Katuner is an Armenian jazz band founded in 2004 by pianist and composer Vahagn Hayrapetyan, a leading figure in Armenian jazz. The group's name, which means “The Cats” in Armenian, evokes their free, fluid and expressive style. Katuner quickly established itself as a pioneer of Armenian ethno-jazz, skilfully blending modern jazz structures with sounds from local folk music, notably through the use of traditional instruments such as the duduk, zurna and shvi.
Over the years, the group has brought together a number of talented musicians and has managed to evolve its line-up while retaining a strong musical identity. Their 2009 album Red Sun perfectly illustrates this fusion of jazz and Armenian traditions, with compositions that are both sophisticated and deeply rooted. After a period of hiatus, Katuner returned to the stage with a new generation of performers, confirming its role as a musical laboratory and bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary creation.