Azerbaijan-American Music Foundation

Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis Worldwide & Happy New Year 2026!

On behalf of the Azerbaijan-American Music Foundation, I warmly congratulate Azerbaijanis around the world on the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis Worldwide and the arrival of the New Year 2026.

This day reminds us that, regardless of where we live, we are united by our shared heritage, culture, and values. Music and the arts continue to serve as powerful bridges—connecting generations, communities, and nations.

May the New Year bring peace, unity, inspiration, and new opportunities for cultural dialogue and collaboration.

With best wishes for a united and harmonious 2026,
Jamila Javadova Slitzberg
Azerbaijan-American Music Foundation

A few highlights from the "Tribute to Joy" concert at the Baku Philharmonic Hall on October 24, 2025, organized by our foundation. Led by the distinguished American conductor Maestro Farkhad Khudyev, this event became a powerful moment of unity, harmony, and shared appreciation for the transformative beauty of music. The evening featured works by both Azerbaijani and American composers, including three pieces presented to the public for the very first time. The concert opened with the vibrant Dance from Niyazi’s ballet Chitra. The orchestra then gave the first Baku performance of Jahangir Zulfugarov’s symphonic poem "The Road to Shusha," a musical chronicle of the city that symbolizes Azerbaijan’s cultural identity after decades of tragedy. This was followed by another Azerbaijani premiere—"Circus" by Eldar Khudyev, with clarinet soloist Emil Bagirov. The evening’s third premiere featured “Come Sunday” by African-American composer Omar Thomas, with Sharif Bagirov performing the saxophone solo. The piece reflected the soaring spiritual traditions of African-American church music.

Conference Presentation Shots! Delighted with our winners: Rena, Tina, Humay, Alexandria, Behrang, Aleksei, and Polina.

Certificates of Excellence for our winners, designed by Mary Gibson.

Important Announcement!

Dear AAMF Followers,

I am thrilled to announce that the Program Committee Members have reached a unanimous agreement and finalized their decision in selecting the winners of the Building Musical Bridges through Research and Uniting Scholars Conference, held in memory of the late Dr. Aida Huseynova. They have carefully read and evaluated all submitted research papers. After thoughtful discussion and long deliberation, they decided to split the Aida Huseynova Prize between the first-, second, and third-place winners among our conference participants. It was not an easy task—there were many strong and original submissions—yet the jury selected the very best of the best.

We warmly congratulate the winners:

First Prize and Best Aida Huseynova Paper Award:

Rena Fakhradova – The Exchange and Interaction between Non-Western and Western Music in Connection to Azerbaijani Mugham
Tina Mohandas – Global Flows, Local Lenses: Articulating Belonging through Azerbaijani Hip-Hop

Second Prize and Best Aida Huseynova Paper Award:

Alexandria Sultan von Bruseldorff – Preserving Authenticity Through Innovation: Acoustic and Physiological Research on Azerbaijani Mugham Singers
Humay Ahmadova – Unoriented Orientalism, Accidentally Occidental, Or Just the New Music of Azerbaijan?

Third Prize and Best Aida Huseynova Paper Award:

Aleksei Rumiantsev — Invented Loyalty: Chuvash Recruit Songs between Folkloric Heritage and Military Propaganda
Behrang Nikaeen – Azerbaijani Estrada: Musical Form, Sociocultural Connotation, and Political Function

Honorable Mention and Best Aida Huseynova Paper Award:

Polina Dessiatnichenko – Phenomenology of Listening to Bayati Shiraz.

On behalf of the Program Committee and the Azerbaijan-American Music Foundation, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you all.

At the same time, we would like to emphasize that those who did not receive an award should be proud of their work. The competition was truly inspiring and highly competitive, and every contribution added meaningful depth to our shared scholarly dialogue.

Thank you all for your dedication to advancing music research and for honoring the legacy of Aida Huseynova through your scholarship and creativity.

Dr. Jamila Javadova-Spitzberg
on behalf of the AAMF board and the Conference Program Committee Members

Exciting News!

Friends in Azerbaijan will soon have another opportunity to experience the remarkable artistry of American Conductor Farkhad Khudyev, who will perform with the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra. (ASSO).

About a year and a half ago, Maestro Khudyev captivated audiences in Baku with his extraordinary skill and inspiring leadership, conducting works by both American and Azerbaijani composers at the Baku Philharmonic. We are thrilled to present yet another concert for audiences to enjoy his exceptional musicianship.

The AAMF proudly continues its mission of "Building Musical Bridges" - connecting Azerbaijani and American cultures through music.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the State Committee on Work with the Diaspora of Azerbaijan for their generous support of this event.