Ulytau (group)

The name was given by the name of the Ulytau massif (from Kaz. Uly tau - the great mountain ) in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan. The initial idea of ​​creating the Ulytau group belongs to the well-known Kazakhstan producer, which was implemented in 2001. Thus was born an instrumental musical project called “Doskrip” (from the words “dombra” and “violin”). Initially, it consisted of a violinist - Niali and dombra-Batyrzhan. But soon the composition of the group changed dramatically. And now dombra player Yerzhan Alimbetov (student of the Alma-Ata Conservatory) and the famous classical violinist Aida Ayupova played in it. And some time later Maxim Kichigin joined the duo - guitar (ex - Forest Gump). The group’s creativity, along with native Kazakh and Turkic, contains elements of western and eastern musical cultures.

The World Championship of Musical Performers, which was held in Hollywood (USA) from October 7 to 14, 2001, was the first serious test for young musicians, but they not only passed it with honor, but also won the Grand Prix and the Gold Medal. The musicians of the ULYTAU group won their victory in a difficult struggle, where representatives of 86 countries of the world took part.

The trio became a laureate of the Tarlan Independent Award - a special prize “Hope” in the nomination “Music” and a Laureate of the Prize of the Youth Union of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

But in 2003, in connection with the departure of Aida Ayupova, a new violinist Nurgaysha Sadvakasova (2003-2007) came to the group ^[ 2003 ^] after Aida Ayupova there was another violinist, then only Nurgaysha

Kydyrali Bolmanov, presenting the band’s first solo album in 2006, said: “For the first time, an album recorded on the best Moscow studio of Vladimir Osinsky appeared on the Kazakhstani market. The album was recorded in Los Angeles at the Paramaunt Records studio (USA) by sound producer Tim Palmer. "

The album was named "Zhumyr Kylysh" by the same name kyuh of Makhambet and contains 10 compositions to the music of Kurmangazy, Makhambet, Tlendiev, Shalmyrza, Kazangap, Vivaldi and Mozart. Oriented to a European listener, the disc is designed in Russian and English. A Kazakh-language version is being prepared for the Kazakh listener. “We took a long time to record this album,” says Kydyrali Bolmanov, “and today our dream has come true!” The group is full of strength and is ready to speak to any audience in the world! ”According to him, disk rental will be provided to channels such as Channel V and MTV.

Along with the presentation of the first disc, project managers also announced a change in group members. Now the famous musicians invited from Russia play in the Ulytau team. Among them is Igor Javad-Zade , a drummer who worked with the brightest Russian pop stars. The second new member of the group is Dmitry Goloshchapov , a bass player who previously played in the Forest Gump band.

“I'm tired of pop and merchant music,” says Igor Javad-Zade, “I'm terribly interested in working in this Asian project and playing real instrumental music.” But this is not the main thing. A significant role, according to the first CIS drummer, was played by the "burning" eyes of the UlyTau participants.

“I am here because I feel the prospect”

- said Igor Javad-Zade a little pathetic, but sincerely

It was interesting to hear the opinion of the musicians themselves. Yerzhan Alimbetov (dombra): “For me this is a unique opportunity to boldly experiment. Everyone is used to perceiving dombra as a classic, even somewhat outdated instrument. ” Nurgaysha Sadvakasova (violin): “I am extremely happy to work in this team, this was my cherished dream. I’m in love with this music and the people around me now. ” Maxim Kichigin (guitar): “It seems to me that the guitar has never acquired such an interesting sound.”

In 2009, after a performance at a rock festival in Romania, they were invited to a joint European tour by the famous American heavy metal band Manowar ^[3] .

In 2010, the group again became a trio with a new violinist, audition was held by Alua Makanova ^[4] .

1. “Zhumir Kylysh” - 2006 ^{[5] [6]} (European version - Two Warriors, 2009)] ^[7] .
2. “Zugzwang” - 2010 (soundtrack from the film of the same name) .
3. “New Day” - 2011.

• 2001 - diploma “Golden Disc - 2001”, V Kazakhstan Song of the Year, for the best song of the decade (ky “Adai” - Kurmangazy).
• 2001 - the best instrumental group at the ceremony of presenting the channel "A-1" (NTK).
• 2001 - Grand Prix and Gold Medal at the World Championship of Music Performers ( Hollywood , USA ), composed of: Aida Ayupova - violin, Yerzhan Alimbetov - dombra, Maxim Kichigin - electric guitar.
• 2001 - Laureate of the Independent Award " Tarlan " - a special award "Hope" in the nomination "Music".
• 2002 - at the ceremony of presenting musical awards of the national hit parade of the media holding “Channel 31” - the best instrumental group - for their contribution to the development of Kazakhstani music, as recognition of popularity, performing skills, creativity and talent.
• 2002 - Laureate of the Prize of the Union of Youth of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• 2003 - the new violinist Nurgaysha Sadvakasova (ex - “Rakhat-Lukum”).
• 2004 - performance by invitation in a concert of the Turkish star Tarkan .
• 2005 - members of the group were awarded the title "People and Honored Artists of the Chechen Republic and the Republic of Ingushetia" for their version of "Lezginka".
• 2006 - clip "Zhumir Kylysh" ^[8] .
• 2006 - winners in the final grand concert of the national prize "Musical Chip" with a prize of $ 300,000 ^[9] .
• 2007 - Representatives of the world-famous label “I-music” awarded Ulytau with a Golden Disc for half a million copies of the album “Two Warriors” sold (reissue of the debut “Zhumir Kylysh” ^[10] .
• 2009 - the video “Akzhelken” was released (soundtrack to the film of Eldor Urazbaev “Bottlenose Jump”).
• 2009 - participation in the B'ESTFEST rock festival (Romania), then a summer tour of Europe with the famous American heavy metal band Manowar .
• 2010 - new violinist Alua Makanova (student of the conservatory).
• 2010 - “Beyond Conventions” (Maxim Kichigin’s guitar solo album) ^[11]

• Official site of the Ulytau group
• Photos and report from the Manowar and Ulytau concert in Moscow July 2009
• Sounds of the Great Mountain - article about the Ulytau group in the Yep magazine