Vintage Icons N° 0003 – 19.12.2023 – Interview with Aziza Mustafa Zadeh

Vintage Icons

Vintage Icons N° 0003 - 19.12.2023 - Interview with Aziza Mustafa Zadeh

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There are icons in every period and icons independent of the period. You can listen to popular icons from all genres like rock, hip hop, pop or classical music on Nuran Atis’s radio program “Vintage Icons”.

Interview with Aziza Mustafa Zadeh

“Melancholy visits me from time to time, it’s part of my nature”

The worldwide famous Azerbaijani jazz artist, singer, pianist and composer Aziza Mustafa Zadeh talked with Nuran Atis abou

t her childhood, father Vagif Mustafa Zadeh, career, feelings while composing and her life in Mainz, Germany.

Nuran ATIS

• Your father Vagif Mustafa-Zade was like you, a world-famous Azerbaijani jazz musician. The American blues guitarist and singer B.B. King said in 1967 to your father: “Mr. Mustafazade, they call me the ‘King of Blues,’ but I sure wish I could play the blues as well as you do.” Mrs. Mustafa-Zadeh, how was your childhood? How did your father inspire you? What was important for him in your education. What image do you have in your mind when you think of your childhood?

Yes, it’s true, BB King admired the genius of the great Vagif, and not only him. My childhood was short. I grew up among adults, intelligent people, mostly people of art. Musicians, artists, architects, poets, etc. came to us. But most of all I liked spending time in the Fioletovo studio. My father often recorded songs with VIA Seville. There was no talk about my education. My father believed that I shouldn’t interfere, everything would go as usual. He never had time to study with me, although he planned to do a program after Tashkent. My father passed away, leaving a brilliant legacy and pain in our hearts. My father remains in my memory as the kindest, most sensitive, caring person.

• Your father was awarded at the 8th International Jazz Festival in Monaco for his composition “Waiting for Aziza”. What does this mean for you?

Waiting for Aziza means a lot to me. This is Fatherly Love, this is his Hope that I will continue his path, and much more…

• Have you asked your father why he chose jazz?

We never talked about why my Father chose Jazz. Everything was natural.

• What characteristics do you have in common with your father Vagif?

Father and I have one thing in common – an honest attitude towards music.

“I never had a goal to achieve any awards”

• At the age of 18 you had in Washington D.C. the third place in the Thelonious Monk Piano Competition. In 1994 you won the Phono Academy Prize and Echo Prize from Sony. Did you feel the need to achieve more? Did you put yourself under pressure?

I never had a goal to achieve any awards.

• How does Azerbaijan inspire you in your works? What do you like most about Azerbaijan?

Azerbaijani Folk Music – Mugam inspires me a lot. My idols are Vagif and Bach.

• What details in Germany, Mainz inspire you in your works? What do you like most about Mainz?

Mainz is a sister city with Baku. I feel comfortable and warm here because it reminds me of Baku.

• Which emotions are bringing you to compose? When do you compose the most and do you want to emphasize? Is there a detail about your father Vagif Mustafazade in each work?

Compositions come to me under the impression of various events, for example, meeting positive people. Nature, birdsong, trees, flowers, clouds, sun, moon, so much beauty around.

• Unfortunately, most reporters asked you in many interviews which religion you belong to. You are a successful world famous artist. It makes no difference what you believe or do not believe. How do you see the questions about religion and Azerbaijan? Most people don’t know about Azerbaijan’s hospitality. Despite your successes and as an intellectual woman, do you struggle with prejudices?

God is our only patron, love and generosity itself. I don’t fight with anyone or anything, because it’s pointless. My mission is Music.

• You have often emphasized that you were inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach. What do you think about this quote of Bach: “I have had to be diligent. Anyone who is just as hardworking, will be able to go far.”?

Bach was absolutely right – hard work and diligence are important qualities, subject to the presence of Talent.

• There is a melancholy in your work “Ladies of Azerbaijan”. What did you want to represent and express?

Melancholy visits me from time to time. It’s part of my nature.

• Will you give concerts again?

There will definitely be concerts.