YEREVAN (ArmeniaNow.com)–Music fans gathered in Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow on January 14 to bid farewell to Armenian  jazz saxophonist, Georgi Garanyan.

The 76-year-old composer, conductor and saxophonist died of a heart attack in Krasnodar, Russia, where he had arrived for a concert performance with French composer and pianist Michel Legrand. Garanyan will be buried at Vagankovskoye cemetery in Moscow.

Garanyan, who was born in Moscow, used to say that his life was “90 percent jazz.” He was head of the popular Melody and Krasnodar Big Band ensembles and hosted the “Jam-5” TV program on the Russian Culture channel.

Many generations were brought up listening to Garanyan’s music, which was played in more than 40 Soviet films. (The most well-known among them is ” Pokrov Gates.”)

“He was a musician who spoke with a different, rather new, modern and international style language of saxophone. The vivid proof was an offer for cooperation from world-famous producer John Hammond,” legendary jazz drummer Armen “Chico” Tutunjyan told ArmeniaNow.

Garanyan’s last visit to Armenia was at the end of 2008 to conclude the events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of jazz in Armenia.

He was in Yerevan for three days and gave performances at Malkhas jazz club–with some gigs lasting until 6:00 a.m. Jazzman Levon Malkhasyan told ArmeniaNow that those evenings were unique master classes for Armenian jazzmen. And they were the last times Garanyan’s saxophone was heard in the homeland.

Garanyan is survived by his wife and three daughters.