Ukrainian composer Usein Bekirov about love to jazz and his musical career

Usein Bekirov is a professional jazz pianist who was born in Uzbekistan. Since his youth, Usein has been living and creating music in Ukraine. In 2016 he released first album "Tatterium" which consists of compositions based on Crimean Tatar folk songs. Two other albums "Moleskine" and "Hands" were released in the following years. In addition to them, the composer wrote many songs for theater productions, such as Gogol's "Overcoat" and Lesya Ukrainka's "Forest Song". Even now, when the country is at war, he continues to create new music.

Interviewer: Jazz. A rather banal question, but there is no way without it. Why did you choose this direction in music? Where did your love for this genre come from?

Usein: My father is the first Crimean Tatar jazz pianist. He is a member of the ethno-jazz ensemble Sato, which was created in Uzbekistan. The legendary Enver Izmaylov played together with my father. I listened to all this since childhood, I liked it. My father Riza Bekirov brought me love for jazz.

Interviewer: How did your creative path begin? You also graduated from a music school, then the academy... Tell us more about the time when everything was just starting.

Usein: After we moved to Crimea I was given to learn to play the violin. I graduated from the music academy as a violinist. But I was always drawn to play the piano I really liked it, probably because my mother is also a pianist. Therefore, I simultaneously learned to play both the violin and the piano. My musical career began right at the Simferopol Music School. Right from the first course. We assembled the Tutti ensemble, which was on tour. I created this ensemble with Jamala. We performed in the ensemble together until she moved to Kyiv. She entered the Kyiv Music Academy, then I moved to Kyiv and also entered the same academy to continue our work. That's how we recorded our first CD.

Interviewer: In 2016, your first album "Taterrium" was released. What inspired you during creation? How was the process of preparing the release of the first album?

Usein: "Taterrium" is an album that contains all my deepest works from a certain period of time. I made it a collection. Many Ukrainian musicians play there. My daughter and wife inspires me to write songs. Now they are far from me. I still try to hold on.

Interviewer: What projects are you currently working on? What new jazz hits can Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars expect already this year?

Usein: My new album was released that year. It was already a slightly more serious album. It's called "Hands". I recorded it with Ukrainian drummer Maksym Malyshev. World stars took part in the album, including Mike Stern, Turkish guitarist Sarp Maden. It entered the Grammy Long List that year. A single "Maalouf Song" I made in collaboration with Ibrahim Maalouf.

Interviewer: Has the present time somehow influenced your creativity?

Usein: I am in Ukraine, I teach at the music academy at the pop and jazz department. I work as an arranger with Ukrainian musicians, since I have a studio. I make a lot of music for movies and TV shows. I write arrangements for artists. Now it was less, because of the situation in the country. I have a cool colleague with whom I have been working for more than 16 years - Ihor Melnyk. My friend who helps me. Currently, despite the fact that it is difficult for us, there is no light, nothing will stop us. I make new music when there is light. I work hard for our lads (ed. - Ukrainian army), like all Ukrainians.

Photo from social networks of Useim Bekirov and picture with Jamala by Anastasia Gornostay