s finest contemporary musicians, creating a sonic intersection of tradition and modernity. Miqayel Voskanyan was the first to turn the iconic national instrument into a genre-defying lead voice outside of orchestras. Under Voskanyan’s visionary leadership, the band blends improvisation, structured compositions, and beloved Armenian folk songs, harnessing the tar’s expressive power to create sonic collisions that are both timeless and radically new. Their shows are described as “magical, haunting, and exhilarating” by New York Music Daily.

The band has been recognized with Armenia’s Van Music Award for Best Folk Album (Folk Fusion, 2014) and the National Tsitsernak Award for Best Jazz/Folk Project. The band's acclaim extends internationally, with highlights including second place out of 250 participants at the 2014 “Made in New York Jazz Competition”. They were also selected by the U.S. Department of State to join the Center Stage cultural exchange program, embarking on a month-long U.S. tour in 2023. MVF Band has performed in over 30 countries on stages and festivals such as Royce Hall, the Kennedy Center, MIDEM, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Jazz Across Borders, and more. 

With multiple albums and singles in the works, Miqayel Voskanyan and Friends continue to craft transformative compositions and performances that celebrate Armenian heritage while speaking fluently to the contemporary world.