The Ashgabat jazz-loving public spent the evening of the first Sunday of 2020 together with professional jazz musicians of the Orchestra under Merited Cultural Worker of Turkmenistan Rovshen Nepesov.
The Christmas Jazz Concert featuring much-loved hits by Dave Brubeck, Louis Armstrong, George Duke, Bobby Timmons, among others, drew a capacity audience at the Turkmenistan Cinema and Concert Hall.
Tatiana Ovezmuradova, who compered the evening of jazz music, opened it with An Ode to Jazz and Blues’, she had written herself to express her love for the music genres.
Young singer Umyt Amanov gave the listeners an original musical treat by singing the famous song about a little fir tree in a jazzy manner.By the way, original interepretations, the improvisational drive and colorful renditions set apart each piece of music performed during the evening.
People’s Artist of Turkmenistan, percussionist Khakberdy Allamuradov together with Rovshen Nepesov presented ethnic music featuring the tambourine and harmonica that radiated positive energy and the personal charisma of the two maestros of improvisation.
Maya Annaeva, a singer with a velvety contralto voice, impressively sang the hit song Let My People Go’ by Louis Armstrong.The youngest singer featured in the concert, Nurbibi Nepesova, sang a touching song called The New Year’, making the audience truly immersed in the atmosphere of tenderness.
The festive concert was full of surprises.Rovshen Nepesov made a special musical gift to the audience by presenting his new works for the first time.The Gangnam Overture’ by Rovshen full of mysterious and exquisite poetics of the Land of the Morning Calm and jazz contrasts was inspired by his trip to the Republic of Korea.
The second work, The Dervish’ played by Serdar Khaidarov conjured up images of endless expanses of the Karakum Desert with velvety sand dunes.The mesmerizing and deeply expressive sounds of the tuiduk and dutar created a sense of space filled with golden glittery sand grains.
The spectacular performance by Serdar, and his stage outfit, whose decorative patterns and colors were reminiscent of Turkmen carpet designs, dramatically enhanced the eclectically diverse music.Closing the evening of jazz, Rovshen Nepesov performed his new yet untitled composition.
Since the musician had not decided on its name, he turned to his listeners for assistance, having invited followers of his Instagram account: orkestrrovchennepesov to participate in a contest for the best title.
As the evening of music came to an end, delighted with their journey into the world of jazz, positive emotions and even their homework assignment, the concert goers looked forward to meeting again the talented singers, musicians, and Rovshen Nepesov, the charismatic composer and extraordinarily versatile person.