Emil Afrasiyab Trio, headed by the Azerbaijani jazzman, pianist, composer, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Emil Afrasiyab, joined the event at the invitation of Tim Jackson, artistic director of the festival.
At the concert at Monterey County Fairgrounds, Emil Afrasiyab performed, along with rich Azerbaijani music, his own compositions, including “Letter to Father” dedicated to the martyrs who gave their lives for the territorial integrity of our country. Before the performance, the audience observed a minute of silence at our musician’s request. At the end of the concert, our compatriot demonstrated the tricolor flag of Azerbaijan on stage.
The audience cheered the virtuoso performance of the Azerbaijani jazz musician.
Emil Afrasiyab noted that since the establishment of the festival there had been no participants not only from Azerbaijan, but also from the Caucasus region until now: “It is a great responsibility and honor to be the first one, and most importantly, to introduce the Azerbaijani flag and music there. Promoting our country’s culture and music, introducing it everywhere and representing it honorably is my duty and obligation to the Motherland.”
The composer, who currently resides in Boston, thanked the State Committee on Work with Diaspora for the support of his participation in the festival.
The Monterey Jazz Festival is held annually in late September. The festival has featured such legendary jazz musicians and composers as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, George Duke, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, George Benson.