"Planet", the jazz explorations of pianist Isfar Sarabski

Adored in his country Azerbaijan as much as by Quincy Jones, Isfar Sarabski causes a sensation wherever he goes, both for his virtuosity and his perpetual quest for new musical experiences . Trained at The School and Academy of Music in Baku, the pianist went beyond his classical universe during his stint at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and won at the age of 19 in the piano competition of the Montreux Jazz Festival with his phenomenal interpretation of Bill Evans' compositions . A formidable transmitter of emotions, the young thirty-something likes working with the electro scene of his country but it is indeed to jazz that he is devoting his work Planet today , due on April 30 via Warner Music 

For me, the important thing is to explore new avenues, to create new horizons . . Stagnation is not my idea of ​​art .

For this Planet album , Isfar Sarabski surrounded himself with bassist Alan Hampton and drummer Mark Guliana . A trio which sublimates the compositions of the pianist and his lyricism perpetually under rhythmic tension . An ecstatic jazz and a cosmic swing where traditional and classical music mingle with infinite grace when the three musicians are joined by the tar ( Persian lute ) of Shahriyar Imanov, the strings of the Baku Strings Quartet or the Main Strings Ensemble conducted by Lev Trofimov .

" I am fascinated by great black vinyl records . I remember precisely how I felt the first time I heard Dizzy Gillespie's records or the recordings of works by Bach and Chopin . At the first listening j I felt  that I had to go further "declares Isfar Sarabski

source: https://www.fip.fr/jazz/planet-les-explorations-jazz-du-pianiste-isfar-sarabski-18964