Shahin Novrasli | |
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 Novrasli performing in New York, 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 10 February 1977 Baku, Azerbaijan |
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| Instrument | Piano |
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| Website | shahinnovrasli |
Shahin Novrasli (born 10 February 1977) is an Azerbaijani jazz pianist and composer.
Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 10 February 1977, Novrasli is a descendant of celebrated 19th century Azerbaijani poet Mirza Alesker Novres. His father, professor Novras, and mother, economist Naila, instilled their sons with their own knowledgeable love for good music. At three years old, Novrasli was displaying an interest in music and rhythm. His first major public performance, aged 11, was at the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall for a symphony orchestra concert by composer Azer Rzayev. In college, under Gulya Namazova, Novrasli studied classical music and displayed great skill in performing a range of works by Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and other composers. This classical background is incorporated into his jazz compositions. Both playing and composing, jazz became Novrasli's main focus in music.
From the ages of 15 to 19, Novrasli immersed himself in music, listening to the great jazz pianists Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Chick Corea, meanwhile studying harmony and composition. After graduating from the Bulbul Music School, he enrolled at the Azerbaijan State Music Academy. There, he studied the music of the pioneering Azerbaijani jazz pianist Vagif Mustafazadeh – who fused jazz with traditional Azerbaijani mugham music – absorbing Mustafazadeh's music into his repertoire.
From 1997, he began to perform in America and Europe in different formats, such as solo, trio, and quartet. He has also experimented with adding unique instruments to the group, including his own voice. Novrasli has recorded three live albums: Live in Moscow, Live in Prague Castle and Jz'Mu, live in Baku. His other recording include the experimental album Eternal Way and Bayati, recorded while living and touring in America and released on the French label Bee Jazz. His detailed study of mugham added another ingredient to his compositions and concerts, furthering the mix of Western and Eastern music.
A defining moment in Novrasli's work and career was meeting the jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. In 2014, in the US, Novrasli met Jamal's manager, Laura Hess-Hay; she introduced him to Jamal, who came to view Novrasli's music highly and advocated for his work: "He is one of the great pianists that I've heard of. [...] He's making some great statements in music [...] and his technique is fabulous."
Jamal also co-produced his 2017 album, Emanation, released on the French label Jazz Village / PIAS, which was awarded among the "Best Jazz Albums of 2017" by UK Vibe magazine. On 13 September 2019, alongside Jamal's album Ballades, Novrasli released From Baku to New York City (Jazz Village / PIAS), also produced by Jamal.
In 2022, Novrasli founded the Shahin Novrasli Festival in collaboration with PASHA Holding and other organizations. This multi-day annual event is held in Baku and takes place in both indoor and outdoor spaces. The performances at this festival include classical music, jazz, flamenco, and mugham piano, in which both international and local musicians take part in. Included with the festival is the "We are the Future" initiative to support young musicians, especially poor children with disabilities.
In 2007, Shahin married Natavan Novrasli, a classical singer, an Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, and soloist with the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. Together, they have two sons, born in 2008 and 2015.
| Recording year | Title | Label | Notes / Personnel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Jz'Mu | Shahin Novrasli | Trio; with Ruslan Huseynov (bass) and Iskender Aleskerov (drums) |
| 2001 | Live in Moscow | Shahin Novrasli | Trio; with Nathan Peck (bass) and Sasha Mashin (drums) |
| 2003 | Eternal Way | Buta | Quintet; with Nathan Peck (bass), Sasha Mashin (drums), Arslan Novrasli (tar) and Nurlan Novrasli (kamancheh) |
| 2012 | Live in Prague Castle | Shahin Novrasli | Quartet; with Nathan Peck (bass), Sasha Mashin (drums) and Chris Hemingwey (saxophone) |
| 2017 | Emanation | Jazz Village / PIAS | Quintet; with Didier Lockwood (violin), James Cammack (bass), André Ceccarelli (drums) and Irakli Koiava (percussion) |
| 2019 | From Baku to New York City | Jazz Village / PIAS | Trio; with James Cammack (bass) and Herlin Riley (drums) |
| 2022 | Bayati | Eight Islands / Disk Union | Trio; with Nathan Peck (bass) and Ari Hoenig (drums) |
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