Garo Tavitjan (Garo Tavitjan Jr., ; born 24 June 1982) is a Macedonian award-winning drummer, composer, arranger, pianist and producer of Armenian descent (Armenian father and Serbian mother) who has received international recognition through concert tours, projects and reviews in publications such as Modern Drummer, American Mirror Spectator, All About Jazz, American Jazz Times, Austrian Concerto Magazine, American Jazz Corner, Swiss Jazz Phone, French L'Express, Russian Novoye Vremya, Armenian Armenpress etc. He has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Drummers Collective, Nublu and Blue Note in New York". Garo participated in a Michael Jackson tribute project and in official video recorded at Atlanta's Southern Tracks Studios, working alongside Diran Tavitjan and Jackson's keyboardist Morris Pleasure who was music band director for Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Christina Augilera and Earth, Wind & Fire. Garo is an endorsing artist for Zildjian, Vic Firth, Evans, RTom, Cympad, X-Percussion, Modern Drummer, Drummerworld, Off Beat, Drum Dog and Drum Talk TV. Garo has performed over 500 large concert performances in Europe, England, Asia, the United States, Armenia, and the Balkans.
Garo Tavitjan has performed, collaborated and recorded with Mike Stern, Eric Marienthal (Grammy winner), Frank Gambale (Grammy winner), Oz Noy, Morris Pleasure, Fernando Saunders, Larry Monroe, The Jazz Ambassadors, Roseanna Vitro, Dean Brown, Lee Roy, Clivia Tanisi, Rhani Krija (Grammy winner), Andrea Palazzo, James East, Dave Weckl (Grammy winner), Zeljko Bebek, Josipa Lisac, Zele Lipovaca, Zeljko Joksimovic, Oliver Dragojevic, Oliver Mandic, Tereza Kesovija, Goran Karan, Esma Redzepova, Massimo Savic, Nina Badric, Sergej Cetkovic, Hari Varesanovic, Aki Rahimovski, Goran Bregovic, Rade Ã
 erbedÃ
¾ija, Jelena Tomasevic, Aleksandra Radovic, Zele Lipovaca, Darko Rundek, Davor Gobac, Julie Reljic, Davorin BogoviÃÂ, SrÃÂan GojkoviàGile, Boris Novkovic etc.
Biography
Garo Tavitjan was born in 1982 in Skopje, in the family of drummer Garabet Tavitjan. His brother Diran Tavitjan is a pianist and they perform in "The Tavitjan Brothers" duet.
Garo started elementary music school at the age of 5, afterwards, he studied in the state music high school (Ilija Nikolovski Luj - MBUC). His first concert performance was at the age of 12 during his father's concert. In 1996 he joined the Jazz/Rock group Garo & Paramecium (where Diran Tavitjan was a keyboardist and composer) where he started as a guest second soloist drummer besides his father Garabet Tavitjan. After 7 years Garo performed with the whole band as the main drummer on many occasions and tours. In 2002 Garo Tavitjan and Diran Tavitjan started a trio including Aleksandar Ikonomov on Bass. The trio recorded a promo album called DSG Trio - One Mike Session published by Paramecium Production. In 2003 Garo Tavitjan and Diran Tavitjan started the Tavitjan Brothers trio including Dragan Trajkovski on Acoustic Bass. This trio released a Live album called Tavitjan Brothers which was a part of the Sony UK Jazz competition. The tracks from the album of Tavitjan Brothers were released on the Sony Jazz Compilation release of the same competition. The album has received a 5-star review in the Austrian Concerto magazine in 2004.
Tavitjan Brothers has started with touring extensively in the Balkans, Europe, Switzerland, Norway, England, USA, and Armenia including soldout concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Blue Note (NYC), Nublu (NYC), Drummers Collective (NYC), London Jazz Festivals, Switzerland Jazz Festivals, Poland Jazz festivals, Spain Beer Fest, Italy Jazz festival, France Jazz and many other European Jazz festivals. Tavitjan brothers have performed German tours at festivals in Koln, Düsseldorf, Essen, Viersen Dortmund, etc. They performed at Sava Centar in Belgrade, Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana, philharmonic hall in Ljubljana, philharmonic hall in Sofia (Bulgaria), Bansko Jazz Festival, Exit Festival in Novi Sad, SKC in Belgrade, Atejle 212 in Belgrade, philharmonic hall in Nish, city square in Tirana (Albania), Oda Theatre in Pristina, Opatija Liburnia Ex-Tempore workshops, Opatija Villa Angelina concert, Pula Jazz Festival, Saxo club in Zagreb, Momiano Rock Festival and many other Balkan jazz festivals.
First Macedonian and balkan drummer who has established macedonian and balkan traditional rhythms worldwide
Garo Tavitjan's expertise in complex rhythmic structures has garnered international recognition. He has been invited by many of the world's most prestigious drumming and music institutions to present clinics and educational sessions on Macedonian and Balkan rhythms, polyrhythms, and polymetrics based on 5/8, 7/8, 9/8 and 11/8 rhythms. His notable collaborators and endorsers in this field include Modern Drummer, Drummerworld, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth, Evans Drumheads, OffBeat Magazine, Drum Dog, RTOM, Cympad, and Drum Talk TV.
Garo Tavitjan jr has also recorded the project called: Macedonian rhythms & improvisations which is internationally published project.
