The Caspian Sea whispers against sun-kissed shores, while ancient alleyways in Baku’s Old City hum with the echoes of forgotten caravans. Then, a piano’s soulful sounds pierces the air, blending seamlessly with the intricate melodies of the tar, Azerbaijan’s beloved stringed instrument. This is no mirage, but the captivating heartbeat of modern Mugham Jazz, a fusion that pulsates through the vibrant music venues of Baku.
In art stages of Baku following footsepts of Vagif Mustafazadeh, tradition embraces the avant-garde, and ancient musical threads weave through the tapestry of contemporary jazz. Mugham, Azerbaijan’s traditional music, with its intricate improvisations and vocals, finds new life in the hands of innovative artists/mucisians who breathe fire into its centuries-old melodies. Here is my list of a top 10 Mugham Jazz fusions/improvisation by Azerbaijani jazzmen for cultural experience in music venues of Baku.
Firangiz (F+Giz) by Shahin Novrasli
Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Novrasli’s musical roots lie deep in the traditions of mugham. Yet, his heart beats to the rhythm of jazz, having honed his craft in the bustling music scene of New York City. In his compositions, Novrasli creates the intricate melodies of mugham, with their microtonal nuances and emotional depth, intertwine with the syncopated rhythms and harmonic freedom of jazz. Each note becomes a bridge, connecting East and West, tradition and innovation. Listen to Firangiz from the album called Bayatı (March 2022)
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFngUI57Kl8
Novruz by Isfar Sarabski
Isfar Sarabski, a keyboard maestro whose fingers weave magnetic soundscapes where electronica thrums and mugham echoes. Born in Baku, Sarabski has inherited the soul of mugham from his legendary great grandfather, Huseynqulu Sarabski who performed Majnun in Uzeyir Hajibeyov’s Leyli and Majnun Opera in 1908. Yet, his heart beats to the rhythm of the present, fueled by the pulsating energy of electronic music. Stay tuned to his award wining jazz composition called ‘Novruz’ at the 43rd Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10p_F4Uqm4o
Gara Gashin Vesmesi (Eyeliner for Black Eyebrow) by Etibar Asadli
Etibar Asadli’s music carries the soul of mugham in every note. He mastered the traditional melodies of mugham by following the footsteps of the father of Azerbaijani Jazz, Vagif Mustafazadeh. He’s a cultural ambassador, bridging the gap between ancient traditions and the vibrant beat of contemporary life. Yet, his spirit craved innovation, leading him to explore the world of jazz and its boundless freedom. Tune in Gara Gashin Vesmesi (Eyeliner for Black Eyebrow).
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YVYTG5OZgI
Bakuba by Nijat Aslanov & Bakuba Band
Get ready to embark on a musical expedition across continents, where the the land of fire outbursts from the shores of the Caspian Sea meet the vibrant streets of Havana in a sonic embrace. We’re talking about “Bakuba,” a musical masterpiece by Nijat Aslanov & Bakuba Band, where melodies of Cuba salsa with the rhythmic heartbeat of Baku. Nijat Aslanov blends his deep understanding of Azerbaijani music with his fascination with the infectious rhythms of Latin America. The result is a sound that’s both familiar and exotic, a sonic adventure that takes you on a journey without ever leaving your room. Just listen the masterpeice called Bakuba a playfull combination of Baku and Cuba.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCB17gK4kDQ
Fantasy of Vagif by Emil Afrasiyab
This is “Fantasy of Vagif,” a sonic dream painted by Emil Afrasiyab, where the legendary composer Vagif Mustafazadeh dances in a modern masterpiece. Afrasiyab, a contemporary Azerbaijani pianist, isn’t just channeling Mustafazadeh’s spirit; he’s having a conversation with it. The composition opens with a familiar whisper of mugham, the intricate microtones resonating with the soul of Baku’s ancient labrinthine alleys. Then, a playful jazz melody slinks in, weaving around the traditional framework like a mischievous jinn in a forgotten palace.
So, open your ears and let “Fantasy of Vagif” wash over you. It’s an invitation to a sonic dance floor where mugham takes the lead, jazz follows in step, and Afrasiyab’s imagination orchestrates a breathtaking duet between two musical titans
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ider7R_2EWc
Bonus track of Gul Achdi (trans. flower bloomed) available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ljp9PviNXo
Hardasan by Sevda Alekperzadeh
That’s ‘Haradasan’ (trans ‘Where are you?’) a heart-wrenching jazz ballad by the captivating Sevda Alekperzadeh. This isn’t just music; it’s a whispered prayer, a yearning for love that transcends time and space. Alekperzadeh, a rising star in the Azerbaijani jazz scene, takes the ancient Azerbaijani song and infuses it with the smoky hues of contemporary jazz. Her voice, husky and powerful, channels the pain of separation, the ache of a love lost, but also the enduring hope that keeps the flame alive. Her jazz artistry elevates the melancholic love song to a new level, giving voice to a timeless yearning with the raw power of improvisation and the smoky sensuality of contemporary jazz.
Available (through 14:28 to 27:24): https://youtu.be/xz8Hu8Qo5DI?t=868
Pervane (trans. moth) by Tunzala
Tunzala, a rising voice in the Azerbaijani jazz scene, weaves a sonic tapestry of light and shadow with her mesmerizing vocals. Her voice, ethereal and smoky, flits around the melody like a moth drawn to a candle, embodying the fragility and yearning expressed in the song’s title. The music hums with a simmering tension, a slow-burning jazz piano providing the canvas for Tunzala’s vocal artistry. Subtle hints of traditional mugham scales linger in the air, adding a layer of ancient allure to the contemporary jazz soundscape in Baku.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQpVebwsdpA
Bonus track called Gul Achdi (trans. flower bloomed) available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtlVyDbAE-I
Bayati-Kurd Harmonies by Rafiq Babayev
This is ‘Bayati-Kurd Harmonies,’ Rafiq Babayev’s masterpiece, where mugham’s ancient harmonies embrace the rhythmic pulse of modern jazz. In “Bayati-Kurd Harmonies,” he paints a sonic fresco of Baku, where ancient stories resonate in the modern hum of the city. The composition opens with the familiar lament of the bayati-kurd mugham, its microtonal nuances evoking centuries of longing and tales whispered under starry skies. Then, a jazz piano glides in, its syncopated rhythms a modern commentary on the ancient melody.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evzt9yF8X0
Balaban Improvisations by Amin Aliyev
Aliyev, a prodigy who breathes life into the balaban, doesn’t just play – he paints sonic portraits. His fingers dance across the instrument’s wooden skin, coaxing out ancestral melodies that have resonated across steppes and mountains for centuries. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he twists those melodies into jazz riffs, infuses them with the raw energy of rock, and sprinkles them with the playful spirit of Azerbaijani folklore. He breaks down the walls between genres, showing us that the balaban isn’t confined to dusty museums or ancient tales.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNq-TghA73I&t
My Funny Zibeyda by Salman Gambarov
Picture Baku after sundown, the Caspian Sea humming a salty serenade, while smoky jazz clubs pulsate with laughter and rhythmic beats. Salman Gambarov, a Baku native who speaks the language of jazz fluently, infuses the familiar melody with local flavor. That’s where you’ll find the charm of his ‘My Funny Zibeyda,’ a cheeky reimagining of “My Funny Valentine” with an Azerbaijani twist. This isn’t just a jazz song; it’s a Baku blues, a love letter to the city and its quirky, captivating charm.
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSeyZCJvdfg
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