George Garanian and his Big Band

George Garanian is one of the first musicians, who attracted attention of the western world to jazz of the USSR. As a musician (saxophone-alto) conductor and composer he is always one of the best. He organized MELODY ¨C the wonderful band 80s, which indeed became an epoch of the Soviet Pop-music. MOSCOW BIG BAND ¨C also the best in 1992-95.

In 1997 he became the head of KRASNODAR BIG BAND. Now this orchestra is one of the most popular in the country and abroad. «Krasnodar big band» has released two albums: ¡°Just for fun ¡­¡± and ¡°When you are smiling ¡­¡±

In 2004 Garanian has revived the project, which was considered in the USSR in a cult

rank - ensemble "Melody". Only Victor Gusejnov and Garanian himself remained from the first «Melody». So this ensemble is a musical paradox: absolutely new collective with 35-year history. The soloist-improvisators of new Melody, despite of their youth, are really brilliant.

They can play music practically in any styles. Former ¡°Melody¡± has been named an ensemble-millionaire, because albums of the ensemble were issued by million copies. New ¡°Melody¡± does not hand over positions: the ensemble has already let out an album ¡°Provereno vremenem¡± (¡°Timeless songs¡±) on which themes from popular soviet movies are recorded, and a double disk ¡°From a melody to a melody¡±. Initially ensemble ¡°Melody¡± has been conceived for work in studio. However time has made amendments and now ¡°Melody¡± is basically a concert collective, to sincere pleasure of its numerous admirers.

The «Melody» have further development. In 2006 George Garanian have added 5 musicians to the ensemble - brass and saxophones section - and converted the ensemble in Big Band. Now the repertoire of it consist of two parts ¨C ensemble MELODY and BIG BAND.

Big Band already began to make history participating in some prestigious projects ¨C The presentation of New Year in Moscow biggest hall ¨CGostiny Dvor, two projects in Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory - Music of American Dancing with Krasnodar Big Band (two big band on stage ¨C wow!) and ambitions program ¡°Mystery of Glenn Miller¡±, the tours in many Russian and Ukrainian cities.

George Garanian have highest rank in RUSSIA - People¡±s artist of Russia, and the only jazz musician, who gives the series of seasonal jazz concerts in the most prestigious Great Hall ofthe Moscow conservatory He is the local and foreign Jazz Festivals Laureate. In the course of his entire creative activities Garanian¡±s concerts are always sold out.

Garanian was the conductor of the famous Tchaikovsky orchestra in the double CD album

«Oregon in Moscow», with renowned American jazz group Oregon. In 2000 this album was nominated to the Grammy award.