First Macedonian artist who has collaborated with Grammy winning artists
Alongside his brother Diran, Garo Tavitjan Jr. has collaborated with a wide array of acclaimed artists. The duo has worked with Grammy-winning musicians such as percussionist Rhani Krija, saxophonist Eric Marienthal, guitarist Oz Noy, guitarist Mike Stern, and guitarist Frank Gambale. Their collaborative work has included concerts and original compositions written by Garo and Diran Tavitjan, as well as performances with groups like the Jazz Ambassadors and collaborations with notable artists Fernando Saunders, Roseanna Vitro, Dean Brown, James East, Lee Roy and Morris Pleasure.
Macedonian heart beats in 7/8 - concert and album
On Independence Day in Skopje, Garo & Tavitjan Brothers held a major concert at the stadium ToÃ
¡e Proeski Arena with an attendance of 61,000. The event featured numerous special guests from across the Balkans, including Josipa Lisac, Ã
½eljko Bebek, Boris NovkoviÃÂ, Aleksandra RadoviÃÂ, Hari VareÃ
¡anoviÃÂ, Jelena Tomasevic, Nina BadriÃÂ, Sergej ÃÂetkoviÃÂ, Antonija Ã
 ola, Esma RedÃ
¾epova, Risto SamardÃ
¾iev, Rhani Krija, Karolina GoÃÂeva, Kaliopi, Dado TopiÃÂ, Aki Rahimovski, Goran Karan, and Vlado Janevski.The concert was presented live from their album Macedonian Heart beats in 7/8
Album Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 was distributed in Japan for Elsur Records. In 2011, the album was nominated for an Indexi Award in the "Best Balkan Collaboration" category because project was published in 200.000 copies internationally.
Songs from Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 have been included on compilation albums by other Balkan artists, including Hari Mata Hari's Hari Mata Hari & Prijatelji (2016), Josipa Lisac's Etno & Suradnje (2016), and Ã
½eljko Bebek's Anthology 40 (2016) and Dueti (2018), Best of Croatia Records (2010), Various Artists - Collection of Croatia Records (2011), Various Artists - Taste the music from Macedonia - Third Ear Records (2016) etc.
Tribute to Michael Jackson project
Garo and Diran Tavitjan were invited by American keyboardist and music director Morris PleasureâÂÂknown for his work with Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, and Ray CharlesâÂÂto participate in Pleasure's "Tribute to Michael Jackson" project. They traveled to Atlanta to record a song and music video at Southern Tracks Studio with film director Joe Bronzino. Southern Tracks Studio is known by producing records for Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Incubus, Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit, Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Beastie Boys etc.
Instrument development
In collaboration with instrument manufacturer Goran Siljanoski of GS Handcraft, drummer Garo Tavitjan developed a signature snare drum. The instrument is reportedly the first Macedonian snare drum constructed from Macedonian walnut and cherry woods produced in 2012.
Fragile Fireflies project
In 2023, Tavitjan collaborated with internationally recognized painter Nadja Petrovic to create Fragile Fireflies, an audiovisual project combining original musical compositions with Petrovic's visual artworks and paintings.The project of Nadja Petrovic premiered at the Museum of the City of Skopje and featured special guest performances by Grammy Award-winning artists on the compositions of Tavitjan.
UNESCO Collaboration
The Tavitjan Brothers Trio performed at UNESCO's International Jazz Day celebrations in Yerevan, Armenia, sharing the stage with international jazz musicians including four-time Grammy Award winner Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Richard Bona, and Chico Freeman.
Armenian Airlines
In 2013, the Tavitjan Brothers appeared on the cover of "Armenia in the Pocket" in the official in-flight magazine and tour guide of Armenian Airlines, as part of the airline's promotion of cultural exchange between Armenia, Europe and United States. Armenian media extensively covered the Tavitjan Brothers' concert series in Armenia, including performances in Yerevan at the philharmonic hall Aram Khachaturian, Yerevan jazz festival, Mezzo Classic House, Cascade at the International jazz day etc. The coverage highlighted their fusion of Macedonian and Armenian musical traditions.
Rhythmic Innovation
Rhythmic Innovation Tavitjan's signature approach involves performing rhythms through polymetric and polyrhythmic frameworks, primarily based on Balkan time signatures such as 11/8, 9/8, 7/8, and 5/8. A hallmark of his technique is the simultaneous use of multiple, independent rhythmic layers, often employing ostinato patterns.
A notable example is his limb independence, where he maintains a steady 4/4 pulse with his left foot at a fixed tempo while his hands execute contrasting rhythms in different irregular meters and tempos simultaneously. This creates a dense, interlocking grid of pulses.
Musical Synthesis Tavitjan's innovation lies in his synthesis of distinct rhythmic traditions. He merges the asymmetric phrasing of Balkan music with the intricate rhythmic cells of Armenian folk music, arranging them into a unique personal style. This fusion of concepts, executed with high technical coordination, is considered a rare approach in global percussion practice.
Influence and Recognition This polymetric methodology, central to his performances and compositions, has established him as a distinctive figure in the world of rhythmic exploration and advanced drumming techniques.
