Raffi Garabedian Quartet
Tenor saxophonist and composer Raffi Garabedian brings his quartet to The Jazzschool for an evening of atmospheric post-bop and thoughtful improvisation. Known for creating sonic atmospheres through spontaneous composition, Garabedian's work draws from contemporary jazz, free improvisation, and modern creative traditions — a sound that's both intimate and exploratory.
Garabedian's recent album The Crazy Dog (2024) earned praise for its warm, graceful tone and personal storytelling. Jazz Weekly described his tenor as swinging "warm and easy on gentle pieces," while All About Jazz noted the album's "folksy" character and rich tribute to heritage and survival. The project — a chamber jazz song cycle inspired by his grandparents' letters about fleeing the Armenian genocide and his father's historical fiction — reveals Garabedian's approach: melody-driven, emotionally attuned, and rooted in openness and curiosity.
His quartet typically features pianist Dahveed Behroozi, bassist David Ewell, and drummer Hamir Atwal (or Tim Bulkley), a lineup that's appeared at Bay Area venues including Wyldflowr Arts, where Garabedian has held residencies. The group's sound emphasizes collective interplay over solo pyrotechnics, with space for each voice to breathe and contribute to the evolving narrative.
Garabedian has performed and recorded with Brad Mehldau Trio drummer Jorge Rossy, bassist Ben Street, saxophonist Dayna Stephens, and R&B legend Johnny Talbot. He's also a member of the innovative brass band Brass Magic, the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, and SticklerPhonics. As an educator at Sonoma State University and Berkeley High School, he brings the same intentionality to teaching that defines his playing: emphasizing that the "teacher" learns as much from the "student," and that music is about listening, presence, and continuous discovery.
Expect an evening that balances structure and spontaneity, with Garabedian's melodious tenor leading the way through compositions that range from gentle and lyrical to rhythmically engaging. His music invites you into a conversation — one that's both deeply personal and universally resonant.
