ZULF

Profile Information:

What instrument do you play?

Tenor and Soprano Sax, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet

How did you find out about the WDCJN?

www. washingtondcjazznetwork. ning. com

Where are you located?

DC

Tell us about yourself

Zulfugar Baghirov was born in the family of hereditary musicians in 1973 in Baku, Azerbaijan. At five, he started to play violin and after six years he had changed it to clarinet.

Zulfugar’s grandfather from the mother side was the great Soviet and Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev (1918-1982). His other grandfather Zakir Baghirov (1916-1996) was also well-known Azerbaijani composer and a professor at the Azerbaijan State Music Conservatory. Zulfugar’s father, Elsad Baghirov is a conductor of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra and his mother, Zuleykha Baghirova is a piano professor at Istanbul Conservatory. Her elder brother, Zulfugar’s uncle Faradj Garayev is also a composer and a professor at Moscow State P. I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

During his student years at Istanbul State University Conservatory, Zulfugar has discovered enormous interest in jazz. Following his desire, he goes to Italy to attend Berklee School at Umbria Clinics. This experience influenced his plans for future and after the graduation he got accepted as a scholarship student to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

At Berklee, his private teachers were Bill Pierce, Harry Skoler, George Garzone, and Jim Odgren. Here he received another prestigious scholarship named after Joe Viola. This award was given by the Woodwind Department for outstanding achievement in musicianship. He also won a competition to play a concert on the EXPO 2001 at the Hynes Convention Center with his The Newbury Duo.

Since May 2003, Zulfugar resides in Washington, DC. He performs at local jazz clubs, such as Twins Jazz and Twins Lounge, Ellington’s on Eight, HR-57, and Utopia. In 2007, he participated in Baku International Jazz Festival with his ZJAZZ Quartet. Zulfugar recorded several CDs both as a leader and a sideman.

When asked to describe what it feels like to grow up in such a musical family, Zulf responds, "I think it's a great opportunity. I feel proud to come from such a famous family. I'm trying my best to live up to their legacy."

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