Ulviyya recently gave an interview to Azerbaijani Day.az. The original Russian version can be found
here
- Ulviyya, tell us about yourself, please. It happens that few people and little is known about you, except for a circle of local jazz fans.
- I was born in 1983 and graduated from high school number 6, while studying the piano at № 21 music school ( also called Rostropovich). Then there was the University of the Arts - Faculty of pop singing and master's degrees, after which I received a degree in musicology.
I performed in the famous children's band Beri-Bakh led by Rauf Babayev. Currently I’m singing solo. Every Friday you can see and hear me in the Jazz Center.
- You could also be seen in the Baku office of BP ...
- That's right, I worked there for a long time as a logistics assistant. My life was divided into parts - until 18:00 – I worked in the office, after 18:00, I transformed into a singer. However, last Friday I became only a singer, I chose to leave company work . I decided to concentrate on my music career.
- Was the main reason that you were among the main candidates for the selection of Eurovision 2010?
- Let's just say - it was one of the reasons which pushed me to the decision.
- You have much to boast?
- Probably, in that I am one of the six candidates for the trip to Norway. I think that is not bad for the first time. And I can brag that I work with very professional musicians.
- How do you think you "shine" first among the six?
- I want to believe it. We all have a chance. I have very worthy rivals. I really like the singing and musical style of Ellie (Milk & Kisses). And Azad Shabanov also has a strong voice.
- How do you think what you are attracted to members of the jury selection of the organizing committee?
- (Thinking) I would guess, my musical style and tone of voice.
- Why did you choose such a profitless kind of music like jazz? After all, because of this you had to look for other work.
- The fact is that I have listened to jazz since childhood. Also, the repertoire of Beri Bakh consisted mostly of jazz compositions. As for jazz, as clearly a non-commercial kind of music, there are true fans. Jazz lovers can also invite you to sing at weddings or musical parties. However, besides jazz, I also sing ballads and Azerbaijani songs, those by Tofig Guliyev, for example.
- And how much does it cost to the customer to have you sing at the wedding?
- This is a commercial secret (laughs).
- And then, which musical instruments do you play and which languages do you speak, I hope that is not a secret?
- No, that is no secret. I play the piano, and am fond of electronic music. I speak Russian, Azerbaijani and an everyday style of English.
- And finally, the last question. What would it mean to you if you didn’t pass on February 2?
- You know, I'm not addicted to "Eurovision", because I live music. I existed before and will exist without the "Eurovision". If someone else wins, I will be happy to root for him or her because they will represent my country!
Get your own Ulviyya T-shirt now! They are available at FotoMarkez, the FujiFilm studio in the back of Molokan garden (Merdanov Qardashlar street 6). Just go in and tell them you are a fan of Ulviyya and want to buy a shirt. It takes about 30 minutes to print. If you want, you can call ahead at 493-88-47 or 493-28-85.
One of the many ways jazz is freer than pop music is in covers. In pop music, certain songs are ‘owned’ by certain artists who get nervous and insecure about them being played by others. And we as listeners closely identify songs with the artists who first performed them, even if later versions are better. But jazz is different. Almost 150 artists have recorded versions of Cry Me a River. Over 200 have recorded versions of As Time Goes By. Other standards like All of Me or Sway have been made popular by, not one, but dozens of artists. While the song is the same, the artists expresses their own sentiments and styles in their own personal version. The key and rhythm may change and sometimes even part of the lyrics. Jazz becomes the anti-karaoke. Instead of simply singing along to another artists’ work, the jazz musician makes every song become a personal statement.
Norah Jones can’t really be classified as a jazz artist, though her breathy throaty voice immediately reminds one of the best of sensual jazz vocalists. In her new album, Jones takes a further step away from jazz without converting all the way to pop. While some condemn forever to being the background music at Starbucks, Jones has always been willing to show her various influences including jazz, country, alternative, and rock ballads (Jones, unbelievably, also has a punk band called El Madmo).
