Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and sponsored by Garanti Bank for 22 years, the Istanbul Jazz Festival will once again host leading names and new discoveries from the world of jazz, as well as the stars of contemporary music between 29 June and 18 July 2019. The festival will feature more than 300 names in 27 different venues around Istanbul.
The 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival will offer a festival experience full of discoveries in June and July with more than 50 concerts featuring veterans and new discoveries of jazz, well-known ensembles and new horizons of contemporary music.
Highlights of the festival
The surprises of the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival this year include saxophonist, composer, producer and contemporary jazz legend with the group leader identity Kamasi Washington; Michael League’s project with sophisticated compositions and groundbreaking improvisation style Snarky Puppy; virtuoso pianist and composer Aydın Esen; the composer and vocal around jazz, R & B and hip-hop genres José James; one of the most inventive musicians of the new generation, producer, composer and drummer Makaya McCraven; a star thanks to the songs he has composed, recorded and played with his own instruments Jacob Collier; one of the leading pianists of contemporary jazz Bill Charlap; another star of the jazz piano Shai Maestro; a pioneer name of the jazz trumpet Paolo Fresu; a Swedish jazz bassist, composer and record producer with his creative musical style Lars Danielsson; jazz singer who masterfully combines jazz, blues and soul melodies Mélanie de Biasio; known with jazz improvisations around reggae, soul, afro-beat and latin rhythms Nubiyan Twist; pianist and composer who captured a modern musical language by combining Azeri folk music with jazz Elchin Shirinov and more…
Festival’s stellar section: Vitrin: Showcase for Contemporary Music from Turkey
Following the success of the editions in 2017 and 2018, the festival will once again organise Vitrin: Showcase for Contemporary Music from Turkey that supports successful musicians and ensembles of the local scene in their global outreach, with the sponsorship of SOCAR Turkey, on 3-6 July 2019. A group of international delegates composed of leading representatives of international music industry and journalists will explore contemporary music from Turkey together with the festival audience during the first four days of the festival.
The Festival Spreads Over Two Sides of the Bosphorus
The free open-air event, Jazz in the Parks will go beyond its traditional venues Fenerbahçe Khalkedon and Fenerbahçe Park, and bring jazz music also to a newer park at the outskirts of Istanbul, Beylikdüzü Yaşam Vadisi Parkı on the European side of the city. For the first time this year, under the name of Ah Şu Cazlar Blues’lar, local and foreign brass bands and jazz ensembles will bring the energy of music to a park in Halıcıoğlu near the Golden Horn.
One of the hallmarks of the festival, an over-night music marathon Night Out, on its 5th edition, will give the stages on the Asian side of the Bosphorus to the most promising independent artists of the local scene in 7 different venues.
With the Vitrin Tour to be held for the first time this year, the jazz lovers will have the chance to listen to the different names of the local scene live on stage at three different places in Şişhane.
The festival programme will also feature A Childlike Day with performances and workshops penned for children.
One of the legends of the Istanbul Jazz Festival will come back this year. As one of the indispensable events in the festival history, Jazz Boat sails to Bosphorus, carrying the festival joy once again after 9 years. During the long-expected trip of the Jazz Boat, which was highly anticipated by festival audience for a long time, various jazz ensembles and DJ’s from Turkey and abroad will take the stage.
The 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival Press Meeting
The programme of the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival was announced at a press meeting held on the evening of Monday, 25 March at Feriye. Speakers of the meeting were General Director of İKSV Görgün Taner, the Executive Vice President of Garanti Bank Didem Dinçer Başer and Istanbul Jazz Festival Director Harun İzer.
In his opening speech, İKSV General Director Görgün Taner said: “This year, we will follow the festival directed by Harun İzer for the first time. A very exciting programme was prepared and I am sure that it will be an exhilarating festival for you as well. As you know, we have been conducting many activities for audience development. This year, there will be free of charge events within the Istanbul Jazz Festival. We are also preparing a children’s book for the festival. Once again, İKSV Culture&Art Card holders will be able to follow the festival with their cards. We also keep supporting successful musicians and ensembles of the local scene in their global outreach within the scope of Vitrin: Showcase for Contemporary Music from Turkey. As İKSV, we keep working gladly to make all of these possible, as always. We deeply value the contributions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as all public institutions, all our supporters and our main festival sponsor Garanti Bank, with whom we’ve been walking down this road since 1997.”
In her speech, the Executive Vice President of Garanti Bank Didem Dinçer Başer said: “As a company believing in the power of culture & arts on the road to develop societies, and dedicated to support this cause in the long term, it is valuable for Garanti to contribute to the spread of popularity of jazz music in Turkey. As Garanti Bank, we are proud to support the Istanbul Jazz Festival for 22 years, which has been successfully organised by İKSV. Thanks to the festival, we are happy to be a facilitator to increase the number of jazz enthusiasts, and to connect with thousands of music lovers.”
