ENVER IZMAILOV

With his self-invented "tapping" style of guitar playing, which allows him to simultaneously play harmony, melody and rhythm, Enver Izmailov is the Stanley Jordan of Asia. Combining jazz, Mediterranean modes, Oriental folklore and classical harmony, Izmailov continues to garner acclaim for his distinctive playing. The winner of the First European International Guitar Competition, held in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1995, Izmailov was voted "Musician Of The Year" by Ukrainian Music Critics the same year. Describing Izmailov's playing, Stereoplay wrote, "The rhythms of the Far East are intertwined with raga meditations from Indian heights". Alexey Kogan, a Kiev-based radio journalist took a similar view when he said, "(This is) very interesting, spectacular and unique music which can be described as 'borderless' or 'global'." Playing guitar from the age of fifteen, Izmailov studied the bassoon at the music school in Ferghana, graduating in 1973. After playing with a series of rock and jazz read more...