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Isfar Rzayev: My aim is to represent our country and promote Azerbaijanâ€™s jazz in the world â€“ INTERVIEW - PHOTOSESSION

Isfar Rzayev: My aim is to represent our country and promote Azerbaijanâ€™s jazz in the world â€“ <font color=red>INTERVIEW - PHOTOSESSION</font>

21 December 2009 12:07 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Ulkar Gasimova â€“ APA. APAâ€™s interview with Isfar Rzayev â€“ Sarabski, young Azerbaijani jazzman and pianist, winner of Montreux Jazz Festival 2009

-Is famous Azerbaijani actor and director Huseyngulu Sarabski your relative?

-Yes, he is. Huseyngulu Sarabski is my motherâ€™s grandfather. I am the successor of this family in the 21st century. I am introduced as Isfar Sarabski, because I am proud of this surname. I always try to mention that I am the representative of this family.

-Do you agree to the fact that you had not been so famous in Azerbaijan before the Montreux Jazz Festival and became popular after winning in this competition?

-I do not doubt it and am proud of it. I became known as Isfar Sarabski after this international competition. I had fans before the participation in this competition, but their number increased after this success. Montreux Jazz Festival is quite another date in my activity. I will never forget this date, as Azerbaijan won on that date.

-Rector of Baku Music Academy, peopleâ€™s artist Farhad Badalbayli told us you had an opportunity to study in America, but you did not use this opportunity as your English is weak. Do you want to study in America one day?

-In fact, this is a very splendid opportunity. I had little time then, therefore I could not assess this proposal. I spent all my time on music and had no time to learn the language. Now I am learning English and intend to use this opportunity in future. I will give a concert in America next year, I am improving my English to perform good in the concert. I have recently given a concert in Hollywood. I think the number of my concerts abroad will increase after I learn English.

-We can come to conclusion that from then on Isfar will only give concerts abroadâ€¦

-Why do you draw a conclusion? I will always try to given concert in my motherland no matter where I am. My compatriots will see me in Azerbaijani stages. I will try to often come to Azerbaijan, when I am in Europe or US. I am an Azerbaijani and represent Azerbaijan everywhere. My biggest aim is to promote Azerbaijan in the world and bring victory to my Motherland in the international festivals.

- Why just jazz?

- Jazz is a music which gives me energy. Jazz and classic encourage me. I enjoy with this music. I canâ€™t live without jazz. This is my life and a reason keeping me in life. I feel myself a happiest man in the world when playing piano. This is biggest present in my life. A grand piano is a musical instrument I have loved since my very childhood and I canâ€™t live without it.

- World-renowned jazzman Vagif Mustafazadeh brought new breath to jazz and synthesized jazz with mugham. Do you think to bring novelty to jazz?

- I think any musician has to learn new things. Music is endless and it should certainly be innovated. I dream to make novelty, but when? I donâ€™t know.

- There were some rumors that after your winning at the Montrose Jazz Festival you have been in conflict with Shahin Novrasi, the festivalâ€™s runner-up in 2008. They say Shahin is irritated that you are in the center of attentionâ€¦.

- I also heard these rumors that as if I am in conflict with Shahin Novrasi. This is not true. We have no close relations with him. I know him as very skillful pianist and respect him. He had good performance and presented Azerbaijan in a high level at Montrose, but I won the first place in that festival. But it doesnâ€™t mean that one of us is more skillful than other. We have normal relations and meet each other. We can launch joint project that enable us to work together in future.

- It is not secret that some world musicians, including Azerbaijani, are using narcotic drugs before the performance.

- I know that there are musicians who use narcotic drugs before taking the stage, but it is not important. The important thing is that he can perform the music from the heart. It is not about me. I smoke cigarettes and drink, but nothing else. You can be sure.

- What is your future plan?

- I will release series of albums early next year. I am planning to work with the world-known musicians over these albums. I also expected to participate in the series of international festivals next year. The program is approved now and we have many plans. I target to popularize Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani jazz in the world.