Worldwide concert tour
International Tour with Tavitjan Brothers (partially selected concerts)
- USA - New York - Carnegie Hall
- USA - L.A - Staples Center (as guests of AGBU)
- USA - NY - Madison Square Garden (as guests of AGBU)
- USA - New York - Blue Note
- USA - New York - Blue Note
- USA - New York - Nublu
- USA - New York - Drummers Collective
- USA - New York - WMP Hall
- USA - New York - Mc Gallery center
- USA - Atlanta - Souther Tracks Live Sessions
- USA - New Jersey - Jazz club
- USA - New York - Drum Fest (Z/VF)
- USA - Boston - Drum Fest (Z/VF)
- England - London - Jazz fest
- England - Halo venue
- Switzerland - Auvernier Jazz fest
- Switzerland - Auvernier Jazz fest
- Switzerland - Caveaux
- Switzerland - Caveaux
- Switzerland - Zurich - Music Fest
- Armenia - Aram Khachaturian Philharmonic Hall
- Armenia - Yerevan Jazz Fest
- Armenia - Yerevan - Mezzo Classic House
- Armenia - Yerevan - Mezzo Classic House
- Armenia - Yerevan - Cascade - City Square
- Armenia - Yerevan - Radio Van Music fest
- Germany - Düsseldorf - Open festival
- Germany - Koln - Stadtgarten
- Germany - Essen - Jazz fest
- Germany - Düsseldorf - Schlachthof
- Germany - Düsseldorf - Schlachthof
- Germany - Düsseldorf - Schlachthof
- Germany - Viersen - Cultural Center
- Germany - Dortmund - Jazz fest
- Germany - Munich - Worldmusic fest
- Austria - Wien - T-ON Music Center - Live sessions & CWE
- Austria - Wien - Open sky rock festival
- Austria - Wien - City Square Open Festival
- France - Paris - Music performance center
- France - Paris - International Cultural Center
- France - Music Expo
- Italy - Trieste - Urban performance center
- Italy - Trieste - Urban performance center
- Italy - Trieste - Urban performance center
- Italy - Venice - Palazo Zenobi
- Italy - Rome - Beer fest
- Italy - Rome - House of Jazz
- Spain - Barcelona - Beer Fest
- Spain - Madrid - Armenian days of music - Festival (2003)
- Spain - Seville - Armenian days of music - Festival (2003)
- Spain - Bilbao - Armenian days of music - Festival (2003)
- Romania - Bucharest - Jazz Festival
- Romania - Open Jazz Fest
- Romania - Bucharest - Beer festival
- Georgia - Tbilissi - Music Fest
- Norway - Oslo - Bare Jazz fest
- Norway - Oslo - National scene
- Norway - Oslo - Koncerthus
- Sweden - Stockholm - Rock for peace festival
- Sweden - Upsala - Armenian union of musicians - Jazz academy concert hall
- Poland - Krakow - Jazz fest
- Poland - Krakow - Jazz competition concert ceremony
- Greece - Thessaloniki - Milos
- Greece - Philippos Nakas performance center
- Holand - Amsterdam - Beer Fest
- Holand - Utrecht - Rock fest
- Holand - Amsterdam - Music center
- Estonia - Tallinn - Rock Festival
- Estonia - Tallinn - Cultural exchange event (Armenian Union of Art)
- Estonia - World music festival
- Russia - Moscow - Armenian world music festival
- Russia - Moscow - Days of Armenian music in the theatre
- Russia - Saint Petersburg - Armenian folk heritage festival
- Belgium - Brüssel - International jazz & folk festival of Armenia
- Belgium - Ghent - City University - Festival of East Asian culture (AGBU)
- Belgium - Liege - Open sky blues festival (days of Armenian music)
- Slovenia - Ljubljana - Cankarjev Dom
- Slovenia - Ljubljana - Philharmonic Hall
- Slovenia - Logatec Cultural venue
- Slovenia - Logatec - Music center
- Croatia - Zagreb - Saxo
- Croatia - Pula jazz fest
- Croatia - Opatija - Villa Angelina hall
- Croatia - Momiano - Rock fest
- Croatia - Opatija - Cultural center
- Croatia - Opatija - Cultural center
- Croatia - Opatija - Cultural center
- Bulgaria - Sofia - National Philharmonic Hall
- Bulgaria - Sofia - City Square (70 years of fascism)
- Bulgaria - Bansko Jazz fest
- Bulgaria - Bansko Jazz fest
- Bulgaria - Ruse - Jazz fest
- Bulgaria - Plovdiv - Cultural Center (AGBU Orchestra)
- Bulgaria - Varna
- Bulgaria - Dobrich
- Albania - Tirana - City Square Beer festival
- Albania - Tirana - Uniting differences festival
- Kosovo - Pristina - Oda Theatre
- Serbia - Novi Sad - Exit festival
- Serbia - Novi Sad - City Square
- Serbia - Belgrade - Sava Center
- Serbia - Belgrade - Sava Center
- Serbia - Belgrade - SKC
- Serbia - Belgrade - Atelje 212
- Serbia - Belgrade - Atelje 212
- Serbia - Belgrade - Atelje 212
- Serbia - Belgrade - Interconti Conference Hall
- Serbia - Valjevo - Jazz fest
- Serbia - Kikinda - Jazz fest
- Serbia - Nish - Philharmonic Hall - Nimus
- Serbia - Sabac - Jazz & Blues fest
- Serbia - Sabac - Jazz & Blues fest
- Serbia - Sabac - Jazz & Blues fest
- Serbia - Sabac - Jazz & Blues fest
- Serbia - Sabac - Jazz club
- Serbia - Sabac - Jazz club
- Serbia - Leskovac - Drum Dum fest
- Serbia - Leskovac - Drum Dum fest
- Serbia - Leskovac - Drum Dum fest
- Serbia - Leskovac - Drum Dum fest
- Serbia - Leskovac - Cultural center
- Bosnia - Zenica - City Square Music fest
- Montenegro - Petrovac - Jazz fest
- Bitola - City Square
- Bitola - Heraclea (Ancient Theatre)
- Bitola - Cultural Center
- Bitola - Tumbe Kafe (Bitfest)
- Struga - City Square - Telekom Tour
- Struga - As Camp - Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Ohrid - Ancient Theatre - Tavitjan Brothers & Paramecium
- Ohrid - Ancient Theatre - Nokaut ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Ohrid - City Square - Telekom Tour
- Ohrid - Dolni Saraj - Tavitjan Brothers
- Ohrid - Dolni Saraj - Garo & Paramecium ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Ohrid - Dolni Saraj - Garo & Paramecium ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Tetovo - Cultural Center - Jazz fest
