Gaya Quartet
| Company type | Vocal quartet / Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, entertainment |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Founder | Rauf Hajiyev |
| Defunct | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Baku , Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Union |
Area served | Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, USA, Cuba |
Key people | Arif Hajiyev, Teymur Mirzoyev, Lev Yelisovetski, Rauf Babayev |
| Products | Vocal music performances and recordings |
“Gaya“ () was a vocal quartet from Azerbaijan, consisting of Arif Hajiyev, Teymur Mirzoyev, Lev Yelisovetski, and Rauf Babayev. Active between 1972 and 1988, the group showcased performances in various languages including Azerbaijani, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, and English. The ensemble originated in 1961 when Rauf Hajiyev formed it within the Azerbaijan State Estrada Orchestra. Throughout their career, they collaborated with distinguished composers such as Tofig Guliyev, Fikret Amirov, Rauf Hajiyev himself, Vasif Adigozalov, Faraj Garayev, and Tofig Babayev.
Origins and Initial Progress
Throughout its history, the quartet experienced member changes, with the most prominent lineup featuring Teymur Mirzoyev as artistic manager alongside Arif Hajiyev, Rauf Babayev, and Lev Yelisovetski. Both Mirzoyev and Hajiyev received their musical education at the Musical School named after Asaf Zeynally affiliated with the Baku Academy of Music. The early ensemble also included Adil Nazarov on double bass and Rauf Babayev handling percussion. Lacking an indoor rehearsal venue initially, rehearsals took place outdoors, which helped them build a local audience through informal concerts. Their talents led to an invitation from Rauf Hajiyev to join the symphonic orchestra of the State Broadcasting Company of the Azerbaijan SSR.
Under the guidance of musical director Anatoliy Kalvarskiy and with program input from Boris Sichkin and Arkadiy Arkanov, the group's repertoire broadened. After Adil Nazarov relocated to Moscow, Lev Yelisovetski joined, establishing the quartet’s definitive lineup. Their early stage works included Rauf Hajiyev's “Baku” and Aziz Azizov's “Tez gel yar.” Extensive tours throughout the USSR followed, along with their initial international tour to Algeria.
Partnership with Murad Kajlayev and Growth
Upon leaving the estrada orchestra, Murad Kajlayev—the artistic director of Makhachkala Philharmonic—invited them to establish Dagestan’s pioneering estrade group named “Gunib.” Their setlist combined Kajlayev’s compositions with folk tunes and contemporary popular music. Arrangements were overseen by Teymur Mirzoyev and Rafig Babayev (musical manager). Achieving nationwide acclaim, “Gunib” toured extensively across the USSR and produced recordings under Melodiya. The ensemble returned to Baku in 1965.
Performing as “Gaya”
Following a short break, in late 1965 they toured the Far East under the name “Gaya,” which translates to “rock” in Azerbaijani. They shared the stage with Muslim Magomayev and pianist Chingiz Sadykhov, delivering 120 concerts over four months that greatly enhanced their visibility in new markets.
Vocalist Competition in Moscow
The quartet's reputation soared after winning a vocal contest held in Moscow in 1966. Although invited only two weeks prior with limited preparation time, Gaya performed ten songs and secured victory. This success propelled them to widespread recognition across the USSR, establishing a devoted following.
The ensemble “Gaya”
In 1972, the Soviet authorities officially recognized the quartet as a state ensemble. That year marked the creation of a unique show program for Gaya, featuring a script written by Mark Rozovskiy and Yuli Gusman that incorporated a suite from the rock-opera Jesus Christ Superstar. To expand into a sextet formation, Tamilla Aghamiyeva and Galina Barinova joined the group. In this production, Rauf Babayev portrayed Jesus, Lev Yelisovetski took on the role of Judah, and Galina Barinova played Magdalena. The costumes were designed by Vyacheslav Zaitsev. This show enjoyed widespread acclaim throughout the Soviet Union.
Subsequently, Gaya introduced another acclaimed performance titled Lights of the Big City at Baku’s Lenin Palace (currently known as Heydar Aliyev Palace). This three-hour spectacle featured Azerbaijani folk melodies, songs from across the USSR, and pieces celebrating friendship. It culminated with a theatrical segment called “Old Baku” that included scenes from operettas like Arshin mal alan and O olmasin, bu olsun. The ensemble toured extensively throughout Soviet cities and Eastern Europe, often concluding concerts by performing a traditional song native to each host country—an approach that impressed international audiences.
The group also held performances in Houston, USA, followed by a tour in Cuba.
Conclusion of the activity
Over time, membership experienced several transitions. In 1985, a jazz orchestra was founded within Gaya, which was later renamed the State Estrade-Symphonic Song Ensemble. Additionally, a new rock band called Talisman emerged as part of the ensemble. By 1988, Lev Yelisovetski had departed, and subsequently, Teymur Mirzoyev moved to Israel. The original quartet disbanded and was restructured into the Azerbaijan State Ensemble Gaya.
In 2009, the children's vocal group “Beri bakh” was officially designated as the State Jazz Ensemble Gaya, with former soloist Rauf Babayev appointed as its leader.
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | ||||
| 1965 | "Songs of M.Kajlayev" | |||
| 1967 | "Vocal Quartet Gaya" | |||
| 1970 | "Songs of David Tukhmanov" | |||
| 1971 | "Songs of M.Kajlayev" on R.Gamzatov's poems | |||
| 1974 | "Gaya Vocal-Instrumental State Orchestra" | |||
| 1978 | "Horizons 1978-3" | |||
| 1978 | "Our song" | |||
| 2001 | "Gaya – 40 Years" | |||