The discovery
Two languages, one voice
Mugham is the classical modal music of Azerbaijan, living by improvisation within its modes. Jazz is music of harmony, swing and the free solo. Vagif Mustafazadeh realised they share one root — improvisation — and joined them.
Thus mugham-jazz was born: the piano sounded with mugham intonations, and ancient modes settled onto jazz harmony. This became Azerbaijan’s contribution to world jazz.
Mugham
The modes of mugham set the intonation and mood, giving Vagif an endless field for improvisation.
Jazz
Harmony, swing and the freedom of the solo gave mugham a new form and the breath of the 20th century.
The piano as a voice
Vagif made the piano “sing” in the mugham way — what was once done by the khanende’s voice or the tar.
Improvisation
His solos were born here and now: every performance was unrepeatable, like mugham itself.
Compositions
Among his works are pieces dedicated to his daughter Aziza; they are still played by jazz musicians worldwide.
Influence
Mugham-jazz became a school: Aziza, Shahin Novrasli, Isfar Sarabski and many others followed this path.
“This is not jazz with an Eastern accent. It is mugham that learned to swing.”
On Vagif’s styleRecognition
Heard by the world
Vagif’s recordings were valued far beyond Azerbaijan. By legend, Bill Evans himself spoke highly of the Baku pianist after hearing him play.
In 1979 his composition won first prize at the international jazz competition in Monaco — confirming that mugham-jazz had become a phenomenon of world scale.