Flying High Above – Amina Figarova

Growing up in Azerbaijan, pianist and composer Amina Figarova fell in love with the music of Cuba and the Afro-Cuban diaspora. The connection may not seem obvious, but even in those early years Figarova could trace echoes of Cuba’s percussive heritage in the rich tradition of drumming to be found in the music of her native country. There was a direct musical exchange as well – the pianist recalls seeing the pioneering Cuban ensemble Irakere live in Baku. That formative passion helped spark the love of Afro-Cuban music that eventually led Figarova to her adopted home of New York and to acclaim as a prolific jazz musician and composer. Now, on her 20th album, Flying High Above, Figarova fulfills her lifelong dream of traveling to Cuba, collaborating with a mix of Havana-based and expatriate Cuban musicians on her spirited and deeply-felt “Suite for Havana.” Bridging those early influences and new experiences, the album also features a set of compositions recorded in New York with some of Figarova’s closest collaborators: flutist (and husband) Bart Platteau, her regular rhythm section of bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Rudy Royston, trumpeter Alex Pope Norris and saxophonist Troy Roberts. The album, out November 6 on the pianist’s own AmFi Records imprint, thus vibrantly showcases the vast breadth and continuing evolution of Figarova’s striking music. “I’ve wanted to travel to Cuba for the longest time,” Figarova explains. “Jazz and Cuban music were very popular in Azerbaijan when I was growing up, and I loved and was inspired by both of them. Finally, last year opportunity knocked at my door.” That opportunity arrived in 2025 via an invitation to perform with her sextet at the Havana International Jazz Festival. While there she also collaborated with a bevy of local musicians, several of whom perform on “Suite for Havana” – among them saxophonist Emir Santa Cruz Hernández, trumpeter Yasek Manzano, and drummer Oliver Valdés.