Baku Jazz Festival returns to capital this autumn

By Amina Nazarli - AzerNews 

Music enthusiasts should be excited for this autumn, when the traditional Baku Jazz Festival will bring many of the world’s eminent jazz stars to the city.

Supported by the Culture and Tourism Ministry and Azerbaijan Culture Foundation, the event is scheduled to take place from October 25 to November 3.

The festival opening ceremony will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Palace at 8:00pm on October 25.

The Baku International Jazz Festival is an annual event aimed at showcasing Azerbaijan's long-running attachment to the American-born art form, a connection first established in the country during the 1950s and 1960s, a time when jazz was outlawed by Soviet authorities.

As in the previous years, this year jazz lovers will also enjoy performances by both Azerbaijani and world-renowned musicians, including artists from the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ukraine, and Russia.

Canadian jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall will perform for the Baku audience. Known for her contralto vocals, she sold more than 6 million albums in the US and over 15 million worldwide.

More than 50 years into an already legendary career, famous American jazz musician Charles Lloyd will be sure to stun festivalgoers with his magnificent performances.

American jazz quartet “Fourplay” will also visit Baku. Exploring the limitless possibilities of jazz has allowed the quartet to evolve, drawing musical elements from a wide range of styles, to hone their own unique and innovative sound.

Dutch-Cameroonian singer Ntjam Rosie who sings a mix of pop, jazz, and soul is also sure to be a talk of the town.

Jazz music, conquered the world with its uniqueness is also a favorite musical genre of Baku audiences.

Azerbaijanis got acquainted with this amazing music thanks to the founder of national jazz, the unparalleled virtuoso Vagif Mustafazadeh, who blended traditional jazz with music from the Azerbaijani soul to create his own special type of jazz music -- a fusion of Western jazz music and Azerbaijan’s own mugham.

All concerts will be held at 20:00 on the following schedule: Diana Krall on October 25 at the Heydar Aliyev Palace; Salman Gambarov with his band on October 26 at the International Mugham Center; “Fourplay” on September 27 at the Heydar Aliyev Palace; Jamil Amirov with his group on September 28 at the Rashid Behbudov State Song Theatre; Charles Lloyd on September 30 at the Heydar Aliyev Palace; Emil Afrasiab with his group on September 31at the Muslim Magomayev State Philharmonic; Isfar Sarabski on November 1 at the Heydar Aliyev Palace; Pop Orchestra on November 2 at the Rashid Behbudov State Song Theatre; and Ntjam Rosie on November 3 at the Muslim Magomayev State Philharmonic.

Make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to see these wonderful artists!