WORLD MUSIC GULI-BONU Producer Center


Contact Us: Bobur str. 20, room 207 700100 Tashkent, Uzbekistan tel.: (+998-712) 55-24-58 (+998-712) 53-14-07 tel./fax : (+998-712) 55-24-58 cell: (+998-71) 187-24-58 e-mail: gulnara@albatros.uz olgerdviz@mail.ru London's Queen Elizabeth Hall Overwhelmed By Abbos Group BVV Business Report ...It's not often that trumpeter John Wallace is outdone for sheer musical power. But in Trumpets! - a celebration of the instrument and its ancestors that he curated for the London Sinfonietta - he came off second best in a musical showdown between western classical instruments and the traditional ones of Uzbekistan, UK's Guardian reported... ...Lined up against the three karnay players of Abbos, a group of Uzbek virtuosos, Wallace and other members of London Sinfonietta were overwhelmed by their music. This improvisatory collaboration was part of Peter Wiegold's The Great Heel, a set of compositions using the members of Abbos alongside with Sinfonietta. With a mixture of musical styles, encompassing Uzbek melodies and jazzy modernism, the pieces created a teemeing diversity. But the Abbos musicians were best revealed in a pre-concert event in which they played their own music, with its dizzingly complex rhythmic construction and subtle, microtonal tuning. After hearing the karnay and its music, the rest of the brass repertoire is liable to sound hopelessly effete... BVV Business Report \| originally published: May 12, 2003 A Sad Salvation At SXSW, you couldn't hear the bad news over all that music BY ROBERT WILONSKY ...SXSW has become a place where labels launch new bands and shill new product, but still the hopefuls come seeking elusive deals; there was Jack Lee, once a legendary Nerve and a Paul Young hitmaker, passing out two-song samplers in front of the convention center, grinning at the grunt work. But no one came farther looking for more than Abbos Qosimov, who brought from Uzbekistan a small version of his eponymous big band in search of U.S. representation and, yeah, even a recording contract. Abbos, which comes with two guys blowing Louis Armstrong notes out of karnay (a copper horn that looks like a tall lamp), wasn't on the SXSW schedule because it never turned in its registration paperwork; there had been a visa problem even after the Uzbekistan Ministry of Culture had requested the band's appearance. When it showed up, organizers were stunned and scrambled to find showcases; by week's end, Abbos had done three, including one at an after-hours party, where pretty young girls moved and grooved to the sound of the JB Horns fronted by Lester Chambers on a Middle Eastern kick. (You can hear them at www.uzonline.com/abbos.) Qosimov looks like a café au lait Larry Fishburne, and donned in white and golden robes and a skull cap, he was more the Rock Star than anyone else at SXSW. (Most bands look like they're fronted by guys who sold pot in high school or the girls who used to date them.) He was the sudden hit of SXSW, doing interviews for CNN on the convention center rooftop and beating hell out of four doiras (tambourine-like instruments) with his bandaged fingertips anytime someone asked. At 2 o'clock Sunday morning, as the band finished its gig in the black-box theater at the Hideout on Sixth Street and Congress, the audience of 100 cheered, stomped its feet against the wooden floor and stood for minutes that seemed like hours. Though he speaks no English, outside of a "thank you" or "jazz music," Qosimov needed no translator to understand what that meant... dallasobserver.com \| originally published: March 20, 2003 SXSW Scene The most fun you'll have this side of Uzbekistan Michael Corcoran American-Statesman Staff ...Several months ago, a band from the Soviet spinoff nation of Uzbekistan applied to SXSW and was accepted. But organizers never heard back from them, so they weren't put on the schedule. Thursday, the members of Abbos Kosimov showed up in Austin, wondering where their showcase was. Fortunately a band from Siberia had canceled, so the Kos' gang was put on the bill at Opal Divine's, where they had the crowd dancing to horn-and-percussion-driven music that sounded a bit like a blaxploitation movie soundtrack. The band also charmed shindiggers at Charles Attal and Charlie Jones' after-hours party Thursday in East Austin, the land that SXSW forgot... austin360.com \| originally published: March 18, 2003	ABBOS: \|pictures\| \|free music\| Abbos Kosimov, a renowned Uzbekistan artist, has started his professional