Jazz does not age – it only grows younger with the years. This musical genre, which emerged at the beginning of the 20th century, has gained millions of followers around the world over time. In 2011, UNESCO officially recognized it as a symbol of international dialogue, proclaiming April 30 as International Jazz Day. Its energetic rhythms continue to inspire new musicians to offer bold interpretations of classics and to form ensembles united by a shared passion for this legendary genre.
This past weekend in Ashgabat, a musical group composed mainly of young instrumentalists and vocalists presented the concert program “Jazz till dawn.”
Before the performance began, the space of the “Watan” Cinema and Concert Center transformed into a cozy chamber hall with a special, almost magical atmosphere. The audience’s path to the auditorium lay along an imagination-stirring walkway illuminated by soft lighting, complemented by classic chandeliers on the columns and creative candleholders.
The stage, decorated with floor lamps, stood frozen in anticipation. The brass instruments for the orchestra were already gleaming in place. At the center stood Aram Bazikyan’s impressive drum kit, while a snow-white grand piano waited for the appearance of Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Vladimir Mkrtumov.
As soon as the musicians stepped onto the stage, the hall came alive. The double bass resonated, and the strings began to sing. The orchestra was conducted by the young and promising maestro Kovus Byashimov.
Soloists Bahar Durdyyeva, Dovran Shammyev, and Tyazegul Bayramova performed the legendary songs “I Wanna Be Loved by You,” “Ain’t Got No,” “I Feel Good,” “Je veux,” and others. A true triumph was Dovran Shammyev’s rendition of the hit “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” which sparked a storm of applause.
The dance rhythms kept the audience from sitting still. Spectators swayed in their seats, giving in to the shared groove. The evening concluded with thunderous applause and a sea of flowers.
Conductor Kovus Byashimov spoke about the work behind the project. The “Big Band Orchestra” brought together enthusiasts who set themselves the goal of developing jazz in Turkmenistan. Despite his young age, Kovus already has experience leading chamber and wind orchestras. He began his journey while still in school, studying conducting and continuing his education in the viola class. According to the maestro, significant assistance in organizing and stage design was provided by art director Myakhri Shammyeva.
The capital’s audience, already accustomed to high-quality musical programs, warmly welcomed this experiment. This season, Ashgabat has already hosted concerts dedicated to Japanese animation soundtracks, music from Turkish television series, symphonies inspired by Russian fairy tales, and melodies from Turkmen cinema. The jazz evening harmoniously complemented this series. The organizers reported that they are already working on the next program, which promises to be just as interesting and unusual.
