The GTU Famous Jazz Orchestra Held an Anniversary Concert

The Ioseb Tughushi Orchestra of the Georgian Technical University celebrated its 88th anniversary, and the famous “Gepeis Jazz” ensemble marked its 78th anniversary. The university jazz orchestra dedicated its first concert of the spring to the anniversary dates.

The concert, in which the musicians of the old and new generations of the Georgian Technical University Jazz Orchestra, jazz and blues singers participated, was held in the second academic building of the GTU, in the space of the University Public Theater-Studio “Modinakhe”, to a full house.

According to the statement of the Rector of the Georgian Technical University, Academician David Gurgenidze, the legendary jazz orchestra has brought international recognition to the Georgian Technical University and the country on several occasions. According to the rector, the history of the jazz orchestra is not only a chronicle of musical heritage but also an integral part of the university’s cultural identity.

“The Georgian Technical University, the first higher engineering school in Georgia and the Caucasus region, is known for its science and engineering, but its spirit and character are reflected in creative collectives such as our famous jazz orchestra. Maestro Ioseb Tugushi’s orchestra and the legendary jazz band formed on its basis in the 1950s have created a unique synthesis of high professionalism, creative freedom and devotion to traditions over the decades.

I would like to express my special gratitude to the artistic director of the orchestra, each musician, both veteran and young, for their dedication and talent, which made this evening an unforgettable event. The audience’s emotion, the full hall, and the long ovations clearly confirm that the university jazz orchestra is a living legend, which, I am sure, will unite generations in the future and bring many successes to our Alma Mater,” said Rector David Gurgenidze.

Musical Director and Conductor, Maestro Irakli Kalmakhelidze, emphasized the traditions and creative spirit of the University Jazz Orchestra.

“I have connected my life with the “Gepei Jazz Orchestra” since 1968, after I became a student at the Polytechnic Institute. The great maestro Soso Tughushi acquainted this genre with me, and I consider myself to be a faithful follower of his work to this day. In 2018, the university orchestra celebrated its 80th anniversary, and a star named after it was unveiled at the Philharmonic. It was then that the orchestra was named after the maestro. The history of our orchestra begins in the second half of the 1930s, when the brass band was led by Nikoloz Tevzadze, and in the following years by Kote Kargareteli. Later, with the arrival of Dorian Kitia, the golden age began – in 1957, our orchestra became a laureate of the World Youth Festival. Famous composers collaborated with the orchestra: Sandro Mirianashvili, Konstantin Pevzner, Gogi Tsabadze, Shota Milorava, Gia Kancheli, Guram Bzvaneli, and others. Our big band was a kind of forge of Georgian pop music. Here, in the bosom of this orchestra, famous musical duets and trios were created, including Jemal Sukhishvili’s trio, the famous “Gepei quartet” – led by Guram Bzvaneli, Jansug Kakhidze’s “Seven Men”, and the ensemble “Rero”. It should be noted that it was with the “Gepei Jazz Orchestra” that a completely new genre was created at that time – the Master of Ceremonies, whose famous representatives were Bajuli Gelovani, Paata Kakhniashvili, Abesalom Loria, Irakli Mamatsashvili, Kartlos Kasradze, and Gia Chirakadze. Almost all the stars of our pop music have stepped on this stage, including the legendary Nani Bregvadze, Demur Tskitishvili, Sergo Gotsiridze, Niko Jadugishvili, Giuli Chokheli, Jilda Datuashvili, Jano Bagrationi, Eter Kakulia, the Chapichadze sisters, Zura Kobeshavidze, Eka Kvaliashvili, Gia Macharashvili, Temur Tatarashvili, Tekla Kalmakhelidze, Temo Sajaia, Keti Orjonikidze, and many others.

“Our jazz orchestra is now a brand that faithfully continues the old tradition and creates a quality, high-level product, which is impossible to achieve without the support of the university administration. On behalf of the jazz orchestra, I would like to thank the rector of the Georgian Technical University – Academician David Gurgenidze, the chancellor – Professor Carlo Kopaliani, To the President of the University Supervisory Board – Professor Zurab Gudavadze, the vice-rectors – Tamar Tsereteli and Tamar Lominadze, and the entire university community – for their great love, attention, and support”, says maestro Irakli Kalmakhelidze.

According to Badri Lebanidze, Head of the Culture Department of the GTU Student Services, Culture and Sports Department, the University Jazz Orchestra faithfully continues the tradition and, along with a new repertoire, passes on to the new generation the popular Georgian and foreign jazz compositions that were successfully performed by stars of the previous generation.

“We can boldly say that the Georgian Technical University Jazz Orchestra is made up of amazing, very talented musicians of the old and new generation: Irakli Kvanchiani, Temur Maisashvili, famous scientist – professor Amiran Tskitishvili, Kako Vashalomidze, who joined the famous “Gepeis Jazz” since 1974, Irakli Kalmakhelidze, Zurab Tsagareli, Bichiko Kadagishvili, Giorgi Gvalia, Dimitri Lekveishvili, Vakhtang Kalmakhelidze, Roman Pogosov, Valeri Piltakiani, Amiran Martiashvili, Grigol Meladze, Barbare Tsitlauri, Giorgi Zanadze, Akaki Mamaladze, Merab Sanodze, Levan Kvirikashvili, and Tamo Chomakhidze. We have excellent young solo singers who perform Georgian and foreign jazz and blues in an unparalleled manner: Barbara Samkharadze, Giorgi Tatishvili, Sopho Sikharulidze, Nutsiko Merabishvili, Saba Ghurtskaya, Giorgi Tatishvili, and others. It is the performers of different generations of the jazz orchestra who together create that inimitable aura that fascinates and enchants the listener. With great love, we congratulate the Ioseb Tugushi Orchestra and “Gepeis Jazz” on their significant dates”, notes Badri Lebanidze.

It is noteworthy that the Ioseb Tugushi Orchestra of the Georgian Technical University has made a great contribution to the development of pop music and jazz in Georgia since the 1940s and 1950s. For decades, it was precisely through cooperation with the GTU Orchestra that almost all famous singers, composers, and instrumentalists of the old and new generations began their active pop careers and gained international recognition.