Founder of Crimean Tatar music group dies in Crimea

One of the founders of the ethno-jazz ensemble "Sato", pianist and keyboardist Riza Bekirov, who was also the father of Ukrainian jazz musician Usein Bekirov, died in Crimea.

This was reported by the portal qirim.news.

The foundation for creating the unique sound of the ensemble was his academic education in the class of cello, which provided the works with a clear harmonious structure and verified form. The pianist's jazz parts were markedly influenced by progressive rock, in particular the work of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, which added special dynamics and dramatic tension to the keyboard parts.

In addition to his jazz work, Riza Bekirov made a significant contribution to theater. His music for such plays as Aslihan, Nameless Star and Mother's Heart was written in the classical tradition with a deep emphasis on rhythmic organization and national intonations.

Today, his son, Usein Bekirov, who was born in Uzbekistan but formed his professional career in Crimea, continues this work. Like his father, he works at the intersection of tradition and modernity, creating jazz interpretations of Crimean Tatar folk melodies. At the moment, Usein Bekirov has not yet provided official comments on the news of his father's death.

As a reminder, the State Agency of Ukraine for Arts and Art Education has handed over about 300 textbooks to art lyceums, as well as institutions of professional pre-university and higher education that train specialists in the field of musical art.

Within the framework of the Maqam project, the Svitarta NGO, in partnership with the Union of Lithuanian Tatar Communities, with the support of the European Union (House of Europe program), prepared and published the publication "Colors of Crimea: Arrangements of Crimean Tatar Folk Music for Piano'. This collection is a valuable contribution to the preservation of the musical culture of the indigenous people of Ukraine.

Катерина Глушко