Garo Tavitjan


Garo Tavitjan is an Armenian award-winning drummer, composer, arranger, pianist and producer of Armenian descent 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, Sonor, 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, Frank Gambale, Oz Noy, Morris Pleasure, Fernando Saunders, Larry Monroe, The Jazz Ambassadors, Roseanna Vitro, Dean Brown, Lee Roy, Clivia Tanisi, Rhani Krija, Andrea Palazzo, James East, Dave Weckl, 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 Šerbedžija, Jelena Tomasevic, Aleksandra Radovic, Zele Lipovaca, Darko Rundek, Davor Gobac, Julie Reljic, Davorin Bogović, Srđan Gojković Gile, Boris Novkovic etc.
FB GaroTavitjan

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. 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 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, Nublu, Drummers Collective, 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, Dusseldorf, Essen, Viersen Dortmund, etc. They performed at Sava Centar in Belgrade, Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana, philharmonic hall in Ljubljana, philharmonic hall in Sofia, Bansko Jazz Festival, Exit Festival in Novi Sad, SKC in Belgrade, Atejle 212 in Belgrade, philharmonic hall in Nish, city square in Tirana, 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.

Macedonian heart beats in 7/8 - concert and album

On Independence Day in Skopje, Garo & Tavitjan Brothers held a major concert at the stadium Toše Proeski Arena with an attendance of 61,000. The event featured numerous special guests from across the Balkans, including Josipa Lisac, Željko Bebek, Boris Novković, Aleksandra Radović, Hari Varešanović, Jelena Tomasevic, Nina Badrić, Sergej Ćetković, Antonija Šola, Esma Redžepova, Risto Samardžiev, Rhani Krija, Karolina Gočeva, Kaliopi, Dado Topić, 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, Josipa Lisac's Etno & Suradnje, and Željko Bebek's Anthology 40 and Dueti, Best of Croatia Records, Various Artists - Collection of Croatia Records, Various Artists - Taste the music from Macedonia - Third Ear Records etc.

Tribute to Michael Jackson project

Garo and Diran Tavitjan were invited by American keyboardist and music director Morris Pleasure—known for his work with Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, and Ray Charles—to 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 Colaboration

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
  • USA - New York - Carnegie Hall
  • USA - L.A - Staples Center
  • USA - NY - Madison Square Garden
  • 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
  • USA - Boston - Drum Fest
  • 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 - Dusseldorf - Open festival
  • Germany - Koln - Stadtgarten
  • Germany - Essen - Jazz fest
  • Germany - Dusseldorf - Schlachthof
  • Germany - Dusseldorf - Schlachthof
  • Germany - Dusseldorf - Schlachthof
  • Germany - Viersen - Cultural Center
  • Germany - Dortmund - Jazz fest
  • Germany - Munich - Worldmusic fest
  • Austria - Wien - T-ON Music Center - Live sessions & CWE
  • France - Paris - Music performance center
  • France - Paris - International Cultural Center
  • 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
  • Romania - Bucharest - Jazz Festival
  • Romania - Open Jazz Fest
  • Georgia - Tbilissi - Music Fest
  • Norway - Oslo - Bare Jazz fest
  • Norway - Oslo - National scene
  • Norway - Oslo - Koncerthus
  • Sweeden - Stockholm - Rock for peace festival
  • 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
  • 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
  • Bulgaria - Bansko Jazz fest
  • Bulgaria - Bansko Jazz fest
  • Bulgaria - Ruse - Jazz fest
  • Bulgaria - Plovdiv - Cultural centre
  • Albania - Tirana - City Square Beer fest
  • 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
  • Bitola - Cultural Center
  • Bitola - Tumbe Kafe
  • 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 - Garo & Tavitjan Brothers feat. Balkan singers
  • Skopje - City Stadium - Zeljko Joksimovic ft. Tavitjan Brothers
  • Skopje - City Stadium - Opening of stadium
  • 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 ft. Garo & Tavitjan Brothers in live
  • Skopje - Universal Hall - Golden Lady Bug 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 - Garo Tavitjan & friends concert
  • Skopje - ARM - 40 years anniversary of Garabet Tavitjan ft. Tavitjan Brothers
  • Skopje - ARM - Hare Krishna concert ft. Tavitjan Brothers
  • Skopje - ARM - Golden Mask awards event ft. live concert of Tavitjan Brothers
  • Skopje - ARM - 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
, American All About Jazz, German Jazz Dimensions, Croatian T-Portal, Bosnian Barikada
, Serbian Kolubarske.RS, Croatian Nacional.HR, American Mirror Spectator, Czechoslovakian 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 Новое_время, 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 ПЯТНИЦА, European Jazz Forum Magazine, Russian Jazz Magazine Джаз.ру, 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 etc.

