The Buta Festival of Azerbaijani Arts continues to mesmerize Londoners

London, December 18, AzerTAc The Buta Festival of Azerbaijani Arts is continuing to mesmerize Londoners. The concert titled "Vagif" was held at Central Hall Westminster on December 16. Rarely heard in the West, Vagif Mustafazade is acknowledged as one of the world’s great jazz pianists and composers. This concert celebrated his life and works on the 40th anniversary of his untimely death. Mustafazade successfully fused the traditional song of Azerbaijan – Mugham – with contemporary jazz. The memorial concert held as part of the Buta Festival of Azerbaijani arts traced the story of his life and work. It was held on the 40th anniversary of his untimely death and paid tribute to his work both as composer and pianist. The evening included performances from Georgian jazz singer and composer, Nino Katamadze, bassist Tamaz Kurashvili who performed with Vagif in the 60s and 70s, renowned Russian saxophonist and bandleader Igor Butman and Vagif’s daughter, Aziza, who has followed in her father’s footsteps proving herself as a world class pianist. They were accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Over the next 5 months, the 2014/15 Buta Arts Festival in London will be showcasing everything from the ancient skills of Azerbaijani carpet making to the creativity of the country’s contemporary photographers, the perfect sounds of its jazz musicians and the excitement of live performances in the medium of modern immersive theatre. In addition to the exciting musical schedule, the festival also involves cutting edge contemporary art exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery and Louise Blouin Foundation and artists from the Yarat Contemporary Art Space will display their work in public locations across London. Nasib Piriev, Buta Arts Centre Director, said: “It is a privilege to be able to pay tribute to the life and music of Vagif by hosting this concert as part of our celebration of the artists of Azerbaijan. It is a particular honor to have Vagif’s daughter Aziza performing at this memorial concert as we celebrate his music and the impact he has had on a generation of musicians.”