career in 1990. Abbos became laureate of Doirist Contest in memory of Usta Alim Komilov, which was in Kazakhstan in 1991. In 1991-1994 Abbos Kosimov and his group “Abbos” took part in festivals and concerts in cities of USA, Libya, Greece, Bulgaria, Belgium, Estonia, and also in Moscow and Azerbaijan capital Baku. Doirist group “Abbos” was established in 1994. In 1995 they produced their first album “Zarbga-zarb” (“Beat by beat”) consisting of 12 melodies. Soon after that”Abbos” group was invited to take part in special TV program “Zarbga-zarb” of State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company of Uzbekistan. In 1998 “Abbos” doirist group was reorganized to national instrumental group “Abbos”, whish now consists of more than 40 artists: doirists, karnayist, surnaist, nogorachi, and dancers. In 1999 “Abbos” records its composition “Bayram Taronasi” (“Festivity Melodies”) and issues the second album of the same name. Also “Abbos” shoots clips for its compositions “Bolajonlar” (“Children”) and “Istiqlol Taronasi” (“Melodies of Independence”) In 2001 Olympic Champion Mukhammad Qadyr was for the first time to fight for Uzbekistan in a professional boxing tournament in the USA. “Abbos’ group was invited to open the tournament. Also in the same year “Abbos” participated in an international music festival in Japan. In 2002 in cooperation with Uzbekistan Ministry of Culture Abbos Kosimov has opened a music school in Khamza Music College in Tashkent where students study the art of playing Uzbek folk instrument. In 2002 Abbos Kosimov was invited by International Music University of Ethnomusicology Nanhua (Taiwan) and HandDrum Percussion College to hold studies of doira for Chinese students within 6 months. Abbos Kosimov’s third album was named “Istiqlol Taronasi” and consisted of 17 melodies. In November 2002 in the Palace of People’s Friendship in Tashkent Abbos group performed together with famous Italian artist Tony Esposito. In March 2003 Abbos Kosimov has signed a management contract with Gulnara Khudayberganova, Director of GULI-BONU Producer Center. In March 12-16 “Abbos” group took part in South By Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) in Austin, TX. After their successful performance at the festival CNN channel World Beat program interviewed “Abbos”. Also “Abbos” appeared on National Public Radio affiliate KUT-FM’s “Eklektikos with John Aeilli” show. Austin American Statesman and DallasObserver have published articles about “Abbos”’ participation in SXSW. Abbos Kosimov also was in the delegation of GULI-BONU Producer Center to Winter Music Conference in Miami March 18-22. In April 2003 Abbos and his five musicians were invited by the famous composer Peter Wiegold and London Sinfonietta to take part in a great project the Trumpets! This is a brainchild of virtuoso trumpeter John Wallace and traces a route through the instrument’s many roles in different ages and cultures. The performances took place on May 3rd -10th in Horniman Museum (London), Pollokshaw Burgh Hall (Glasgow), Royal Scottish of Music and Drama (Glasgow), Queen Elizabeth Hall (London). TOURS AND EVENTS ABROAD 2003 UK (Glasgow, London) workshop and concert tour, and performance in Queen Elizabeth Hall in the Trumpets! Program. 2003 USA (Austin, TX) South by Southwest Music Festival 2002 Taiwan (Tainan city) – Masterclass 2002 – Germany (Berlin, Dortmund, Leipzig, Köln) – Uzbek Culture Days and International Music Festival in Dortmund. 2002 – Greece (Athens)– Uzbek Culture and Folk Art Days 2001 – Germany (Frankfurt am Main) Uzbek Culture Days 2001 – Japan (Tokyo) International Festival 2001– USA (Washington, D.C.) – Uzbek Culture Days Note from John Wallace, the famous trumpeter: Abbos Kosimov is the consummate artist of the Doira. He is also a composer of great imagination, and the leader of a group of musicians who are breaking new ground in Uzbeki traditional forms. His work in Glasgow at levels – in schools, in concert, and at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama was inspiring and though-provoking, making many of us revise our ideas on music, history and tradition. Abbos enjoyed a sensational London debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, playing both on their own, and in concert with the London Sinfonietta, one of the world’s most expert contemporary music groups. Abbos is quite unlike anyone else – he has unique skills and a unique musicality. I recommend him to everyone most highly. John Wallace Principal