Aziza Mustafa Zadeh
Jazziza

Some call her “the princess of jazz”. Nonsense. However, it is certain that Aziza M. Zadeh, Azerbaijani pianist, has been blessed by fortune, as she possesses a thousand and one virtues. She is a very beautiful woman, plays with astonishing technique, and has one of the most "incredible" voices in terms of range, pitch, and technique. On her records, we find musicians of the caliber of Al di Meola, Toots Thielemans, Stanley Clarke, Bill Evans (sax), John Patitucci, and Philip Catherine. And what's more, she composes excellent music.

A daughter of art, at just 17 years old she wins (not in her homeland, but on the formidable American terrain) the Monk prize and amazes the world with an absolutely original and unmistakable style. She is signed by Sony and receives prestigious accolades in Europe. Her music is described as “mugham”, which some see as a modern derivation of maqam, and it travels, in a miraculous and delicate balance, in the realm of stylistic contamination between the jazz of Chick Corea and the traditional music of her homeland, Azerbaijan. How she manages to accomplish this magic can only be explained by listening to her records, which are intense and full of pathos.

Sensational is the rhythmic impact she manages to produce on the piano or when duetting with the musicians who accompany her. Frenzied oriental dances, whirling solos, compelling tempo variations, and classic half-moon ballads follow one another, keeping the compositional level high. Recognizable is the frequent use of Arabic and Middle Eastern scales, upon which some classic jazz figures are superimposed along with flamenco rhythms. However, I would not be surprised at all if someone turned up their nose at such a profusion of energy and vitality. This is not music for everyone, and the detractors among purists are not lacking. But one cannot deny the talent, the ability to engage, and the high quality of her compositions. Jazziza is, as one might guess, Zadeh's most “western” CD, featuring many standards ("My Funny Valentine", "Scrapple From The Apple", "Take Five", just to name a few).

The chemistry among the musicians is high, and the pianist flaunts her "fundamentals" with sure mastery, demonstrating great arranging skills and exceptional vocal abilities, as in the case of "Nature Boy", which is performed in a sort of original "oriental scat". However one wishes to judge her, a unique and brilliant artist.