Uzbek Musician Ilyas Malayev Passes Away

Ilyas Malayev, one of the great torchbearers of shash maqam, passed away at his home in Queens at the end of last week. Malayev was a Bukharan Jew born in Uzbekistan, and studied both Uzbek folk and classical music, becoming an expert of both styles and ultimately becoming wildly popular among his countrymen. Malayev eventually emigrated to Queens, New York, where there is a sizable Bukharan Jewish population, and he became an important part of the cultural life of the Rego Park and Forest Hills areas. For more information on this amazing musician's work and life, read Ilyas Malayev's full obituary at the New York Times.