- Tetovo - Cultural Center - Music fest
- Tetovo - Cultural Center - Eda & Tavitjan
- Kumanovo - Cultural Center - Jazz fest
- Kumanovo - City Square - Telekom Tour
- Kumanovo - Jazz festival
- Kumanovo - Jazz festival
- Stip - City Square - Garo & Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Stip - Mak Fest - Garo & Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Kratovo - City Square
- Prilep - Pivo Fest
- Prilep - Jazz Fest
- Prilep - Cultural Center
- Prilep - Down Town
- Veles - City Square - Telekom Tour
- Kocani - City Square - Telekom Tour
- Strumica - City Square - Telekom Tour
- Strumica - Open Festival
- Kavadarci - Wine Festival
- Gostivar - Future Culture Fest
The Tavitjan Brothers became a fixture in the capital's most prominent cultural institutions and large-scale events, with multiple performances in Skopje at:
- Skopje - City Stadium (Tose Proeski Arena) - Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat. Balkan singers (2012)
- Skopje - City Stadium (Tose Proeski Arena) - Zeljko Joksimovic ft. Tavitjan Brothers (2014)
- Skopje - City Stadium (Tose Proeski Arena) - Opening of stadium (2009)
- Skopje - Boris Trajkovski Sports Center - Music fest feat. Tavitjan Brothers & Oliver Mandic
- Skopje - Boris Trajkovski Sports Center - Oliver Dragojevic ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Boris Trajkovski Sports Center - Oliver Dragojevic ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Boris Trajkovski Sports Center - Music event - Drum percussion show by Tavitjan
- Skopje - Boris Trajkovski Sports Center - Nik Vuicic with guests: Garabet & Garo Tavitjan
- Skopje - Boris Trajkovski Sports Center - Karolina Goceva ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Metropolis Arena - DNK ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Metropolis Arena - DNK ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Universal Hall - Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Skopje - Universal Hall - Anniversary concert for Universal Hall
- Skopje - Universal Hall - Benefit concert
- Skopje - Universal Hall - DNK ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Universal Hall - Mars awards ft. Aki Rahimovski with Garo & Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Universal Hall - Tavitjan Brothers & Miki Jovanovski Djafer
- Skopje - Universal Hall - M2 concert ft. Garo Tavitjan
- Skopje - Universal Hall - Golden Lady Bug (Zlatna Bubamara) ft. Garo & Tavitjan Brothers in live
- Skopje - Universal Hall - Golden Lady Bug (Zlatna Bubamara) ft. Garo Tavitjan solo performance
- Skopje - Universal Hall - Blagovestie event ft. Garabet & Garo Tavitjan with Big Band
- Skopje - Macedonian National Theatre - Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Skopje - Macedonian National Theatre - Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Skopje - Macedonian National Theatre - Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Skopje - Macedonian Opera and Ballet - Garo & Paramecium ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Macedonian Opera and Ballet - Garo & Paramecium ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Macedonian Opera and Ballet - Rade Serbedzija ft. Garo & Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Macedonian Opera and Ballet - Rade Serbedzija ft. Garo & Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - ARM (Army Hall) - Garo Tavitjan & friends concert
- Skopje - ARM (Army Hall) - 40 years anniversary of Garabet Tavitjan ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - ARM (Army Hall) - Hare Krishna concert ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - ARM (Army Hall) - Golden Mask awards event ft. live concert of Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - ARM (Army Hall) - Philharmonic Orchestra ft. Garo Tavitjan
- Skopje - Macedonian at the new Philharmonic Hall - Rade Serbedzija ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Macedonian at the new Philharmonic Hall - Nina Badric ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Macedonian at the new Philharmonic Hall - Sergej Cetkovic ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - 19:19 Recital Hall
- Skopje Theatre of Drama
- Skopje Theatre of Drama
- Skopje Theatre of Drama
- Skopje Theatre of Drama
- Skopje Theatre of Drama
- Skopje Theatre of Drama
- Skopje Theatre of Drama
- Skopje - Hard Rock Cafe Skopje - Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Skopje - Hard Rock Cafe Skopje
- Skopje - MKC - Cultural Center - Rock for Peace
- Skopje - MKC - Cultural Center - Hare Krishna event
- Skopje - City Square - New Year's Eve
- Skopje - City Square - Benefit concert for Autism organisation
- Skopje - City Square - Garo & Paramecium ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - City Square - Macedonia Forever concert ft. Tavitjan Brothers & Karolina & Kaliopi
- Skopje - City Square - Independence Day ft. Garo & Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - City Square - Basketball celebrating event ft. Garo & Tavitjan Brothers & Kaliopi
- Skopje - City Square - Tavitjan Brothers ft. Aki Rahimovski at Vinoskop
- Skopje - Suli An - Garo & Paramecium ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Suli An - Garabet ft. Tavitjan Brothers
- Skopje - Kapan An - Tavitjan Brothers concert
- Skopje - Kursumli An - Garabet Tavitjan ft. Garo Tavitjan
And many other countries.
