In Brussels, Azerbaijan’s Distinctive Jazz Tradition Finds A Wider European Audience

Photo: Azerbaijani jazz musicians perform at Brussels’ renowned Flagey venue during a special concert celebrating Azerbaijan’s rich jazz heritage.

Hitting The Right Notes: That’s Azerbaijani jazz

A special concert in Brussels showcased Azerbaijan’s vibrant jazz tradition, blending Mugham and Western jazz, while promoting the country’s rich musical heritage to European audiences and diplomats.

It may be relatively little known outside of its own borders but the jazz scene in Azerbaijan is particularly vibrant. It is known for its distinctive improvisational style and unique fusion of Eastern musical traditions with Western jazz.

It covers a broad range of styles, including traditional, post-pop and fusion and often features a blend with traditional Azeri music.

The most well-known type of Azerbaijani jazz is  jazz mugham, which includes a sultry combination of Mugham and traditional American jazz.

A Brussels audience was this week treated to a taste of all this at a special concert dedicated solely to Azerbaijani jazz at Flagey.

Highlights

• Brussels hosted a special concert dedicated to Azerbaijani jazz at Flagey.
• Event organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Belgium.
• Featured musicians included Rain Sultanov, Shahin Novrasli, Nicat Pashazade and Hasan Bilalov.
• Azerbaijani jazz blends Mugham with traditional American jazz influences.
• Belgian composer Quentin Dujardin praised Azerbaijan’s unique jazz style.
• Azerbaijan’s jazz tradition dates back to the first Baku Jazz Festival in 1969.
• Baku Jazz Centre continues supporting jazz culture development.
• Concert attracted diplomats, EU officials, artists and music lovers.
• Audience warmly welcomed the performance as a cultural bridge between Azerbaijan and Belgium.

The concert, on Monday, was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Belgium and took place at one of Brussels’ most renowned cultural venues, one with a rich jazz tradition.

The concert featured distinguished Azerbaijani jazz musicians Rain Sultanov, Shahin Novrasli, Nicat Pashazade and Hasan Bilalov, who performed selected works from Azerbaijan’s musical repertoire.

In his opening remarks, Mammad Zulfugarov, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy, highlighted Azerbaijani jazz as “an integral part of the country’s rich musical heritage.2

He stressed the importance of such cultural initiatives in promoting Azerbaijan’s culture and traditions internationally.

Belgian musician, jazz artist and composer Quentin Dujardin praised the Azerbaijani jazz school for its “distinctive style.”

In 1969, the first jazz festival was held in Baku.

As of 2000s, the country saw an increase in jazz festivals and music festivalsare held annually. The Baku Jazz Centre has been created for development and support of jazz culture in Azerbaijan.

Recalling his participation in the Baku Jazz Festival, Quentin Dujardin also shared positive impressions of Azerbaijan’s vibrant jazz scene, talented musicians and the festival’s high level of organization.

The concert was warmly received by the audience and highly appreciated as a valuable contribution to the promotion of Azerbaijani musical heritage and jazz culture in Belgium.

The event was attended by diplomats, Belgian and European Union officials, representatives of cultural and artistic circles, members of the music community, and representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora.