Georgy Garanyan Big Band (Ensemble)
George Garanian (15 August 1934 – 11 January 2010)
was an ethnic Armenian Russian jazz saxophone player, bandleader and composer.
He was the People`s Artist of Russia in 1993.
Born in Moscow, Garanian was one of the first Russian
musicians who attracted attention of Western world as part of the jazz from the
USSR. He belonged to the first generation of Russian jazzmen who started to
perform after World War II. As a musician (alto saxophone), conductor and
composer he was the leader of country`s best big bands: Melodia
(1970s-1980s) and Moscow Big Band (1992–1995). He led the Municipal Big
Band in the Southern Russian city of Krasnodar.
George Garanian was one of the first Russian musicians
who attracted attention of Western world as part of the "jazz from USSR". He
belonged to the first generation of Russian jazzmen who started to perform after
the World War II. As a musician (alto saxophone), conductor and composer he
always was among the best Russian musicians. He was the leader of country`s best
big bands: "Melodia", Moscow big band the Municipal big band of Krasnodar City
(Southern Russia). This orchestra, supported by the government of Krasnodar
District, Southern Russia, performs nationwide.
Garanian recorded more music than any other jazz musician
in Russia, performed at many international jazz festivals (Finland, India,
Indonesia, Cuba etc.), toured Germany, USA, Japan, Australia, Sweden, France,
Taiwan and many other countries. Frederick Starr wrote in his book about Russian
jazz that Garanian is one of the best jazz musicians in Russia. Starr quoted
famous American critic John Hammond, who heard George at the jazz festival in
Prague(Chechoslovakia) - "George Garanian is phaenomenal". And person number one
in jazz, Willis Conover, the host of "Voice of America" jazz program, invited
him many times to participate at International jazz festivals in Hungary,
Yugoslavia and other countries.
In year 2000 George Garanian was nominated to the Grammy
Award as a conductor of the famous Tchaikovsky orchestra for the double CD album
"Oregon in Moscow", which had been made together with renowned American jazz
group Oregon & produced by Pat Metheny Group`s Steve Rodby. In September
2004 on the main Square of Russia founded a pavement Star in honour of George
Garanian as the sign of absolute recognition & gratitude for his
contribution into Russia culture.
George Garanian has always been & still is one of the
most "sought after" musicians in Russia. He was the only jazz performer who
granted the privilege to perform 4 concerts annually at Moscow Conservatory
Great Hall (the most renowned classical venue in East Europe).
In march 2010 George Garanian Fund released the album
"Jazz in Tuxedos" that was recorded by suddenly gone in January Maestro George
Garanian with "Moscow virtuosi" Chamber Orchestra & classical pianist Denis
Matsuev. All the tracks in the album "Jazz in Tuxedos" suggest unique
arrangements, that are originally made by George Garanian. Practically in every
track there is George Garanian`s alto sax solo & he is the conductor always.
CD became popular right after it had come out as well as the new version of
George Garanian`s legendary manual "Basic foundation of variety & jazz
arrangement".
He died from cardiac arrest in Krasnodar on 11 January
2010 at the age of 75
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