Play Classics Project
Garo, in collaboration with pianist Diran Tavitjan, performs as part of the duo Tavitjan Brothers. In 2013, they created the project Play Classics, a concert program that features classical compositions by Chopin, Mozart, Khachaturian, Bach, Paganini, Beethoven, and Liszt reinterpreted with jazz arrangements, irregular rhythmic structures, and odd time signatures. The project was released by Paramecium Records and Croatia Records.
The world premiere of Play Classics was held in Switzerland, with subsequent notable performances at the Armenian Philharmonic Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Tavitjan Brothers have toured the project internationally, performing with symphony orchestras in concert halls across Slovenia, Armenia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Bulgaria, Italy, France, Croatia, and Poland.
International reviews
Tavitjan's concerts and albums, both as a solo artist and with the Tavitjan Brothers, have been reviewed in publications such as Austrian Concerto Magazine (4 reviews with 5 stars)
, American All About Jazz, German Jazz Dimensions, Croatian T-Portal , Bosnian Barikada , Serbian Kolubarske.RS, Croatian Nacional.HR, American Mirror Spectator, Czech Orer Magazine, American Jazz Corner, Armenian News.am, Russian Magazine, Armenian-European Orer Magazine, Armenian Aravot Magazine, American Jazz Times, European Orer Magazine, Armenian Armjazz, Armenian News.am, Russian Magazine Journal Digest Expedition, Bulgarian Magazine Dnevnik, Serbian Magazine pink (Serbia), Croatian Magazine Ravno do dna, Armenian Times Haykakan Zhamanak, Armenian-Russian ÃÂþòþõ òÃÂõüÃÂ, The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, Bosnian Balkaniym.tv, Serbian Vesti.rs, Serbian Danas.rs, Blic.rs, British Londynek News, Swiss Jazzphone, Croatian T-portal, Croatian Jazz HR, Armenian A1plus, Armenian Style News, Bulgarian Music Portal, Bosnian Dnevni list, Serbian Hello Magazine Color Media International French L'Express, Swiss Jazz n more, Russian ÃÂïâÃÂÃÂæÃÂ, European Jazz Forum Magazine, Russian Jazz Magazine ÃÂöð÷.ÃÂÃÂ, Armenian Azad Hye, Italian La Voce (magazine), Croatian Urban Cult Magazine, Serbian Politika, Armenian Armenpress, Armenian 1in.am, Armenian Arm Jazz, Serbian Novosti a.d., Croatian T-Portal, Slovenian Siol Magazine, Russian Rusarminfo, Russian-Armenian Yerkramas, Russian-Armenian Russian-Armenian Magazine, Russian-Armenian Arminfo Russian-Armenian Golos Armenii, Russian Arm Museum, Russian Armenia Tourism Magazine, Russian-Armenian Armradio, Montenegro Vijesti, Armenian Tomsarkgh, Croatian Croatian Music Channel News Magazine, Serbian Atastars, Armenian Panorama Magazine Serbian EMG Magazine Serbian Clubbing Magazine Serbian B92 Spainsh Junior Eurovision Song Contest Magazine Japan Elssur Armenian Public Television of Armenia Armenia News Armenia Armenia Style News Russian Orer Russian Yerkramas Armenian Golos Armenii Armenian-Russian ÃÂþòþõ òÃÂõüàArmenian News Armenia Armenian Golos Armenii Armenian Golos Armenii
Worldwide endorsements
Garo Tavitjan is an official endorser for Modern Drummer, Drummerworld, Zildjian, Vic Firth, Evans by D'Addario, Drum Talk TV,Cympad, X-Percussion, RTom, Thomann, and Ford.
Garo has recorded exclusive video content featuring demonstrations of polyrhythms and improvisations. These videos have included collaborations with Grammy AwardâÂÂwinning artists such as guitarist Frank Gambale, guitarist Oz Noy, saxophonist Eric Marienthal, guitarist Mike Stern, percussionist Diran Tavitjan, bassist Fernando Saunders, keyboardist Morris Pleasure, singer Clivia Tanisi, and percussionist Rhani Krija.
