Biography
Aziza Mustafa Zadeh is an Azerbaijani jazz pianist and singer born in Baku to renowned musical parents Vagif and Elza Mustafa Zadeh. Her extraordinary musical sensitivity was evident from infancy—at just eight months old, her parents discovered she would cry when her father played the melancholic mugham mode "Shur" and dance joyfully when he switched to the uplifting "Rast" mode. She made her stage debut at age three, improvising vocals with her father, and began studying classical piano at an early age with special interest in Bach and Chopin while developing a remarkable talent for improvisation. Tragedy struck when her father died of a heart attack in 1979 at age 39, prompting her mother Elza to give up her own singing career to nurture Aziza's musical development.
At 18, Aziza's mugam-influenced jazz style earned her third place in the 1988 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz piano competition in Washington, D.C., alongside American Matt Cooper. She moved to Germany with her mother around this time and released her debut album "Aziza Mustafa Zadeh" in 1991, showcasing influences from Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett blended with Near Eastern music. Her second album "Always" won her the prestigious Phono Academy Prize and Echo Prize from Sony, establishing her as a significant voice in contemporary jazz. She has since performed internationally with numerous jazz and traditional musicians, releasing multiple albums with her most recent being "Generations" in 2020.
Aziza currently resides in Mainz, Germany with her mother, who also serves as her manager. Her unique musical style, which she describes as incorporating mugam—traditional Azerbaijani folk music—into jazz improvisation, has created a distinctive sound that bridges Eastern and Western musical traditions. Beyond music, she enjoys painting and considers it one of her favorite leisure activities alongside sleeping. She maintains a spiritual belief in God while not identifying with any particular organized religion.
Fun Facts
- At eight months old, Aziza would cry when her father played the sad mugham mode "Shur" and immediately start dancing when he switched to the joyful "Rast" mode, demonstrating extraordinary musical sensitivity before she could even speak
- She won third place in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz piano competition at age 18, competing against American pianist Matt Cooper
- Her second album "Always" earned her both the Phono Academy Prize and the Echo Prize from Sony, two of Germany's most prestigious music awards
- She returned to Azerbaijan in June 2007 for the Baku Jazz Festival, performing at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater and headlining the festival's closing concert at the outdoor Green Theater
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Vagif Mustafa Zadeh - Father and primary musical influence who introduced her to mugam and jazz fusion (Early improvisations and stage performances together) [1969-1979]
- Elza Mustafa Zadeh - Mother and manager who gave up her singing career to nurture Aziza's talent (Ongoing management and musical guidance) [1979-present]
Key Collaborators
- Various jazz and traditional musicians - International performances and collaborations (Multiple albums and live performances) [1991-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Top Tracks
- Desert Rose (Desert Rose)
- Ride It (Ride It)
- Nasini (Nasini)
- Desert Rose (Desert Rose)
- Broken Angel (Broken Angel)
- Hiya Hiya (Hiya Hiya)
- Lost You (Lost You)
- Ya La La (Ya La La)
- Dooset Daaram (Dooset Daaram)
- Nasini El Donya (Nasini El Donya)
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
AZIZA has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 2025 | 16:35 | WALKIN THE WALKfrom AZIZA | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ T.R. Johnson |