For Ukrainian Crimean Tatar pianist, composer and bandleader Usein Bekirov, the album *Dedication* represents not only a new work but also a profound personal tribute to his father, the person who had first inspired him to become involved in music. After the death of his father, Riza Bekirov, in the spring of 2026, Usein has drawn upon the language they both knew in order to deal with his grief, to reflect on his memories and to acknowledge the lasting impact of family. Riza, who was a classically trained cellist and pianist and who also worked in the field of ethno-jazz, played a key role in shaping his son’s view of music as a place where tradition, experimentation and cultural identity come together. In the eight compositions on *Dedication*, this legacy is carried on, with the music moving from contemporary jazz, funk, fusion to classical influences while always maintaining its emotional aim. Instead of treating loss as something that can be easily resolved, Bekirov uses music to think about how the people who influence us continue to affect our lives even after they are no longer with us.
What makes the album so strong is the way Bekirov combines his cultural background with a modern musical style. By drawing on traditions from both the Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian cultures and incorporating modern jazz harmony, improvisation and rhythmic experimentation, he regards his heritage as an active element in the music rather than as a mere decorative feature. The outcome is a musical perspective that links personal history with a greater sense of identity and belonging. Bekirov takes the lead on piano and keyboards, acting as both composer and arranger throughout, and is backed by an international group of musicians comprising drummers Vinnie Colaiuta and Chris Dave, bassist Hadrien Feraud, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, saxophonists Kenneth Whalum and Wayne Escoffery, and other instrumentalists Rick Braun, Eric Marienthal, Yakiv Tsvietinskyi, Bar Filipowicz and David Hawkins. Because of the production by Randy Jackson, Robert L. Smith and Victoria Kohana, the group allows Bekirov the opportunity to explore various musical directions without forgetting the album’s intimate character. The arrangements are not merely a platform for the talented contributors; instead they contribute to a wider discussion regarding musical inheritance, cultural memory and the connections that can exist between generations.
The eight songs—“Bear Mountain”, “Skybins Portrait”, “Delusion”, “June”, “Crazy Heads”, “Today”, “Zurag” and “Maiden Voyage”—present an emotional journey in which remembering can be gentle and reflective as well as vibrant, restless and full of life. This variety is at the heart of the album’s message: grief is not a single emotion and the act of remembering someone does not require one to stay stuck in the past. The music instead indicates that the best way to honour the people we have lost is to pass on to the future some part of them. Having been born in Fergana, Uzbekistan, in 1982, Bekirov has developed a distinguished career in contemporary jazz, obtaining his degree from the Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine in Kyiv, leading groups such as Freenational, Ethnovation and the Bekirov Band, and working with musicians including Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Dennis Chambers and Ibrahim Maalouf. He was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine in 2021 and has already built up for himself a significant musical legacy. Nevertheless, *Dedication* holds a special place in this journey, as it brings his personal history into sharp focus and shows the influence on his artistic interests. Essentially, the album is concerned with what remains after a loved one has died: the lessons transmitted, the traditions which are preserved and the creative spark which continues to grow in another person. Riza Bekirov helped to open the door to music for his son. With *Dedication*, Usein pays tribute to that gift by carrying it forward.
About the Author
English