Georgi Aramowitsch Garanjan

Ge o rgi Ar a mowitsch Garanj a n ( Russian Георгий Арамович Гаранян * 15. August 1934 in Moscow ; † 11. January 2010 in Krasnodar ) was a Russian jazz - saxophonist , bandleader and composer of Armenian origin, in 1993 as a People's Artist of Russia Award has been.

Live and act

Garanjan was one of the first Russian musicians to draw attention to the music scene of the past USSR in the western world . His career began in the post-war years; in the 1970s he became known as the leader of big bands , such as the formation Melodia (1970s to 1980s) and the Moscow Big Band (1992-1995); he also led the city big band in Krasnodar , which performed nationwide. Garanian has participated in numerous recordings and performed at international festivals. During a guest appearance in Prague he aroused the interest of the critic John Hammond ; Willis Conover , who hosted the Voice of America jazz program, invited him to international jazz festivals in Hungary and Yugoslavia. Garanian played the album Oregon in Moscow in 2000 with the band Oregon and as director of the Tchaikovsky Orchestra ; for this he was nominated for a Grammy Award. In March 2010 Garanian's album Jazz in Tuxedos , which he recorded with the Moscow virtuosi chamber orchestra and the pianist Denis Mazujew , was released posthumously .

Discographic notes

• Georgi Garanian and Ensemble Melodia: With Old Rhythms (Melodia)

Web links

• George Garanyan portrait at panarmenian.net

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Obituary