BALABAN, MUGHAM AND FUSION JAZZ

We are proud to introduce you a young ambitious man who is committed to promote Azerbaijani national and classical music both locally and internationally. Moreover, he is doing this with a musical instrument, which causes mixed feelings in the world musical community — balaban, an Azerbaijani double-reed wind instrument.

Wind instruments has a long tradition in Azerbaijan. But it is encouraging that the new generation is not indifferent to its cultural origins and is interested in promoting the national heritage, which means the succession of professional generations in Azerbaijan goes on smoothly. We are not losing, but only gaining, since the youngest generation is trying to develop our ethnic heritage further professionally and to foster love for Azerbaijani music among the representatives of other nationalities.

It is not as simple as it may seem. But in the hands of Nijat Masimov, balaban comes to life and mesmerises the listeners. The result is a standing ovation and an explosion of emotions! In turn comes a smile and a bow to the audience. Mission complete!

Each concert, competition, performance is a new countdown, another contribution to the treasury of victories. Nijat Masimov has performed on many scenes both in Azerbaijan and abroad.

He is the winner of Grand Prix, as well as diplomas of national and foreign competitions, winner of large-scale international competitions such as the Woodwinds and Brass Competition-2014 (USA), Citta di Pesaro (Italy, 2016), International Music Talent Competition Fall- 2016 (New York, USA). But the young performer does not stop there. He is ambitious, has deep faith in himself, his work and homeland. It seems that these qualities are driving the talented performer, who devotes his every passing day to his beloved work, getting back the appreciation and gratitude of his favourite job.

"We have a windy and rainy spring this year. Do you feel melancholic?"

"Not at all. I'm in good mood. Actually, the weather is encouraging. It all depends on what kind of musician and person you are. Some people are not affected by weather conditions. As for me, the weather does affect my mood and performance. Our spring completely suits me (smiles)."

"Nevertheless, you remain a professional..."

"Sure. I am a graduate of the Bulbul Music School. I can say that it is the best school that I have been able to attend so far... Honestly, I was lucky that I got into this school. It has a strong teaching staff and curriculum. Almost all graduates later become admitted to the conservatoire with the highest possible pass notes. Particularly, I would like to mention Teymur Goychayev, director of the school, who is also a conductor and the National Artist of Azerbaijan. He has contributed a lot to my musical development. He supports his students in everything and promotes young talents as much as he can. When my close friend, singer Orkhan Jalilov, and I studied in the 10-11th grades, we took part in some serious events together with the Gara Garayev Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra conducted by Mr. Goychayev. I must admit that it was not easy. We were 17-18 years old at that time. We have always tried to keep the bar high and justify the expectations. The role of my teacher Mukhtar Abseynov is also great, because my professional consistency is a product of his hard and tireless work. In addition, it was very encouraging to participate in various music contests, in which I took high places. I am also grateful to one of my teachers, Ilham Najafov. I won the Grand Prix at the Heydar Aliyev Music Competition. But then I had to leave my friend, and I entered the Azerbaijan National Conservatoire to study balaban. So began my independent activity. It is like in some families, when after 18 years a child is left on his own to learn swimming in the life. The same happened to me. I was brought up in a creative environment; I have professional education and am able to make independent decisions. But I was missing my favourite school, Teymur Goychayev, Mukhtar-muallim... I could not get used to others, the surrounding environment was alien to me. After graduating from the conservatoire, I got into the grad school, where I continue my studies now."

"Why did you choose balaban?"

"It all happened out of the blue. My mother is a doctor, and my father is a mathematician. I wanted to be a mathematician too. But when I was a child, I was diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, and doctors recommended that I go on playing a wind instrument. Balaban was not my own choice, but it could make a place in my soul and became part of my life. I was admitted to the music school from the 3rd grade. It helped my hearing and sense of rhythm. Later, I became the winner of the Bulbul Competition, after which I was literally forced to play music. And as you can see, balaban and I are inseparable (laughs)."

"In other words, balaban is your karma? Do you believe in karma?"

"Yes and no. Playing balaban was not my choice, as I said, but now it is my profession, which I love very much. On the other hand, I work hard trying to grow professionally. I believe that my fate is in my own hands. However, after yet another amazing incident, a new countdown began in my professional career. Once I took part in a contest held in our conservatoire. To my surprise, I was dropped right in the first round of the contest. I still do not know why. Mystery? (laughs). After that, I decided for the principle to apply to a competition held at the Carnegie Hall, USA. This is one of the most prestigious venues in the world for performing classical music. Today, Carnegie Hall also hosts jazz and light music concerts. Prominent musicians such as pianists Boris Berezovsky, Dmitry Matsuev, Bill Evans, tenor saxophonist Joshua performed there. All of them are legends of the world music world. I did not think at all that I would pass, and relied more on my luck. Quite surprisingly I passed the first round, then the second. Finally, I became the winner of the contest among many talents from around the world. It was so amazing to be dropped off from the republican competition in the first round and take the first place in the international one. Most interestingly, the chairman of the jury was an Armenian, who gave the first place to balaban. After all, the situation around the ownership of balaban between our countries is no secret anymore. However, the chairman did not dropped me off, as we usually see. After the contest, a new stage began in my life: invitations, concerts, performances..."

