“Jazz Princess” Returns Home

Guivami Rahimli, bp’s Senior Government Affairs Adviser and project manager of AIOC-supported events, shared with AZERTAC his heartfelt memories of one of Azerbaijan’s most brilliant musicians and a true innovator in world music - Vagif Mustafazade.

On the evening of March 6, 1996, the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre hosted a remarkable event - a jazz concert organized by the Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) in partnership with SOCAR. This gathering was not simply another cultural program; it was a heartfelt tribute to one of Azerbaijan’s most brilliant musicians and a true innovator in world music - Vagif Mustafazade. With his unique artistry, Vagif created a fantastic combination that fused Azerbaijan’s national music, mugham, with Western jazz. This brilliant synthesis earned him international acclaim and established Azerbaijan as a creative force on the global music stage.

In 1978, Vagif represented the Soviet Union at the World Jazz Festival in Monaco, where he took first prize. Jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie once said of him: “Vagif’s music is from another planet! It’s the music of the future!”

Vagif’s vision and innovation resonated deeply in Baku that evening, as his daughter Aziza Mustafazade carried forward his artistic flame.

The concert in Baku honored not only his memory but also his enduring influence. The stage came alive with performances by Siyavush Karimi of Rafiq Babayev’s studio, the celebrated jazz ensemble “Gaya” led by Tofiq Gambarov, as well as Vaqif Garayzade and the “Aypara” folklore-jazz group. These ensembles demonstrated the breadth of Azerbaijan’s jazz tradition, built on the foundation that Vagif Mustafazade had laid.

The highlight of the evening was the homecoming of Aziza, daughter of Vagif Mustafazadeh and acclaimed worldwide as the “Jazz Princess.” Performing in her homeland for the first time in two years, Aziza captivated the audience with her dazzling piano artistry, blending improvisation, classical depth, and the soulful heritage of Azerbaijani mugham. Aziza returned back home from Germany especially for this event, carrying forward the legacy of her father while adding her own unique voice to the world of music.

In a letter of invitation to President Heydar Aliyev, AIOC President Terry Adams emphasized the significance of this concert:

“This AIOC/SOCAR Community Concert, organized free of charge for the public, is dedicated to Azerbaijan’s distinguished musician and one of the world’s jazz masters, Vagif Mustafazadeh.

The concert will feature the participation of the “Jazz Princess”, Aziza Mustafazade, daughter of the late Vagif Mustafazade. Aziza, who has been performing an intensive concert program in various countries, has been specially invited from Germany for this occasion.

Mr. President, you have always shown deep care and unwavering support for culture, and it is my great honor to invite you to this concert.”

While President Heydar Aliyev could not be present due to his demanding schedule, the significance of the evening was underscored by the attendance of SOCAR President Natig Aliyev and First Vice President Ilham Aliyev, who joined the audience and later shared their warm impressions at the post-concert reception hosted by AIOC.

The Opera Theatre was filled with cultural figures, celebrities, and officials, all of whom shared in the pride of seeing Azerbaijani jazz celebrated on such a stage. The standing ovations, the heartfelt tributes, and the presence of distinguished guests ensured that this concert will be remembered as not just a performance - but as a continuation of Vagif’s vision of music that belongs to the world, and to the future.

Adding to the historical resonance of the evening, Aziza Mustafazadeh gave interviews to the media after her performance, expressing her deep emotions about performing in Baku once again, reflected on her father’s legacy and her own path as a musician. By her side was Guivami Rahimli, project manager of the AIOC/SOCAR Community Concerts initiative, whose dedication was instrumental in bringing the event to life.

A special moment captured during the event shows Aziza Mustafazade sharing an engaging conversation with Guivami Rahimli. This photo preserves a touching scene where Guivami, the project manager, presents the world-renowned pianist with a special music disk of the legendary Vaqif Mustafazade, honoring the legacy of her father, sponsored by AIOC. More than a gift, the disk carried the company’s dedication to sustaining Azerbaijan’s cultural treasures and inspiring future generations. The warmth of Aziza’s smile and the pride in Guivami’s gesture reflect the harmony of art, gratitude, and friendship that gave the concert its unforgettable atmosphere.

The AIOC/SOCAR Community Concerts had already brought to the stage a wide variety of Azerbaijani musical talent, from the Gara Garayev State Chamber Orchestra to student pianists from the Baku Music Academy. Yet this particular concert was unique: it connected the genius of the past with the promise of the future, celebrating not only Vagif Mustafazade’s timeless contribution to world music but also the continuing vitality of jazz in Azerbaijan.

As the final notes faded in the grand hall of the Opera Theatre, the audience knew they had witnessed more than a concert, it was a celebration of Azerbaijan’s musical spirit and cultural renaissance.