George Garanian

Who was George Garanian?

George Garanian 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, conductor and composer he was the leader of country's best big bands: Melodia and Moscow Big Band. 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, 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. This orchestra, supported by the government of Krasnodar District, Southern Russia, performs nationwide.