The foundation of Azerbaijani jazz, one of the main branches of jazz music, was laid in the late 1930s by the State Variety Orchestra, known as State Jazz, created by Niyazi and Tofig Guliyev. The first ensemble consisted of three trombones, the same number of trumpets, five saxophones, a grand piano, a guitar and a percussion instrument. The first concert program of the orchestra included plays by Niyazi and Tofig Guliyev on the same level as classical jazz.

After the end of the Great Patriotic War, Rauf Hajiyev became the head of the State Jazz. However, in the 1950s and 1960s, the anti-Western propaganda machine of the Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) severely damaged the development of this genre of music in the country. But despite all the restrictions, fans of this music gathered, listened to Western radio stations, and then tried to play the pieces of music they heard independently.

Until the 1950s, saxophonist and jazzman Parviz Rustambeyov was one of the most important figures in Azerbaijani jazz. Called “Soviet Benny Goodman”, P. Rustambeyov first created his own jazz orchestra at the Krasny Vostok (now Azerbaijan) cinema, and later at the Nizami cinema.

In the 60s of the last century, with the support and leadership of Gara Garayev, Niyazi, Tofig Guliyev and Rauf Hajiyev, the second life of pop and jazz music began in Azerbaijan. “Rock”, Rafig Babayev’s quartet is formed and finally the era of Vagif Mustafazade begins.

Vagif Mustafazade, considered the founder of lyrical jazz in the world, organized the Caucasus Jazz Trio for the first time in Georgia at the Tbilisi State Philharmonic (TDF). She organized the first Leyli women’s quartet, led the Sevil vocal-instrumental ensemble and the Mugam instrumental ensemble.

Vagif Mustafazadeh presented Eastern mugam in a language understood by Western listeners – ie jazz. The free nature of improvisation became a major part of jazz relations with mugham. Vagif Mustafazadeh understood this very well and in the early 60’s created a new trend in music – jazz-mugham.

Azerbaijani jazz is an unforgettable legend. Prominent representatives of national jazz are Salman Gambarov, Rain Sultanov, Aziza Mustafazade, Shahin Novrasli and others.

The Bakustik Jazz Center, created by Salman Gambarov in Baku, has always been well-received at festivals and competitions in Georgia, Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Founded by Rain Sultanov in 1996, Syundicate has become one of the world’s most popular jazz bands.

At the age of 17, Aziza Mustafazadeh won the Teloyenus Monk Piano Competition in Washington, D.C., and released her first album in 1991, Aziza Mustafa Zadeh. His second album, Always (Always), won him the Sound Academy Award, the highest German music award, and Sony’s Echo Award. A. Mustafazadeh deservedly represents Azerbaijani jazz in many countries with his beautiful performance in jazz and traditional styles.

Today, among the world-famous jazzmen is Shahin Novrasli, who amazed the most talented connoisseurs with his performances at international festivals in the United States and Europe. Moscow jazzmen called him “the new star of the world jazz scene.”

The first Baku Jazz Festival (BCF) held in Baku in 2009 marked a positive turning point in the development of jazz in the country. Since that year, the Baku Jazz Festival is held every autumn, and foreign jazz performers from many countries take part in the festival.

The second Baku Jazz Festival (BCF) in 2010 was remembered as one of the largest festivals in the world. Along with Azerbaijan, foreign jazz performers also took part in the festival.

The Baku Jazz Center, currently operating in Baku, contributes to the development of jazz in Azerbaijan.