"Did something change inside you after the victory?"

"Of course. I became more confident and proved to myself that in the republican competition I should not have been dropped off in the first round."

“So, everything for the better?”

"Sure. I can even give an example. Before entering the conservatoire, I applied to the Asaf Zeynalli Music School. It so happened that I could not pass the history exam that I don’t really like. And I am happy that everything turned out this way. Although at that time I was very upset."

"How was your victory accepted at home?"

"It was the first time Azerbaijani balaban was heard in the Carnegie Hall, and an Azerbaijani took the first place. Everyone in Baku admired me; everyone who did not like me instantly became more loyal to me (laughs). The event influenced me professionally, but I do not associate my further performances and concerts with a victory in that competition. I won the second place in the competition in Russia, in which Armenians also took part. The first place was given to Belarus. There were seventy people from the Armenian diaspora and just ten people from ours. At the final stage of the competition, I went to the scene with the Azerbaijani flag, although this was not allowed. Of course, I was ticked off for what I did (laughs), but something was compelling me to do it that way. Since opinions on ethnic affiliation of balaban are different throughout the world, I consider it my duty to promote balaban and prove that no one can repeat our performance. In the competition in Italy, I won the first place for the title of The Best Woodwind Player of the Year. I received an invitation to give a concert with the Italian Chamber Orchestra, and they have been waiting for my answer for four years now."

"Hesitating?"

"Actually, it is more about money. Nevertheless, I tour and give preference to live performances, where I can most fully demonstrate the potential of balaban and the depth of our rich musical heritage."

"A number of music theorists and musicians of Azerbaijan claim that we are behind Armenians as far as the promotion of balaban is concerned. Do you share this viewpoint?"

"It's partially true. After winning the competition at Carnegie Hall, I was invited there again. At that time, I was in my third year at the conservatoire. The most surprising thing, as I found out later, was the support from the chairman of the competition, an Armenian. Although there are thousands of balaban players among Armenians, but he was inviting me. I attended the contest and they gave me the first place. I just came out and played my part only at the end of the event. And that was all!"

"Why do you think?"

"Perhaps it is all about the performance. I think this is one of the indicators that they also understand that balaban is our instrument because it is in our blood."

"Can you play any other instrument?"

"Yes, saxophone. Well, I can play kamancha a little. No more. Of course, I am fully aware that balaban is not a commercial tool, and I need my profession to generate income. Therefore, I started practicing saxophone and really enjoy playing it. Saxophone is an instrument that lets me enjoy other types of music, to throw out energy and, naturally, to earn money. Of course, my saxophone level is average, more amateur, for performances in clubs, restaurants. You name it. In addition, saxophone also influenced my play on balaban, my taste and worldview. I wanted to become a jazz musician, but I realised that this is a very difficult music."

"You have shared a photo on your Instagram, where you hold a saxophone in one hand and a balaban in the other. And you asked your subscribers "Which one of them?" We ask the same question to you."

"Definitely, balaban is in the first place for me, as it reminds me of my homeland; it is part of my life. Family and balaban are the most important things in my life. I have a concert on May 20 at the International Mugham Center. I will play jazz fusion - a musical genre that combines elements of jazz and music of other styles. In the future, I want to tour around the world with this genre and with my own band. I dream of demonstrating that one can play jazz fusion in balaban, that the potential of this instrument is almost endless. This is how we can make the Azerbaijani balaban even more popular."

"How does foreign audiences, who are more accustomed, for example, to saxophone, rate your performance?"

"Once my best friend Abuzar Manafzadeh called me. He studies in Vienna and is the first Azerbaijani who entered the Vienna Conservatoire. He said that there is a three-part concert, which was the first concert written for balaban. It was planned to hold the premiere performance in California, USA. The objective was to let the people know our national instrument. Upon arrival, I was told that I should play for half an hour without accompaniment and rhythm, just solo. Believe me, this is very difficult. I performed Azerbaijani mugham in a completely different way, more accessible for their ears. Then I made the transition to their music, All of Me, then to mugham and back to my first performance. The reaction was amazing. The audience was applauding standing. The mayor of Monterey hung Azerbaijani flags all over the city. I really enjoyed the event. On May 25, we will have the premiere of the concert in Baku. Seizing this opportunity, I invite everyone to our concert."

"Does the state of Azerbaijan appreciate your work?"

"Sure. I was awarded with a presidential scholarship. I began working harder after that. My name is also included in the Golden Book of young talents of Azerbaijan. In 2012, I received the title of Ilin Genji."

"If you were asked to tell about Azerbaijan through music, which melody would you play?"

"Hmm, interesting. If I were asked by musicians with conservatoire background, it would be the overture from Uzeyir Hajibeyov's Koroghlu, because it conveys the spirit of our country. I would convey the ethnic aesthetics through mugham and would smoothly go on with Sary Gelin or Men seni araram. And if one would like to experience Azerbaijani classics, my best options would be anything from Gara Garayev, Uzeyir Hajibeyov and Fikret Amirov."

"Thank you for your active promotion and ambitions. We are waiting for your new wins!"

"Thank you. I believe this is the duty of each and every Azerbaijani. If each of us invest even a small part of our heart and brain in a common cause, we will achieve a lot!"