The particular work has been published worldwide by a variety of prominent music and global drumming media outlets, including:
- Magazines & Publications: Modern Drummer, Off Beat
- Online Platforms & Media Channels: Drummerworld, Drum Talk TV, Drum Trainer Berlin, Drum Dog
- Major Instrument & Accessory Brands: Vic Firth, Zildjian, Evans, Cympad, RTOM
Songwriting
Songs (and arrangements) written by Garo Tavitjan
JAZZ & WORLD (ft. Grammy winning artists)
- Nadja's Life - Garo ft. Mike Stern, Diran Tavitjan, Clivia Tanisi & Fernando Saunders
- Revitalization - Garo ft. Frank Gambale & Diran Tavitjan
- Spectrum of choices - Garo ft. Eric Marienthal, Diran Tavijan, Oz Noy, Rhani Krija and Morris Pleasure
- Attracted by sound - Garo ft. Andrea Palazzo, Diran Tavitjan & Vasil Hadzimanov
- Train to somewhere - Garo ft. Georgi Sareski & Diran Tavitjan
- Funky Jazz - Garo ft. Vlatko Stefanoski, Diran Tavitjan & Vasko Bojadziski
- Personal View - Garo ft. Toni Kitanovski & Aleksandar Ikonomov
- Ask for more - Garo ft. Zlatko Crvenkovski & Darko Muchev
- Alebria - Garo Tavitjan
- Alebria - Garo Tavitjan
- Expressions - Garo Tavitjan
- Nadja's Fireflies - Garo Tavitjan
- Alebria - Garo Tavitjan
- Lightwave - Garo Tavitjan
- Child of light - Garo Tavitjan
- Celebrating sky - Garo Tavitjan
- Scofield Funk - Garo Tavitjan
- Inner scope - Garo Tavitjan
POP
- Probudi se na cas - Oliver Mandic ft. Bebi Dol
- Tivka nokj - Andrijana Janevska & Eva
- Ocean Dream - Paula C
- New Day - Kaliopi
- Od utre ili zadutre - Eva Nedinkovska
- Sever i Jug - Eva Nedinkovska
- Alibi - Eva Nedinkovska
- Hipnoza - Eva Nedinkovska
- Talisman - Eva Nedinkovska
- Toj ne moze bez tebe - Eva Nedinkovska
- Enigma - Eva Nedinkovska
- Za ljubov stvoreni - Eva Nedinkovska
- Za ljubov stvorevni - Jazz version - Eva Nedinkovska
- Taan i Med - Eva Nedinkovska
- Ajde igraj - Eva Nedinkovska
- Poletaj so mene - Antonija Andonovska (M2)
- Earthquake Tornado - Snowblack
- Ke se kaes - Dimitar Andonovski
- Nema spas za nas - Fani Hristova
- Qele ertang - Gayane Gorsha
- Za nas - Brejk
- Za nas - Nokaut
- Za nas - Log Out
- Trafika Mala - Tamara, Perre & Fic (Studeni noze)
- Mozaik bez kraj - Gjoko Taneski
- Edinstven - Dejan Popov (M2)
- Aleksandra Pileva - Nazad nemoj da se vrtis
- Aleksandra Pileva - Svetlina
- Karolina - Remembering
- Ljupka Arsovska - Son sum sonila
ELECTRO
- Urban Groove - Garo Tavitjan
- Break it down one time - Garo Tavitjan
- Where I am - Garo Tavitjan
- Find yourself - Garo Tavitjan
- Ultramatic - Garo Tavitjan
- Hurry Up - Garo Tavitjan
- Human dance - Garo Tavitjan
- World of enemies - Garo Tavitjan
- Goa Herz - Garo Tavitjan
- Imortal People - Garo Tavitjan
- Elektric City - Garo Tavitjan
- Ultra Violence - Garo Tavitjan
Arrangements:
- Gradel Ilija Manastir - Sergej Cetkovic
- Snosti sakav da ti dojdam - Aki Rahimovski & Goran Bregovic
- Eh kade e mojto libe - Antonija Sola
- Ajde slusaj slusaj - Vlatko Lozanovski
- So maki sum se rodila - Karolina Goceva
- Energija - Miki Jovanovski Djafer
- Ramiz Jusufi Ciki - Goltka za kraj
- Ironija - Eva Nedinkovska
- Ego Trip - Eva Nedinkovska
- Zelba - Rebeka
- Leto - Rebeka
- Tvoja bih bila - Tijana Dapcevic
- Kazi mi - DNK
- Eden ubav den - Simona Dimitrova
- Revolution - Chedomir
- Don't stop now - Snowblack (Garo also as co-author)
Additional pop songs:
- Mohanji - Re-Imagine (World famous mystic guru)
- Boyana Fabel - Jano Mori
- Boyana Fabel - Everything
- Rebeka - Nesto Ubavo
- Karolina - Ke bide se vo red
- Karolina - Od nas zavisi (Eurosong in Tallinn)
- Magdalena Cvetkovska - Mozam ako sakam (M2)
- Aleksandra Pileva - Te sakam (M2)
- Kaliopi - Edno ime imame
- Agon feat. Maja Sazdanovska
- DNK - Blagodaram jas odnapred - (acoustic version)
Theatre music:
- Alexandar (Directed by Ljubisa Gjorgievski)
- Doni Dark (Directed by Robert Ristov)
And many other songs
Official Videos
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Rade Serbedzija - Mile Pop Jordanov
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Sergej Cetkovic - Gradel Ilija Manastir
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Aki Rahimovski & Goran Bregovic - Snosti sakav da ti dojdam
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Nina Badric - Ne kazuvaj libe dobra nokj
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Massimo Savic - Eleno Kjerko
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Hari Varasanovic - Da sum bistra voda majko
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Zeljko Bebek - Jovano Jovanke
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Karolina Goceva - Dafino vino crveno
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat.Oliver Dragojevic - Bitola moj roden kraj
- Garo & Tavitjan Brothers - A Bre Makedonce
- Tavitjan Brothers - Treasure
- Tavitjan Brothers - New York
- Tavitjan Brothers & Oliver Mandic- Probudi se na cas
- Garo Tavitjan - Urban Groove
- Garo Tavitjan ft. Kaliopi - New Day
- Garo Tavitjan ft. Paula C - Ocean Dream
- Garo Tavitjan ft. Mike Stern, Diran Tavitjan, Clivia Tanisi & Fernando Saunders - Nadja's Life
- Garo Tavitjan ft. Frank Gambale & Diran Tavitjan - Revitalization
- Garo Tavitjan ft. Eric Marienthal, Diran Tavijan, Oz Noy, Rhani Krija and Morris Pleasure - Spectrum of choices
- Garo Tavitjan ft. Diran Tavitjan - Distand Land
As a special guest on official music videos of:
- Damjan Pejcinovski ft. Tavitjan Brothers - Entangled by spacetime
- DNK - Blagodaram jas odnapred
- DNK - (live official music video)
- Urbana Dimenzija & Toni Zen - Zivot
- Kristina Arnaudova - Tvoja do kraj
- Macedonian Stars - Makedonija
- Gjorgi Krstevski - Ljubov e
- DNK ft. Zhile - Pazi dete
- Vo mojot svet - Anthem
- Arian Dema - Beautiful Day
- Arian Dema - I go home
- Ramiz Jusufi ft. Arian Dema & Garo Tavitjan - Goltka za kraj
- Cult Club ft. Darko Rundek, Srdjan Gojkovic Gile, Davor Gobac, Davorin Bogovic, Julie Reljic, Diran Tavitjan, Garo Tavitjan and Bodan Arsovski - Polja Cudesa
- Cult Club ft. Julie Reljic, Carla Antonia Trescher, Diran Tavitjan & Garo Tavitjan - Game to play
Theater compositions
Tavitjan has composed music for theatre productions, including Alexander (directed by Ljubisa Georgievski) and Doni Dark (directed by Robert Ristov). For Alexander, he performed percussion and drum set across seven live performances in the theatre.
