To call pianist Tigran Hamasyan an “up-and-comer” is a misnomer, because even though he is still quite young, this talented artist, by any measure, has already arrived. In addition to winning the prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition in 2006, the 20-year-old has been a finalist in numerous international competitions and has performed at clubs and festivals all over the world. Hamasyan will bring his latest sounds to the Kennedy Center’s KC Jazz Club on Friday night.

From a very young age, while growing up in a musical household in Armenia, Hamasyan was exposed to many different sounds, ranging from American and British rock and pop to European classical music. He began improvising on the piano at age 3 and started his formal classical training at age 6. His interest in jazz began to take root when a relative introduced him to his first jazz teacher.

“My uncle took me to an amazing teacher when I was 11 years [old]. His name is Vahagn Petyan,” he explained. “For one year Vahagn taught me all the basics of bebop. I was transcribing a lot of Bud Powell, Bird, Barry Harris, Monk., etc., but after that year I was on my own even though I continued going to music school.”