Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

For the third time, the City of Winds will welcome guests and participants of the Baku Summer Jazz Days festival to be held on June 10-15.

The third Baku Summer Jazz Days International Festival will be opened by one of the most brilliant European jazzmen Erik Truffaz.

The French musician and his quartet will delight jazz lovers at the International Mugham Center on June 10, Trend Life reported.

Music critics call Truffaz’s work bright and unique. He is one of the most brilliant and active European jazzmen, who does not need to be introduced to those who are interested in improvisational music. Thanks to experiments with electronic music, drum and bass and ambient music, he was loved by connoisseurs of non-conservative jazz and electronics from their very first records. The music of Truffaz is so unique that it cannot be attributed to any particular genre. Many compositions are imbued with the breath of modernity and the future.

Erik Truffaz was born in 1960 in a family of musicians in France. His father played the saxophone professionally and was the leader of a small orchestra. Truffaz absorbed the essence and beauty of music since a young age. He tried to understand every musical piece he heard, seeing in it something new and attractive. From the age of 6, he began to learn the basics of playing various instruments. From the age of 8, Erik already played in his father's orchestra.

Trumpet became the favorite instrument of the future musician. While studying at college, Erik fell under the strong influence of rock music. He delves into the work of the team Deep Purple and their contemporaries. During this period, the musician learned to play the guitar. As the musician himself often notes, apart from his father, Miles Davis significantly influenced on his decision to become a musician.

For a long time, Erik was in search of something new and original. Over time, Truffaz started composing unthinkable compositions and stunning improvisations.

Gradually, Erik became recognizable in the highest musical circles, and he became one of the best beginning extraordinary musicians. In 1990, Truffaz created his own team "Erik Truffaz Quintet". The group instantly became popular and began to win one after another prestigious awards.

In 1996, Truffaz signed a contract with EMI and released three albums. In 2000, he together with his musicians released the album "The Mask", which amazed music lovers.

In 2003, his team surprised the audience with the album "The Walk of the Giant Turtle", and in 2005, he recorded the sensational "Saloua" album.

In total, the musician has released 20 music albums, the last of which was "Doni Doni" (2016), inspired by African music.

"Our only weapon is art, and I'd rather die than stop playing music. It's just impossible," the musician says.

Baku Summer Jazz Days is a multi-faceted international project that was created on the initiative of the Premier Art Management Production Center with the support of the Culture Ministry.

Along with Azerbaijani jazzmen, the event will bring together talented musicians from Russia, Israel, France, Georgia and Switzerland.

Tickets can be purchased at all ticket offices of the city, ASAN Service centers, Ganjlik Mall, 28 Mall, and online on www.iticket.az.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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