Recognition & Awards
Garo Tavitjan is profiled on Drummerworld, an American drumming community and website that lists approximately 500 notable drummers and reports having about 150,000 members worldwide. Drummerworld hosts video performances of Garo Tavitjan that are accessible internationally.
The Tavitjan Brothers have been recognized by the Mother Teresa Memorial House with a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to Macedonian culture.
Golden Lady Bug (Zlatna Buba Mara)
- 2006 - Garo Tavitjan - Jazz album of the year
- 2008 - Tavitjan Brothers - Concert of the year
- 2009 - Garo & Tavitjan Brothers - Best project of the year
- 2009 - Garo & Tavitjan Brothers - Best music video of the year
- 2011 - Garo & Tavitjan Brothers - Best project of the year
- 2011 - Tavitjan Brothers - Best producers of the year
- 2015 - Tavitjan Brothers - International success
- 2022 - Tavitjan Brothers - Best Jazz collaboration of the year
Mars awards
- 2012 - Garo & Tavitjan Brothers - Ambassadors of the year
In the world of the success - Golden mask awards
- 2009 - Tavitjan Brothers - International success of the year
European ambassadors of Jazz Awards
- 2015 - Armenian Jazz Ambassadors
Armenian Hall of Fame
- 2015 - Garo Tavitjan, Diran Tavitjan & Goran Gesovski
Historical achievements
Garo Tavitjan Jr. is an Armenian-Macedonian drummer, composer, and educator. His career is noted for a series of performance and commercial achievements cited as firsts for a musician from North Macedonia.
Career and Milestones
Commercial and Product Firsts
- Tavitjan is recognized as the first musician from North Macedonia to secure major international endorsement deals, serving as an endorsing artist for Zildjian, Vic Firth, Sonor, X-Percussion, RTOM, D'Addario, and Ford (regionally). In collaboration with luthier Goran Siljanoski, he developed the first commercially produced Macedonian snare drum, a signature model made from native woods. He is also credited with creating the first solo drum project based on traditional Macedonian and Balkan rhythms (e.g., 7/8, 9/8, 11/8).
Domestic Performance Firsts in North Macedonia
- 2008: With his brother Diran as the Tavitjan Brothers, performed the first completely sold-out jazz concert at Skopje's Universal Hall.
- City-Wide Tour: The Tavitjan Brothers trio became the first jazz ensemble to perform public concerts on the main square of every major city in the country.
- Largest Concert: With his brother and father Garo Sr., performed at what is reported to be the largest concert in Macedonian history at the city stadium, with over 61,000 attendees for Independence Day celebrations.
International Concerts Performance Firsts
The Tavitjan Brothers are cited as the first Macedonian-Armenian jazz act to achieve the following abroad:
- Sold-Out Concerts in Major Venues:
- 2010: First Macedonian/Armenian sold-out jazz concerts at the Blue Note jazz club in New York City.
- 2011: First Macedonian/Armenian sold-out concert at the Sava Centar in Belgrade, Serbia.
- 2014: First Macedonian/Armenian sold-out jazz concert by a Macedonian act at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Festival Appearances and Tours:
- First jazz act from the region to perform at the EXIT Festival (Novi Sad, Serbia).
- First Balkan jazz act to complete a tour in Armenia.
- First Macedonian-Armenian jazz band to undertake a tour in Germany.
- First Macedonian/Armenian jazz fusion trio from the region to complete a tour of Croatia, playing both solo concerts and festivals.
Venue Debuts:
- First act from the region to perform at New York venues Nublu and The Drummer's Collective.
- First Macedonian-Armenian jazz trio to perform concerts in London.
- First such trio to perform at a music festival in Tirana, Albania.
- First to perform at jazz festivals and solo concerts in Switzerland.
Sold-Out International Halls:
- First sold-out performance by a Macedonian-Armenian jazz act at the Bulgarian National Philharmonic Hall.
- First sold-out jazz performances at Cankarjev Dom and the Slovenian Philharmonic Hall in Ljubljana.
- First commercial signature product for a jazz musician: Received a signature branded wine from the TikveÃ
¡ company.
- First major stadium performance: Garo & Tavitjan Brothers served as the opening act for the inaugural ceremony of the national City Stadium in Skopje (2009).
