Usein Bekirov

Ukraine

Usein Bekirov is a Ukrainian-Crimean jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader, and one of the few Ukrainian artists endorsed by KORG synthesizers. His music experiments with jazz fusion, funk and ethno-jazz, and his original compositions are strongly influenced by Crimean Tatar, Ukrainian, Azerbaijani and Balkan folk music. The original recording of “Eastern Kaleidoscope” featured the six-time Grammy-nominated American jazz guitarist Mike Stern, and Bekirov has also collaborated with internationally recognized artists such as Bill Evans, Dennis Chambers, Ada Rovatti and Randy Brecker. At UCMF 2026 he headlined the festival’s Afterdark concert — a KOLO event co-hosted with The Ukrainian Museum — joined by New York jazz musicians Akili Bradley (trumpet), Wayne Escoffery (tenor saxophone), Bar Filipowicz (bass guitar) and David Hawkins (drums).

Jazz pianoEthno-jazz

Performed at UCMF

Afterdark (jazz set)

UCMF 2026 · Afterdark · Mar 21 · Jazz

A KOLO event co-hosted with The Ukrainian Museum; Ukrainian-Crimean jazz drawing on Crimean Tatar, Ukrainian, Azerbaijani and Balkan folk music

Performed by Usein Bekirov (Piano), Wayne Escoffery (Tenor saxophone), Akili Bradley (Trumpet), Bar Filipowicz (Bass guitar), David Hawkins (Drums)

UCMF 2026’s Afterdark concert at The Ukrainian Museum (222 E 6th St), presented with KOLO — the museum’s event series for young members of the community. Ukrainian-Crimean jazz pianist Usein Bekirov led a set joined by New York jazz musicians, epitomizing the festival’s 2026 “Mosaics” theme of Ukraine’s multicultural identity. The evening opened with a KOLO wine reception featuring a presentation by TISTO Acting Studio.

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