Arif Babayev

A.Babayev was born in 1938 in Saryhajyly, Agdam city. Khanende (singer), was awarded to the rank of the national artist in 1988, got professor degree in 1996, in 1998 was awarded with medal of honour and in 2008 was awarded with the order of independence. Arif Babayev in the second half of the XX-th century is the prominent representative of the Garabakh school of mugam.

He created his original performance style according to the Seyid Shushinsky’s, Khan Shushinsky’s, Zulfi Adygozelov’s performance traditions. Since 1960 his career is closely bind with Baku. Arif Babayev got his education in the Azerbaijan State University of Art and Culture.

Firstly to the State Philharmonic society of Azerbaijan, then was invited to the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theatre as soloist and on the stage of this theatre in mugam operas created a number of memorizable roles in performances as Majnun, Karam (in “Leyli and Majnun”, “Asli and Karam” byUzeyir Hajibayov), Ashyg Garib (in “Ashyg Garib” by Zulfugar Hajibayov), Jamal (in “Galin Gayasy” by Sh. Akhundova).

Mugam dastgahs as “Shur”, “Segah”, zarbi mugams as “Arazbary”, “Garabagh shikastasi” take special place in his activity. Especially, “Segah” mugam was performed by him in a high inimitable style. He introduced Azerbaijan mugam to music lovers in many countries of America, Europe and Asia. Arif Babayev is the professor of the National Conservatory of Azerbaijan, department of “Solo singing”.