SHAHIN NOVRASLI TRIO (Azerbaijan-France)

Monday May 11 Tbilisi Conservatory Grand Hall 8 pm SHAHIN NOVRASLI TRIO (Azerbaijan-France) Opens Tbilisi Rhythm Festival 2026 ”He is one of the great pianists what I ever heard of ..” -Ahmad Jamal Shahin Novrasli- piano Eric Jacot- double bass Josellin Hazard-drums Modal at heart, improvisational in soul, academic in spirit, Azeri by roots; a cultural alchemy runs through Shahin Novrasli’s fingertips every time he plays. A tempestuous fusion of jazz, classical and mugham, a traditional Azeri folk artform passed down through generations; his style captures the essence of his Land Of Fire homeland. Jazz-mugham; a style where East meets West,reflecting his country’s unique heritage and famous Butaemblem. A hopeful symbol of rebirth and evolution. Shahin’s personal evolution began at the age of three when, encouraged by a rich culture of music in his family, he first started playing piano. It’s been both an academic and spiritual commitment ever since. From playing in symphonic orchestras at the age of 11 to his more recent studies of mugham singing, one of the most complex and challenging artforms in Azeri musical culture, his entire life has been characterized by a devotion that’s so intense you see it running through him as he performs. Best witnessed live, Shahin is a tightly-coiled spring, poised between stool and Steinway like an arrow in a bow. Compelled by the honesty and purity of the artform so much, he’s often in a trance-like state. This is why you’re just as likely to hear him reference Joni Mitchell as you are Bach or Vagif Mustafazadeh in his repertoire. This is why a consistentthirst for fusion has become his jazz-mugham signature. Soso Lagidze International Arts Festival 'Tbilisi Rhythm' is organized by TagisAart Ltd.