- First global industry recognition for a Macedonian drummer: Featured in the worldwide drumming encyclopedia Drummerworld, in Modern Drummer magazine publications, and on Drum Talk TV.
- First international jazz publishing: The Tavitjan Brothers are noted as the first jazz brand from the region to be featured in American Jazz Times and to publish work with Mezzo Productions for European and Asian markets.
- First collaborations: Garo is recognized as the first artist from Macedonia to perform and record with Grammy-winning artists, including Rhani Krija, Eric Marienthal, Frank Gambale, Mike Stern, Oz Noy, the Jazz Ambassadors, Morris Pleasure, Fernando Saunders, and Dave Weckl.
First awards for a jazz act:
Best Jazz Album (Garo Tavitjan, 2006)
Best Jazz Concert (Tavitjan Brothers, 2008)
Best Jazz Collaboration (Tavitjan Brothers, 2022)
Discography
Solo albums
- Garo Tavitjan - Urban Groove (Quorum, Paramecium Production)
- Garo Tavitjan - Personal View (Paramecium Production)
- Garo Tavitjan - Macedonian Rhythms & Improvisation (Paramecium Production)
Albums with his group Tavitjan Brothers:
- Tavitjan Brothers - One Mike Session (Paramecium Production)
- Tavitjan Brothers - Standards (Paramecium Production)
- Tavitjan Brothers - Play Classics (Paramecium Production, Croatia Records)
Albums with Garabet & Tavitjan Brothers:
- Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 - Vol.1 (Paramecium Production, Croatia Records, City Records)
- Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 - Vol.2 (Paramecium Production)
- Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 - Vol.1 (Skopsko edition)
- Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 - Vol.2 (Skopsko edition)
Albums with Garo & Paramecium:
- Garo & Paramecium - Best of (Paramecium Production)
- Garo & Paramecium - A Bre Makedonce (Makedonski Telekom)
- Garo & Paramecium - A Bre Makedonce - Tea Edition
Albums as a special guest performer and composer
Car endorsement
In 2010, Tavitjan became a brand ambassador for Ford Motor Company in North Macedonia. As part of the partnership, Ford produced a custom-wrapped vehicle featuring Tavitjan's signature and drumstick graphics for promotional use. According to Octanes magazine, he was the first instrumental musician in Macedonia to secure an automotive brand partnership.
Worldwide TV Interviews
Garo Tavitjan has been a special guest and featured in interviews on international television stations, including networks in:
- Armenia
- Russia
- United States
- England
- Switzerland
- Italy
- France
- Bulgaria
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Serbia
- Macedonia
- Albania
- Bosnia
- Qatar
- Montenegro
- Brazil
Name of Television stations where Garo Tavitjan was broadcast are:
- Voice of America - Washington - New York - L.A
- Armenia TV: A major private, widely viewed channel.
- Shant TV: A major Armenian television network.
- ATV (Armenia): A popular private entertainment channel.
- Kentron TV: A Yerevan-based channel.
- 5TV: A Yerevan-based broadcaster.
- Armnews TV: A channel focused on news.
- Dar 21: A channel focusing on music and youth entertainment.
- Shoghakat TV: A spiritual-cultural public television station.
- Pro Life TV - Armenian TV
- Al Jazeera TV: Qatar - Doha
- Al Jazeera TV: Bosnia - Balkan
- Bulgarian National Television (BNT): The public broadcaster operating four main channels: BNT 1 (general), BNT 2 (culture/regional), BNT 3 (sports), and BNT 4 (international).
- Balkanika Music Television (Balkanika MTV) is a prominent Bulgarian-based music channel focused on promoting contemporary music from the Balkan region, featuring genres from pop and hip-hop to modern folk.
- Canal Alpha: The main local TV station for Neuchâtel and the Jura region, offering live, online streaming, and local, thematic, and magazine programs.
- Radio Television Suisse (RTS): While national, RTS 1 and RTS 2 provide regional coverage for French-speaking Switzerland.
- Music of Armenia TV - London (UK)
- IN TV: Features music, entertainment, and pop culture news.
- National/Public Service: RTS 1, RTS 2, RTS 3, RTS Svet (Radio Television of Serbia).
- National/Private: RTV Pink, Prva, Happy TV, B92.
- Regional: RTV1, RTV2 (Vojvodina), Studio B (Belgrade), RTV Belle Amie (NiÃ
¡).
- News/Information: N1, Nova S.
- K1 Television - Leskovac
- Radio Television of Serbia, also formerly referred to in English as the Serbian Broadcasting Corporation, is Serbia's public national broadcaster.
- TV Kikinda
- TV Valjevo Plus
- VTV Valjevo
- MUZ-TV - Russia
- Music Box - Brazil
- HRT 1: General programming, news, documentaries, and movies.
- Nova TV: General entertainment and news.
- Doma TV: Specialized in series, reality, and soap operas.
- RTL 2: Series, entertainment.
- INTV - Croatia
- Televizija.hr (associated with Primorsko-goranska TV) focuses on the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County area.
- TV Nova Pula is a prominent regional television station based in Pula, Croatia, serving the Istria, Primorje-Gorski Kotar counties, and Kvarner islands.
- Tele Quattro - Trieste
- RTV Slovenija (Public): Operates TV SLO 1 (generalist), TV SLO 2 (sports/niche), and TV SLO 3 (parliamentary).
- PRO PLUS (Commercial): Operates the most-watched channels, including POP TV and Kanal A.
- Planet TV (Commercial): Features three channels: Planet, Planet 2, and Planet Eva, focusing on entertainment and news.
See also
References
External links