Silk Road Ensemble Artists

Alim Qasimov
vocalist (b. 1957, Azerbaijan)

Born in 1957, Alim Qasimov grew up 100 kilometers from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Following a stint in the army, he held various odd jobs in the oil industry. In 1978, he began his conservatory studies with Agha Khan Abdullaev, who instructed him in the art of the mugham [moo GOM] (virtuosic improvisatory style). In 1999, in recognition for his musical contributions to world peace, Alim Qasimov was awarded the coveted International IMC-UNESCO Music Prize. Past winners of the prize include Yehudi Menuhin, Ravi Shankar, Olivier Messiaen and Daniel Barenboim.

Alim Qasimov performs with the Silk Road Ensemble.