Rafig Farzi oglu Bakev (Azerbaijani, Rafiq Farzi oglu Bakev, 31/03/37, Baku — 19/03/1994) Azerbaijani musician, composer and conductor of Azerbaijani Jazz, as well as author of scores for film, People’s Artist (1993). Rafig Babayev, one of the Azerbaijani Coryphaeus, was born in Baku on March 31, 1936. He belonged to a large musical family. Farzi Babayev was Rafig’s father. He was detained by Soviet authorities. Rafig was raised in poverty by Shahbeyim and his three sisters. Rafig Babayev was one of four children from the family who went on to become professional musicians. Rafig Babayev received his musical education in a special musical school (1943-1950). He then entered the fortepiano class at Baku Musical School named After Asaf Zeynally (1950-1954). As a student, he was a musician instructor in an instrumental ensemble. He also became proficient in improvisation and jazz music. In his graduation examination program, he also had to take composition from Bill Evans, an American jazz pianist. Rafig Babayev began his career as a jazz musician. Rafig Babayev graduated from the Azerbaijan State Conservatory named in Uzeyir Hajbeyov’s honors program in 1959. He then became the musical manager of a jazz-instrumental band and went on a long tour across the Soviet Union with them. He met Rashid Behbudov in 1966 and established the Music Theatre. Rafig Babayev was invited by Rashid Behbudov to become the Music Theatre’s musical manager. They created a spectacular concert program. Rafig Babayev’s creative activities in jazz music continued during this time. He was always present at jazz festivals. Rafig Babayev’s group was awarded the Tallinn International Jazz Festival laureate in 1967. Rafig Babayev was particularly noted for his composition in harmony with “Bayati-Kurd” mugham. Rafig Babayev received the honorary title of Honored Artist in Azerbaijan in 1978 for his outstanding contributions to Azerbaijan’s musical culture. He was appointed chief conductor and artistic manager of Symphonic Estrada Orchestra, Azerbaijan State Broadcasting Company in 1984. Rafig Babayev was a great teacher and mentor to young vocalists and instrumentalist musicians. Rafig Babayev established a group of soloists under this orchestra, which was extremely popular in Azerbaijan as well as in other countries. Gennadiy Stephaniev (flute, Saxophone), Rauf Singhov [bass guitar], Alesger Abbasov [guitar], Siyavush Kirimi (oud and keyboard instruments], Jamil Amirov (“keyboard instruments”), Tofig Jabbarov (“percussion instruments”), Firuz Ismaylov (“synthesizer”), Ramin Sultanov “percussion instruments”), Emil Hasanov (bass guitarist), Vagif Aliyev) (percussion instruments), Emil Hasanov” (bass), Vagif Aliyev) (bass Guitar), Emil Hasanov percussion instruments), Vagif Aliyev, (bass), Emil Hasanov (bass), Emil Hasanov (bass), Emil Hasanov, bass guitar), Vagif Aliyev, percussion instruments), Emil Hasanov, Emil Hasanov (bass), Emil Hasanov, Emil Hasanov,bassanov, Bass guitar), Vagif Ayev, percussion instruments), Vagif Alyev (percussion), Rafig Babayev, a folkloric jazz musician, founded the “Jangi” recording studio in 1991. This allowed the group to realize their musical projects. They performed colorful compositions using folk instruments and enriched them with unusual harmony. Rafig Babayev, who was a member of the Union of Composers as well as the Union of Cinematographers gained international fame as a musician, composer, pianist, public figure, and organizer of many creative contests, viewings, and festivals. He created a great number of jazz compositions, pieces and songs, as well as arrangements for folk songs and scores for over 20 films. Rafig Babayev was awarded the title of People’s Artist of Azerbaijan in 1993 for his contributions to Azerbaijani culture. Babayev’s Jazz Band arrived in California in 1993 to perform in Los Angeles, and the Bay Area. Rafig Babayev was murdered in the 1994 Baku Metro Bombings. From Wikipedia
