The artists

Jabbar Qaryaghdi-oghlu, born 1861 in Shusha (d. 1944) is the oldest singer from whom many recordings are left. It may be one reason why he is the most well known artist of his time, though there were other great singers before him. The chronicles mention Mirza Sattar born in 1830, who sang at the court of the Shah of Persia. It seems that with Jabbar, the science of mugham-s and the vocal art reached perfection. Moreover, not only he had a very unique voice and extended diapason, but also his prestige had not spoiled his personal ethic and his pleasant temperament.
Kechechi-oghlu Mahammad (1864-1940) native of Shusha, he studied with Kharrat Gulu and Mashhadi Isi (d. 1905) and sang sometimes in duo with Jabbar. At the age of 60, he began to teach in Baku, at the invitation of the National Higher Conservatory. 
Meshhedi Memmed Ferzeliev was born 1872 in Shusha. He traveled extensively abroad to give concerts and died in Istanbul in 1962. In 1912, he was invited to Warsaw to record more than fourty mughams. In addition to the mugham-s, he brilliantly sung Azerbaijani old songs (mahni). 
Mejid Behbudov, born in 1873 in Shusha, moved to Tiflis, modern city and intellectually very active, which had a large population of Azerbaijanis. He died in 1945 at Qazakh, not far from Georgia.
Islam Abdullayev (1876-1964) spent his life in Shusha. After being remarked for his beautiful interpretations of Segah (with its several variants), he was welcomed into the circle of great masters and intellectuals gathered by Mir Mohsen Navvab who wrote 1884 the first treatise of Mugham. 
Qurban Pirimov was born in the Qarabagh in 1880 in a family of artists. Since his childhood he was fascinated by the tar and soon became the ultimate reference for this instrument until his death in 1965. He accompanies several singers on this anthology.
Mir Mohsen Aqa Seyid Shushinski, (1889-1965) is originating from the vicinity of Shusha. He also studied the science of mugham-s in the circle of Mir Mohsen Navvab, and his talent was such that Jabbar said that he could die in peace because he had found his successor. He made a long career marked by his personal particularly dramatic style. 
Zulfu Adygozalov (1898 - 1963) born in the district of Shusha, was noticed by Jabbar Q. during a concert, and on his invitation, established in Baku to work with this master. Subsequently he formed in his turn many singers.
Khan Shushinski (1901-1979), also from Shusha as its name indicates, enjoyed a thorough training with Jabbar Qaryaghdi-oghlu and Seyid Shushinski. His powerful voice, his knowledge of popular songs and mugham-s and his dedication to music earned him a great popularity.
Yaqub Memedov (1930-2003). While representing the Qarabagh style, he studied in Baku where he was highly appreciated not only for his art but for his wide knowledge of culture and poetry. He received the highest official honors reserved for artists. The included performance of Rast benefited from the new standards (the tape recording) which allow to record a mugham in its full dimension and extend it as a modal system (dastgah) with several modulations (shu'ba). In addition, instead of the tar and the kamancha it is sometimes a more complete ensemble which plays the interludes.
Abulfat Aliyev (1926-1990) from Shusha, was awarded in 1964 People's Artist of Azerbaijan Republic.