Shahin Novrasli (born 10 February 1977) is an Azerbaijani jazz pianist and composer.Larkin, Cormac (April 20, 2017) "Shahin Novrasli: a virtuoso pianist and so much more".The Irish TimesHarris, George W. (June 12, 2017) "Shahin Novrasli: Emanation". Jazz Weekly.
Early years Childhood 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.France Music (April 6, 2014) "Moderne et futur classique, le pianiste Shahin Novrasli". France Music This classical background is incorporated into his jazz compositions.AzerNews (May 23, 2017) Shahin Novrasli – presented by legendary Ahmad Jamal in Paris". AzerNews Both playing and composing, jazz became Novrasli's main focus in music.Coulers Jazz (May 19, 2017) A beautiful journey from the East to the West". Coulers Jazz
College and music academy 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.Baku Art (March 12, 2012) Shahin Novrasli will act in Paris with a concert devoted by Vagif Mustafazade". Baku Art
Career
From 1997, he began to perform in America and Europe in different formats, such as solo,Note, Blue (June 15, 2016) "OPENING ACT: Ahmad Jamal Presents: Shahin". Blue Note. trio, and quartet.Dore, Christophe (May 15, 2017) "Le talentueux pianiste Shahin Novrasli au festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés". Lefigaro Culture. He has also experimented with adding unique instruments to the group,Санкт-Петербургская Государственная Консерватория (Ноябрь 14, 2009) "Джазовый концерт Шаина Новрасли".Санкт-Петербургская Государственная Консерватория 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,Fordham, John (February 6, 2014) "Shahin Novrasli: Bayati – review". The Guardian. 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,Nicholson, Stuart "Jazz and Culture in a Global Age". Jazz and Culture in a Global Age. furthering the mix of Western and Eastern music. A defining moment in Novrasli's work and career was meeting the jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal.Qobuz, Interview "Shahin Novrasli & Ahmad Jamal celebrate the releases of their respective albums" (Video). .Alley, Blues (May 15, 2017) "Ahmad Jamal presents Shahin Novrasli" . Blues Alley.Delor Music (May, 2017) "Video: Ahmad Jamal Presente Shahin Novrasli".DelorMusic 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 highlyAPA (May 22, 2017) "Shahin Novrasli – presented by the legendary Ahmad Jamal in Paris". APA. and advocated for his work:The AzerNews "Shahin Novrasli – presented by legendary Ahmad Jamal in Paris".AzerNews "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,Spectable (May 20, 2017) "Ahmad Jamal presente Shahin Novrasli « Emanation »".Spectable released on the French label Jazz Village / PIAS,PIAS (April 7, 2017) "Jazz Village Releases Pianist/Composer Shahin Novrasli's Label Debut" . PIAS. which was awarded among the "Best Jazz Albums of 2017" by UK Vibe magazine.UK Vibe "Best Jazz Albums of 2017".UK Vibe On 13 September 2019, alongside Jamal's album Ballades, Novrasli released From Baku to New York City (Jazz Village / PIAS), also produced by Jamal.DL MEDIA MUSIC (September 13, 2019) "AHMAD JAMAL “BALLADES” & SHAHIN NOVRASLI “FROM BAKU TO NEW YORK CITY”".DL MEDIA MUSICDL MEDIA MUSIC (September 13, 2019) DL MEDIA MUSIC
Shahin Novrasli Festival
In 2022, Novrasli founded the Shahin Novrasli Festival in collaboration with PASHA Holding and other organizations. "Shahin Novrasli Festival".Ismayilova, Laman (June 24, 2026) Shahin Novrasli Festival marks fifth anniversary with expansion abroad". AzerNewsKosolapova, Elena (July 7, 2026) "The Sound of Summer: Shahin Novrasli Festival Opens in Baku". Azeriobserver.AzerNews (June 26, 2026) "Shahin Novrasli Festival set to take in Baku's Old City. AzerNews.Holding, Pasha (October 3, 2024) "With the sponsorship of PASHA Holding, the Baku International Piano Festival successfully took place this year.". Pasha Holding. 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,InNews (July 4, 2026) "Shahin Novrasli Festival Opens with a Vibrant Latin American Concert". InNews. 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.AzerNews (July 1, 2025) "Children's concerts held within 'We are the future' project". AzerNews.Axundova, Anara (July 7, 2026) "“We are the Future” konserti “Shahin Novrasli Festival”ın qürurudur". AzerTac.1news Media (July 4, 2026) "Opening of Shahin Novrasli Festival takes place". 1newsAz.
Personal life 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.Actors Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater".Azerbaijan, Opera Together, they have two sons, born in 2008 and 2015.
Discography
Recording yearTitleLabelNotes / Personnel2000Jz'MuShahin NovrasliTrio; with Ruslan Huseynov (bass) and Iskender Aleskerov (drums)2001Live in MoscowShahin NovrasliTrio; with Nathan Peck (bass) and Sasha Mashin (drums)2003Eternal WayButaQuintet; with Nathan Peck (bass), Sasha Mashin (drums), Arslan Novrasli (tar) and Nurlan Novrasli (kamancheh)2012Live in Prague CastleShahin NovrasliQuartet; with Nathan Peck (bass), Sasha Mashin (drums) and Chris Hemingwey (saxophone)2017EmanationJazz Village / PIASQuintet; with Didier Lockwood (violin), James Cammack (bass), André Ceccarelli (drums) and Irakli Koiava (percussion)2019From Baku to New York CityJazz Village / PIASTrio; with James Cammack (bass) and Herlin Riley (drums)2022BayatiEight Islands / Disk UnionTrio; with Nathan Peck (bass) and Ari Hoenig (drums)
References
External links