Layla Tazhibayeva pushes the boundaries of the traditional Kazakh violin's tonal capabilities
Layla Tazhibayeva: Pioneering the Modern Sound of Kazakh Music
Layla Tazhibayeva, a renowned Kazakh musician, is making waves in the global music scene by blending traditional Kazakh music with contemporary genres like Celtic music, rock, and jazz. Her instrument of choice is the kobyz, often referred to as the Kazakh violin.
The kobyz comes in two main variations: the academic kobyz, which resembles a violin, and the ancient kyl-kobyz, carved from a single piece of wood. Layla Tazhibayeva masterfully plays both, but it is her innovative fusion of these traditional instruments with modern sounds that sets her apart.
Tazhibayeva was the first musician in Kazakhstan to commission and perform on an electric kobyz, allowing her to seamlessly blend the soulful, healing tones of traditional Kazakh music with contemporary styles. This fusion has not only increased the instrument's international recognition but has also influenced contemporary music by inspiring new musical experiments combining ethnic traditions with modern forms.
Her work represents a major evolution in Kazakh music as she pushes the boundaries of the kobyz’s range, taking the ancient instrument beyond its historic folk usages into global, cross-genre collaboration. As a laureate of the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood, her influence is recognized both in Kazakhstan and abroad. She actively seeks collaborations that further expand the kobyz’s role in contemporary music, such as her aspirations to work with film composer Hans Zimmer.
Tazhibayeva's work is pivotal in modernizing the perception and sound of traditional Kazakh instruments, making them relevant to contemporary global music contexts while preserving their cultural essence. She continues to share the kobyz's healing, soulful sound with the world, pushing the boundaries of traditional sound and inspiring a new generation of musicians.
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