The song and video of Azerbaijan's Eurovision 2018 singer Aysel Mammadova will be presented on March 4, esctoday.com reported. The Azerbaijani traveled to the iconic city of Athens in order to film the video. According to esctoday.com, Azerbaijan’s entry will perform in the first half of the semifinal 1.

Azerbaijan’s rivals at the first half of the semifinal 1 will be Belarus, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Albania, Czech Republic, Belgium, Iceland, Israel and Estonia.

Representatives of Switzerland, Finland, Austria, Ireland, Armenia, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, FYR Macedonia have been included in the second half of semifinal 1.

Russia, Serbia, Denmark, Romania, Australia, Norway, Moldova, San Marino, and the Netherlands will compete in first half of semifinal 2.

Representatives of Montenegro, Sweden, Hungary, Malta, Latvia, Georgia, Poland, Slovenia, and Ukraine will perform in the second half of semi final 2.

Ten countries from each semifinal will qualify for the final.

Forty two countries will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. The logo and slogan of the next song forum – All Aboard! – were unveiled recently. The creative theme and logo of the competition are closely linked to the history of Lisbon and underscore the main values of the Eurovision, including diversity.

Aysel Mammadova, known under her stage name AISEL is a pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger. Between 1995 and 2006, she studied at the Bulbul secondary vocational music school. At the age of 16, Aysel entered the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, classic piano department.

Her vast experience in jazz festivals reaches far across the Azerbaijani borders. The singer has participated in music events held in Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Israel, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy.

She has also performed at festivals such as the Caspian Jazz & Blues Festival (2002), the Baku International Jazz festival (2005 & 2006), the MuzEnergo Festival of Music Improvisation (2007), Montreux Jazz Festival (2009), and the Caucasus Jazz Festival (2012).

Aysel has received special lessons from eminent musicians, including Alexander Coppaloni and Deborah J. Carter.

Aysel is a member of the Baku Jazz Centre and works on a project combining classics, jazz and electronic music with English lyrics.

Efsane Elesgerli,
”Khalg qazeti”