Yulduz Usmanova

While the Turkish, Persian, and Central Asian elements of Uzbekian folklore are preserved, Usmanova's music reflects the influences of Western rock, jazz, and dance music as well. According to German music magazine, Stereoplay, Usmanova's "rhythms and melodies are based on Turkish-Ottoman bar and harmony structures but avoid that harmony nerve-killing for European ears." A graduate of the Department for Oriental Music at the Conservatorium in Taschkent, Uzmanova attracted worldwide attention when she placed first in a competition at the first Voice of Asia festival in 1991. He...