Rafig Babayev
Encyclopedia
Rafig Farzi oglu Babayev ' onMouseout='HidePop("83706")' href="/topics/Baku">Baku
—19 March 1994) was an Azerbaijan
i jazz
composer and pianist. In 1978 he was conferred the title of Honoured Artist and in 1993 the title of National Artist
of Azerbaijan.
One of the eminent figures of Azerbaijani jazz
, Babayev composed a large number of jazz compositions, plays and arrangements of national songs
as well as the scores for over 20 films.
. In 1959 Babayev finished the Baku Academy of Music
and began touring throughout the Soviet Union. By that time Babayev became the leader of a jazz band
. In 1967 his band won a prize at Tallinn
Jazz Festival. Having returned to Baku, Babayev made acquaintance with singer Rashid Behbudov
.
In 1993 Babayev's jazz band arrived to California
to perform in Los Angeles
and the Bay Area.
Rafig Babayev was killed in the 1994 Baku Metro bombings
.
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
—19 March 1994) was an Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
i jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
composer and pianist. In 1978 he was conferred the title of Honoured Artist and in 1993 the title of National Artist
National Artist
National Artist is a honorary title issued by some states as a highest recognition of artists for their significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the nation....
of Azerbaijan.
One of the eminent figures of Azerbaijani jazz
Azerbaijani jazz
The Azerbaijani jazz is a popular variety of jazz, widespread in Azerbaijan. It covers a broad range of styles and often features a blend with traditional Azeri music. The Baku International Jazz Festival is held annually in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku...
, Babayev composed a large number of jazz compositions, plays and arrangements of national songs
Music of Azerbaijan
Music of Azerbaijan builds on folk traditions that reach back nearly 1,000 years. For centuries Azerbaijani music has evolved under the badge of monody, producing rhythmically diverse melodies. Azerbaijani music has a branchy mode system, where chromatisation of major and minor scales is of great...
as well as the scores for over 20 films.
Life
Rafig's father was imprisoned by Soviet authorities and he was brought up by mother in poverty, together with his three sisters and brother. Having graduated from musical school in Baku, Babayev passed the final examinations in 1954, which included a piece from Bill EvansBill Evans
William John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
. In 1959 Babayev finished the Baku Academy of Music
Baku Academy of Music
The Hajibeyov Baku Academy of Music is a music school in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was established in 1920 in Baku and was previously known as the Hajibeyov Azerbaijan State Conservatoire.-History:...
and began touring throughout the Soviet Union. By that time Babayev became the leader of a jazz band
Jazz band
A jazz band is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. Jazz bands usually consist of a rhythm section and a horn section, in the early days often trumpet, trombone, and clarinet with rhythm section of piano, banjo, bass or tuba, and drums.-Eras:SwingDuring the swing era in the mid-twentieth...
. In 1967 his band won a prize at Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
Jazz Festival. Having returned to Baku, Babayev made acquaintance with singer Rashid Behbudov
Rashid Behbudov
Rashid Behbudov was an Azerbaijani singer and actor. He sang in Azerbaijani, Russian, Persian, Turkish, Hindi, Armenian, Urdu and Bengali among other languages....
.
In 1993 Babayev's jazz band arrived to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to perform in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and the Bay Area.
Rafig Babayev was killed in the 1994 Baku Metro bombings
1994 Baku Metro bombings
The civilian attacks in Baku Metro was a series of terrorist incidents in 1994. The first attack was perpetrated at the "20 January" metro station, while the second one took place between the "28 May" and "Ganjlik" stations. As a result of the first attack, 14 people were killed and 49 wounded...
.