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How It All Started

The earliest photographs of my journey into the heart of Azerbaijani mugham show my first teacher, Zevulon Avshalomov, originally from Derbend, Daghestan, and I in the traditional costumes of the musicians of the South Caucasus.  Mr. Avshalomov, among his many capabilities, was a professional tailor and made the costumes for us, and for other American students who often joined us on stage for our concerts in NYC.  These photographs are from the mid 70's to early 80's.

Alternative Museum, NYC. Photos taken by Robert Stahman

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Alternative Museum, NYC. Photos taken by Robert Browning

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Bear Mountain Folk Festival, NYC. Photos taken by William Prensky

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Studio Shot. Photos taken by Leslie Holzer

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Private Residence, 1983. Photos taken by William Prensky

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NYC Rooftop. Photo taken by Francine Keery

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Robert Tennenbaum (left), David Hykes (middle), Jeffrey Werbock (right)






The next set of photographs were taken in Azerbaijan in June of 1989, during my first trip there.  The first photograph shows the famous tar ustad (tar maker) in Sheki.  Another photograph shows the great master of the kamancha, Habil Aliyev, who was kind enough to visit me in my hotel room (Intourist Hotel Azerbaijan).  Another photograph shows tar master Vamiq Mammadaliyev playing tar and Jeffrey Werbock playing kamancha in the home of Eldar Mansurov, son of tar great Bakhram Mansurov.  One photograph shows Jeffrey Werbock playing the tar belonging to Bakhram Mansurov.  Behind Mr. Werbock on the wall is a painting of the great master, Mr. Mansurov, playing on the same tar.

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The next set of photographs was taken in Baku at the Philharmonia in April 1991. It shows the mugham masters Adalet Vezirov on kamancha and Zamiq Aliyev on tar, with Jeffrey Werbock playing the gaval (frame drum) and singing Azerbaijani mahnilar (see lyrics to songs).  The photograph showing the man in traditional hat (papax) of mugham singers, Firuddin Shushinski, a scholar who is handing his book on mugham to Jeffrey Werbock.

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