Duo Azat Bayazitov (Saxophone), Arina Oludina (Piano)

 

 

AZAT BAYAZITOV (saxophone):

 

“…unfettered imagination, no-limits technique, and heroic sound” – Ted Panken (DownBeat, Jazz Times)

 

“Bayazitov’s rounded sound, upper register slurs and studied approach reflect those early influences, but his focus and articulation bare the stamp of glossy mainstream New York” – Mike Hobart (Jazzwise)

 

“Bayazitov is a musician who plays across several genres, feeling that helps his overall vision. He just seemingly has music running through his veins and takes as many opportunities as he can get – rock, church, funk, Latin. This open-minded spirit and unbridled enthusiasm colors this truly uplifting album. Keep your eyes and ears tuned to Bayazitov. His confidence and expressive playing belie his youth” – Jim Hynes (Making a Scene)

 

“The Doors Are Open is full of lively music, inviting the listener in” – Patrick Hadfield (London Jazz News)

 

Azat Bayazitov is a Russian-born and New York-based outstanding saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator.

 

Azat is a Master degree graduate of the JAZZCAMPUS (Basel, Switzerland), studied with Mark Turner, Larry Grenadier, Jorge Rossy, Guillermo Klein, Domenic Landolf and many others, and GNESINS Russian Academy of Music (Moscow, Russia), teacher Alexander Oseychuk. The winner of international jazz competitions, ex-soloist of ‘Igor Butman Moscow Jazz Orchestra’.

 

He has been touring in the USA, Canada, Europe, India, South Korea, China, and Russia as well. 

 

In 2015 Azat released his debut album “IF YOU STILL TRUST” (Butman Music records) which was recorded in New York with the participation of Mark Whitfield Jr.

 

In 2017 Azat Bayazitov decided to move to New York. In 2019 Azat recorded his new album “THE DOOES ARE OPEN” (Rainy Days records) with David Kikoski, Adam Rogers, Boris Kozlov, and Samvel Sarkisyan. The recording session was held at Bunker Studio in New York. A new album was released in June 2020 and received critical acclaim from different reputable jazz publishers around the world.

 

In summer 2022 Azat recorded his 3rd album “EXPECTATIONS” in Basel (Switzerland)

ARINA OLUDINA (piano):

 

Arina Oludina is a classical and jazz pianist, currently studying at the Jazzcampus in the Music Academy of Basel, FHNW. 

 

Arina has been involved with music since her early childhood. She began playing the piano at the age of 5 and participated in the Improvisation Competition when she was 8. She has always been fascinated by music. At the age of 13, Arina attended a special school for children at the Kazan Conservatory (Russia), where she took part in various competitions and master classes, and also performed solo concerts. After graduating, she enrolled in the Conservatory to continue her classical music studies. During her time there, she participated in different master classes, competitions, and educational programs (please see attached diplomas). 

 

She has been performing at major Russian Jazz Clubs and other venues in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan. 

 

In 2022, Arina moved to Basel to study Jazz music under the guidance of renowned musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Malcolm Braff, Bänz Oester, and Vardan Ovsepian, among others. Arina is preparing to record her first EP in 2023.