Cigar & Jazz Expression: An Evening Honoring the 100th Anniversary of Avo Uvezian
Jazz is played without sheet music — pure improvisation and freedom of spirit. Cigars are much the same: their flavor unfolds in layers, from earth and wood to spices, leather, and warm chocolate. And the intensity of this unfolding always depends on the most important element — the atmosphere and the people around you.
On the eve of the jazz festival in Tashkent, the private club Cigar Academy Uz, together with HILL UZBEKISTAN and Legion, gathered guests for an intimate evening dedicated to the centenary of Avo Uvezian — pianist, composer, and creator of the legendary cigar brand AVO.
At the wine restaurant Nachalo, the setting felt almost cinematic: soft evening light, clinking glasses, unhurried conversations, and the delicate aroma of tobacco. This mood was perfectly complemented by a welcoming speech from Alsu Bashar, owner of HILL UZBEKISTAN, who wished the club continued growth and prosperity, expressing hope that gatherings like this — where taste, music, and people align in a single rhythm — would only grow in number.
The musical program was led by one of the country’s leading jazz ensembles, Jazzirama, under the direction of pianist Sanzhar Nafikov. The repertoire was conceived as a dialogue between eras — from the classics of the 1940s–1970s to compositions by Avo Uvezian himself from his album Legacy. A special highlight was the performance of Strangers in the Night — a piece the world commonly associates with Frank Sinatra, yet originally written by Avo.
The cigar segment of the evening proved equally expressive. Guests were introduced to the limited-edition vitola AVO Expressions EL 2024 (RG 50 × 165 mm, Toro format), with a release of just 6,900 boxes. The tasting was accompanied by a talk from Ali Albetkov, founder of "Kult Cigar", who shared insights into the maestro’s life and the evolution of the brand, now part of the portfolio of Davidoff.
During the intermission, the evening gained another dimension: Alisher Dzhabbarov (Legion) presented a gastronomic pairing — three expressions of Bushmills (Original, 10Y, and 16Y), subtly complementing the cigar’s mild strength (2 out of 5) and balanced profile.
Yet the essence of cigar club evenings lies not in the program or the setlist, but in the people who come together — to slow down amidst the rush of everyday life and truly inhabit the moment, when taste, sound, and conversation merge into a single rhythm. And it seems that it is precisely from this rhythm that a new cigar season has begun in Tashkent.
This article is not intended to advertise or promote tobacco products or alcohol. HILL magazine opposes smoking and the consumption of alcohol.
Expression: An Evening Honoring the 100th Anniversary of Avo Uvezian
