American performer of Azerbaijani mugham marks birthday in Baku

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Jeffrey Werbock is a good friend of Azerbaijan, promoting the national music, especially mugham worldwide. Many still remember the American who performed a duet of Deli Jeyran with famous singer Zeynab Khanlarova, when he accompanied her on stage during Khanlarova´s first American tour in 1988.

Today, Werbock is known as a skilful player of Azerbaijani national musical instruments, and gives numerous concerts worldwide.  

Werbock, who is also the founder and president of the Mugham Society of America, marked his 65th anniversary with a concert in Baku, Trend Life reported.

The marvelous concert was held at the International Mugham Center, and he delighted his fans with performances on the tar, kamancha and oud. 

"I love Azerbaijan, so I decided to celebrate my anniversary here.  Most part of my life I devoted to the study of Azerbaijani folk music and every time I learn something new.  I just try to promote Azerbaijani music, especially mugham, at home and in other countries," said the musician.

In his remarks, People`s artist, Rector of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory Siyavush Karimi said that Jeffrey Werbock is a musician, who feels Azerbaijani national music and  plays mugham at the professional level.

Karimi expressed his gratitude to the musician for the promotion of Azerbaijan’s national music abroad. He also congratulated Werbock on his birthday and presented him the diploma of "Honorary Professor" of the national conservator.

A lot of public figures, including  Rector of the Baku Academy of Music named after Uzeyir Hajibayli, People`s Artist, Professor Farhad Badalbayli , honored worker of arts, Professor Nazim Kazimov and others came to congratulate the talented musician.

The concert further featured the performance of People's artists Sahib Pashazadeh, Togrul Asadullayev, honored artist of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Ehtiram Huseynov and 13-year-old singer Ravan Ismayilov.