GIANT OF RUSSIAN JAZZ GEORGE GARANYAN PASSES AWAY
Russia-InfoCenter
Jan 12 2010
Luminary of the Russian jazz, the People’s Artist of Russia George
Garanian has died at the age of 75 in Krasnodar.
The famous saxophone player, conductor and composer suffered a heart
attack two days before the expected concert in Krasnodar. The concert
will not be canceled, however – on January 13 his colleagues and
friends will perform in his honour.
George Aramovich Garanian was born in 1934. His parents had nothing
to do with music, but encouraged their son’s craving for music. In
the 1950s he already played in the Orchestra of the Central House
of Artworkers.
A turning point in the music career of George Garanyan was an
invitation to Oleg Lundstrem’s orchestra that consisted of Shanghais
immigrants who returned to Russia in a body.
Even at quite a considerable age, when performing on stage, George
Garanian produced an impression of a very light musician, who easily
darts off into most audacious improvisations at first chance.