Ukrainian pianist, composer, arranger, and teacher Alexey Saranchin, also known by his Ukrainian name Oleksiy Saranchin, died on Wednesday at the age of 54. His death was announced by the kyiv Municipal Academy of Music RM Glière, where he had taught for many years.
A sudden stroke, in the midst of artistic activity
The musician reportedly suffered a sudden and severe stroke. Colleagues mentioned that he fell ill during a rehearsal, before doctors, family, and friends rushed to his aid. Despite their efforts, the pianist did not survive.
A virtuoso trained between Kharkiv and Kyiv
Born on February 13, 1972, in Kharkiv, Alexey Saranchin established himself as one of the leading figures in Ukrainian jazz. Trained in piano from childhood, he continued his studies at the Borys-Liatoshynsky Music College and then at the Kharkiv Conservatory. More unusually, he also possessed a legal background, having earned a degree from Yaroslav the Wise National Law University.
The sound of a generation
From the 1990s onwards, Saranchin actively participated in the emergence of a modern Ukrainian jazz scene. He played with the group Skhid-Side, collaborated with kyiv Big Band, Denis Adu Big Band, the Denys Dudko quintet, as well as with numerous Ukrainian and international musicians.
From TNMK to Vakartchouk, a journey beyond the borders of jazz
His talent extended far beyond the realm of pure jazz. Between 2005 and 2011, he was a member of the Ukrainian group Tanok na Maidani Kongo, known as TNMK, where he played keyboards and percussion. He also collaborated with Sviatoslav Vakartchouk on the Vnochi project, as well as with several other leading artists on the Ukrainian music scene.
Beyond the stage, Alexey Saranchin was also a respected teacher. At the RM Glière Academy of Music in Kyiv, he trained young musicians in jazz piano and transmitted a demanding approach, nourished as much by classical tradition as by modern improvisation.
A composer and arranger, he also created the Blue Horse project, dedicated to the history of jazz in Ukraine, and composed the music for the short film The Ultramarine Bird in 2014. His work, his collaborations and his role as an educator make him a central figure in contemporary Ukrainian musical culture.
A craftsman of the Concerto for Peace in Kyiv
In a story published on Instagram, Omar Harfouch paid an emotional tribute to Alexey Saranchin, whom he introduced as his "musical friend"The composer praised the courage and dignity of the Ukrainian pianist, recalling his commitment during the conducting and recording of the Concerto for Peace in Kyiv, amidst the war and bombing. A simple and personal message, it testifies to the strong artistic bond that united the two musicians.
