Isfar Sarabski conquers Europe

The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) has organised a jazz and cocktail evening at the Concert Noble – one of the most exclusive venues at the heart of the Brussels European district. The event featured the world-class 21-year-old Azerbaijani musician Isfar Sarabsky, Winner of the Montreux Jazz Solo Piano Competition 2009. His dazzling and exciting performance attracted plaudits from over 150 high-level European politicians, businessmen and other stakeholders, alongside jazz aficionados, musicians and critics. Sarabsky performed with Alexander Mashin (drums) and Makar Novikov (bass).

Miroslav Mikolášik, MEP (EPP, Slovakia) said: “Such events as this serve to build ties between Azerbaijan and Europe. As I come from another new country – Slovakia – I understand the importance of developing these links on all levels. I visited Baku last year, and was delighted to meet many well-educated young people. Azerbaijan is developing very quickly, and its jazz reflects the country, where history and traditions are respected, yet new concepts are embraced and assimilated. Azerbaijan has great potential, will be a driving force for the future, and I do not doubt that it will succeed on all levels.”

Roman Huna, newly-appointed Head of TEAS Brussels, emphasised the essential nature of TEAS` presence in Brussels on a political level, commenting: “TEAS, a non-governmental organisation, has several offices across Europe. Its objective is to promote Azerbaijan in cultural, business and political terms.”

Tale Heydarov, Chairman and Founder, TEAS, continued: “Tonight`s event is dedicated to the promotion of Azerbaijani jazz. There has been a fusion of jazz with Azerbaijani folk music, known as mugham, since the 1960s. At the time, Azerbaijan was still part of the Soviet Union, and the authorities did not welcome the development of music with a western influence. Such relations with the west are continuing, with the development of strong and stable economic ties since Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991. The country has great potential for further development, and is coming closer to Europe to achieve its goals. Also, Europe must come closer to Azerbaijan to benefit from its success.”

Following this, Sabina Rakcheyeva, Cultural Advisor, TEAS, and Member of the European Cultural Parliament, introduced the musicians. Sarabsky`s concert represented a wide range of influences, including such jazz standards as Bobby Timmons` Moanin`, J.S. Bach`s Air in D Major (from Orchestral Suite No.3), a rhapsody on themes from Tchaikovsky`s Swan Lake Ballet, and March by Vagif Mustafazade, who developed jazz-mugham in the 1960s.

/AzerTAc/