Georgy Garanian's Big Band in the Kremlin

The first concert of the Krasnodar Big Band of Georgy Garanyan's tour took place in the Small Hall of the State Kremlin Palace. It was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the band's founder and a true idol for an entire generation of jazz fans.

Georgy Abramovich Garanyan, a renowned jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and conductor, founded the Melodiya ensemble in 1973 with trumpeter Vladimir Chizhik, which he led until 1982. The ensemble's calling card was jazz arrangements of the music of popular Soviet composers. Their first record sold 4 million copies. Over the years, under Garanyan's direction, the ensemble recorded 16 solo albums and nine mini-albums. The big band he founded remains among the leading ensembles in our country. Their creative individuality, broad stylistic palette, and high level of performance allow the orchestra to remain a prominent presence in the global jazz community.

At the Kremlin Palace, the Georgy Garanyan Big Band, conducted by Yuri Krasilnikov, presented popular music from the Soviet films "Gentlemen of Fortune" and "The Diamond Arm," a medley of Beatles themes, and jazz interpretations of famous Russian and international songs.

Small Hall of the State Kremlin Palace, Moscow, June 13, 2024.