is marked by metered rhythm. But mugham jazz does not follow a metered system. Both rhythm and scales are improvised. In recent years, interest to jazz mugham has seen rise in many western countries, particularly in the United States, Austria and Japan. In 1995, Jeff Buckley performed "What Will You Say" as a duet with Alim Qasimov at the Festival de la Musique Sacrée (Festival of Sacred Music) in France. Cultural significance In 2003, UNESCO has acknowledged the authenticity, richness and cultural significance of mugham both national and global culture, and in 2003 announced it as a “Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. Considered to be the classical music of Azerbaijan, the mugham is a traditional musical form characterized by a large degree of improvisation and draws upon popular stories and local melodies. The recent evolution of the cultural industry has threatened the improvisational nature and the ear-to-ear transmission of this art form. During his official visit to the country in August 2005, the Director-General of UNESCO, in the company of President Ilham Aliyev and several Goodwill Ambassadors, attended a foundation stone-laying ceremony of a Mugham Centre. In 2004, Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Lady of Azerbaijan, was named as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the oral and musical traditions. Since 2009, International World of Mugham Festival is held with the participations of famous artists from all over the world. Social impact The massive popularity of mugham resulted in a powerful impact on worldwide society. Many of mugham khanandas were known as country-loving, powerful, respectful characters, and mugham was popularly associated with sign of pain and hope during First Nagorno-Karabakh War. Mugham has lived and sounded in Azerbaijan in all periods, independently on political, public and economic situation and reserved its place in Azerbaijani culture. The mugham masters play tremendous role in transition of mugham from generations to generations. Notable Performers Individuals Female Malakkhanim Ayyubova Shovkat Alakbarova Konul Khasiyeva Sara Gadimova Gandab Guliyeva Sakina Ismayilova Tukezban Ismayilova Yaver Kelenterli Farghana Qasimova Nazakat Mammadova Rubaba Muradova Basti Sevdiyeva Jahan Talyshinskaya Nazaket Teymurova Male Aghakhan Abdullayev Abulfat Aliyev Ahmed Agdamski Shakili Alasgar Janali Akbarov Gulu Asgarov Arif Babayev Bulbuljan Jabbar Garyagdyoglu Talat Gasimov Zahid Guliyev Hajibaba Huseynov Mansum Ibrahimov Kechachioghlu Muhammed Sabir Mirzayev Alibaba Mammadov Sakhavat Mammadov Yagub Mammadov Zabit Nabizadeh Alim Qasimov Islam Rzayev Gadir Rustamov Khan Shushinski Musa Shushinski Seyid Shushinski Musicians Elnur Ahmadov Firuz Aliyev Habil Aliyev