Shahin Novrasli captivates Paris

By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani pianist Shahin Novrasli  gave a concert in Le Duc des Lombards jazz club in Paris.

Synthesizing traditional jazz rhythms with mugham, jazzmen conquered the hearts of the French jazz lovers. The pianist brilliantly performed folk music, jazz, as well as compositions by jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, Azertac reported.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to France Rahman Mustafayev, employees of the embassy, as well as members of the Azerbaijani community in Paris and jazz lovers were all fascinated by great performance. 

Shahin will once again delight the audience this time with the American jazz pianist and live legend of the post-pop jazz music genre Ahmad Jamal at the Paris Congress Hall of the Azerbaijani jazzman on  November 14.

The hall is always open to the pianists who perform in all styles. Jamal appreciates and cooperates with the style of the Azerbaijani jazzman.

Novrasli arrived in Paris not only for the concert, but also for preparing his new album.

The Azerbaijani jazzman said that he worked with the producers of Jamal, and that the new album was the idea of the American jazz pianist.

He stressed that the new album will include Azerbaijan, America, classical music, as well as improvisations. The musician will stay in Paris for two months to prepare his new album.

Notably, Ahmad met with an Azerbaijani jazzman a few years ago at the  Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris. Since then, two musicians have been actively cooperate with each other.

Shahin’s rare talent emerged from Azerbaijan’s various compositional influences as well as its unusual and rich musical heritage. At only eleven years old, he performed with the local Symphony Orchestra at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall.

Elegantly blending his classical knowledge, Azerbaijan’s traditional folk “Mugham” and his jazz influences, Shahin created his own unique and accomplished musical universe, among which he combines eastern and western cultures.

Acclaimed musician has performed on some of the most prestigious stages in the world, such as London’s Royal Festival Hall, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Black Sea Jazz Festival, Prague’s Mezinarodni Piano Festival and numerous clubs and festivals throughout the United States.

With a solo project, a trio with Ari Hoenig and Nathan Peck, countless collaborations with notably Kenny Wheeler, Iain Ballamy and Tim Garland, to name a few, Shahin is today an icon for Azerbaijan Jazz and has received enthusiastic comments from worldwide critics and audiences.