Worldwide Endorsements

Garo Tavitjan is an official endorser for Modern Drummer, Drummerworld, Zildjian, Vic Firth, Evans by D'Addario (manufacturer), Drum Talk TV,Cympad, X-Percussion, RTom, Thomann (retailer), and Sonor.
Garo has recorded exclusive video content featuring demonstrations of polyrhythms and improvisations. These videos have included collaborations with Grammy Award–winning 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 writen by Garo Tavitjan
JAZZ & WORLD
  • 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 mote - Garo ft. Zlatko Crvenkovski & Darko Muchev
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
  • Earthquake Tornado - Snowblack
  • Ke se kaes - Dimitar Andonovski
  • Nema spas za nas - Fani Hristova
  • Qele ertang - Gayane Gorsha
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
;Pop songs co-writen with Nikola Pereski:
  • Za nas - Brejk
  • Za nas - Nokaut
  • Za nas - Log Out
  • Trafika Mala - Tamara, Perre & Fic
  • Mozaik bez kraj - Gjoko Taneski
  • Edinstven - Dejan Popov
;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
;Theatre music:
  • Alexandar
  • Doni Dark
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 -
  • 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 and Doni Dark. 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
  • 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

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. 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.
;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.
  • 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 Tikveš company.
  • First major stadium performance: Garo & Tavitjan Brothers served as the opening act for the inaugural ceremony of the national City Stadium in Skopje.
  • 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
Best Jazz Concert
Best Jazz Collaboration

Discography

; Solo albums
  • Garo Tavitjan - Urban Groove
  • Garo Tavitjan - Personal View
  • Garo Tavitjan - Macedonian Rhythms & Improvisation
; Albums with his group Tavitjan Brothers:
  • Tavitjan Brothers - One Mike Session
  • Tavitjan Brothers - Standards
  • Tavitjan Brothers - Play Classics
; Albums with Garabet & Tavitjan Brothers:
  • Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 - Vol.1
  • Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 - Vol.2
  • Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 - Vol.1
  • Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8 - Vol.2
; Albums with Garo & Paramecium:
  • Garo & Paramecium - Best of
  • Garo & Paramecium - A Bre Makedonce
  • Garo & Paramecium - A Bre Makedonce - Tea Edition
; Albums as a special guest performer and composer
  • Diran Tavitjan - Treasure
  • Josipa Lisac - Etno & Suradnje
  • Hari Mata Hari & Prijatelji
  • Rade Serbedzija CD & LP - Ne okreci se sine
  • Zeljko Bebek - Anthology 40 years
  • Zeljko Bebek - Duets
  • Doc Heyne - Fia
  • Jelena Tomasevic - Best Of
  • Chromatic Point - Sliki od starata kukja
  • Tijana Dapcevic - Zuta minuta
  • Various Artists - Best of 2010
  • Various Artists - Promo Srpanj-Kolovoz 2010
  • Various Artists - Croatian World Music
  • Various Artists - Taste the music from Macedonia
  • Various Artists - Mezzo Collection
  • Various Artists - Jazz from Macedonia
  • Karolina Goceva - Od nas zavisi
  • Various Artists - Eurovision Song Contest Estonia 2002
  • Various Artists - Skopje Eurosong 2002
  • Gjoko Taneski - Nikogas Dosta
  • Various Artists - Makedonija Zasekogaš 2008
  • Eva Nedinkovska - Talisman
  • Various Artists - Riznica Volume 1
  • Various Artists - Riznica Volume 2
  • DNK - Pazi Dete
  • DNK - In Live from Metropolis Arena
  • Rebeka - Nesto Ubavo
  • Rebeka - Mi mirisa na son
  • Rebeka - Best of Rebeka
  • Kristina Arnaudova - Zemi me
  • Tanja Stankovic and Friends - Christmas Songs
  • Lambe Alabakovski - More od solzi
  • Lambe Alabakovski - Vrati mi go srceto
  • Various - Potraga po zvezdi
  • Various - Potraga po sozvezdie

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.