KARO GALADJIAN

Versatility, Sensitivity, Humility, Confidence, Responsibility, and Kindness

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Karo is a versatile drummer, performing regularly with vocalist Maria Schafer (Glenn Miller Orchestra), focusing on elements of straight-ahead and Brazilian jazz styles. They perform at venues across the greater Los Angeles area, including Campus JAX (Newport), The Grape (Ventura), Oeno Vino (Atwater Village), and more, frequently featuring pianists Jeremy Siskind and Andy Langham. They went on a West Coast Tour in 2023, performing at venues and radio shows including Mr. Tipples (San Francisco, CA), Boxley's, Mood Indigo, and Jefferson Public Radio (Bend, OR), and KNKX Public Radio (Seattle, WA). In the contemporary jazz vein, Karo regularly performs with saxophonist Nick Gomez, featuring Zack Caplinger (Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra) and David Reynoso. Karo also performs with Dave Stephens' Band, performing in the style of New Orleans jazz, swing jazz, and jump blues. They're seen regularly at The Drake (Laguna Beach), Pendry Hotel (Newport), and the Ahmanson Theater (Los Angeles). Karo has performed with a diverse roster of artists including Josh Nelson, Francisco Torres, Lia Booth, Marlon Martinez, The Jazz Cartel, Danny Janklow, Ido Meshulam, Andrew Renfroe and more. Karo has performed as a hired ember of Long Beach City College's vocal jazz ensemble, performing at the 2020 Jazz Education Network conference in New Orleans.

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Karo has been busy recently as a recording artist, where he can be heard on Kenneth Brown II and Joshua Childress’ 2022 contemporary jazz album “The Rise”, Nick Gomez’s 2023 album “Patience” featuring Zack Caplinger and David Reynoso, and recently recorded an upcoming album with Maria Schafer featuring pianist Jeremy Siskind in 2024.

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Karo Galadjian’s path of education explains how he developed these qualities. Karo was introduced to jazz music as a late-comer in his early twenties at Los Angeles City College from 2016-2018, under the direction of Tina Raymond, where he received a deep understanding of classical percussion and jazz brushes, being shown how elements of sensitivity are paramount for jazz vocabulary. Raymond instilled an early sense of humility in him, preparing him for the beginnings of a creative music career. When Karo transferred to CSULB for his undergraduate study from 2018-2021, these qualities were amplified as a member of the Concert Jazz Orchestra led by director Jeff Jarvis and studied with world renowned drummer Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth), who both taught him the importance of confidence and responsibility in the music business. During his studies at CSULB, Karo was an annual recipient of the KJazz scholarship. 

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While steadily working in the Los Angeles music scene and between his studies, Karo had also built a rapport with jazz legends Jeff Hamilton and Joe La Barbera, who both serve as constant sources of inspiration and kindness for him. In 2023, Karo began his masters in jazz study at CSUN, where he is currently working again with director Tina Raymond and studying privately with Jason Harnell (Maynard Ferguson) in order to deeply exercise his ongoing abilities as an educator and performer. In addition to regular private students at his in-home studio, Karo also teaches private students at Cal State Northridge. He is currently a recipient of the Herb Alpert scholarship.

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Regardless of the musical scenario, Karo is on a never-ending journey of personal and musical mastery and can’t wait to share the experience with musical partners.