Istanbul Jazz Festival Director Harun İzer presented the festival programme and events. The press meeting was also attended by well-known artists and jazz musicians from Turkey.
Different experiences in diverse venues
Festival concerts will be held in different locations of the city, continuing to provide a whole new concert experience to the music lovers by turning unconventional spots into concert venues. Among the 27 venues that will host the festival this year are The Marmara Esma Sultan Mansion and Beykoz Kundura, which are unforgettable places in the history of the festival; and the garden of one of the oldest buildings in Beyoğlu, Palazzo di Venezio, which served as a festival venue for the first time last year.
Other festival venues include Feriye and Cemiyet for the first time this year, and Nardis Jazz Bar, Volkswagen Arena, Sultan Park Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Sakıp Sabancı Museum the Seed, Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage, UNIQ Open Air Theatre, UNIQ Hall, Fenerbahçe Khalkedon, Fenerbahçe Park, Beylikdüzü Yaşam Vadisi Park and Salon İKSV.
Night Out programme will once again take place in Kadıköy’s most beloved venues: All Saints Moda Church, Bant Mag. Havuz / BİNA, Kadıköy Sahne, Kadıköy movie theatre, KargART, Mecra and Moda Sahnesi.
A Legend is Returning; Jazz Boat sails to the Bosphorus after 9 years
Unquestionably one of Istanbul Jazz Festival’s most beloved events ever, the Jazz Boat is returning after nine years upon fan demand. Add the ferry tour to your schedule for this highly anticipated seafaring concert where a tour of the Bosphorus meets with music, and the city’s impressive atmosphere mixes with melodies. The Jazz Boat will depart from Kabataş Pier, have a stopover at Anadolu Kavağı and return to Kabataş.
Festival tickets to go on sale on Saturday, 13 April
Tickets for the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival go on sale on Saturday, 13 April at 10.30 and are available from Biletix sales points, and also from the box office of İKSV (every day from 10.00-18.00 except Sunday), where tickes can be purchased without a service fee.
Tulip Card holders receive special discounts of up to 25% on their ticket purchases. Priority sales for Black and White Tulip Card holders take place on 8-9 April, and on 10-11 and 12 April for Red and Yellow Tulip Card holders. For details please visit: iksv.org/en/membership-and-support/tulip-card-membership-programme
Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Awards
The 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to two veteran names of jazz, Hasan Hürsever and Ömür Göksel at the festival’s opening ceremony.
Drummer Hasan Hürsever began his musical studies in his hometown of Mitrovica, Kosovo. Hürsever, who came to Turkey from Yugoslavia stepped into his professional music career with the band “Kuyruklu Yıldızlar” and worked with many musicians including Atilla Şereftuğ, Özdemir Erdoğan, Ayten Alpman, Ali Kayral, Kayahan, Ümit Aksu, Esin Engin and Ayhan Yünkuş. He joined the TRT Big Band in 1980, founded by Süheyl Denizci. In 1987, he played with Fatih Erkoç, Neşet Ruacan and Ergun Eremkar in the International Pori Jazz Festival in Finland. After his retirement from TRT Big Band, Hürsever worked with pianist Şevket Uğurluer for many years. He continues his musical practice with his sons Hakan and Volkan Hürsever, who are pianist and double bass player respectively.
Selected as “The Voice King of Turkey” at the age of 18, Ömür Göksel gained huge success and popularity despite his young age with his extensive repertoire and ability to sing in different languages. During the 1970’s, he won gold records multiple times with his songs like “Mutluluk” and “Sevemem Artık”. In 1979, he decided to continue his musical practice abroad after receiving concert offers from Europe and USA. After this date, he pursued his professional music career in Italy, USA and Germany. Having achieved great success with his albums such as “A Touch of Quality” and “A Touch of Love” in the 2000s, Göksel continued working on in this series in the following years. Göksel continues his musical activities and often gives concerts with TRT Big Band.
Stars of the local music scene will shine at “Vitrin: Showcase for Contemporary Music from Turkey” between 3 and 6 July 2019
Vitrin: Showcase for Contemporary Music from Turkey will be held for the third time this year under the sponsorship of SOCAR Turkey on 3-6 July 2019. The series will focus on the successful musicians and ensembles of the local scene and will aim to provide them with a new opportunity to reach a wider international audience.
Vitrin: Showcase for Contemporary Music from Turkey, which builds on the objective of promoting the cultural values of our country and enhancing the intercultural dialogue, was developed as a project that focuses on jazz and contemporary music. The rapid development of music production in Turkey and the multitude of recently emerging musicians lead to new projects not only in Turkey but also in the international arena, receiving great interest and demand. This productive environment in the local music industry has motivated the Istanbul Jazz Festival, to offer an effective international platform for emerging artists.
The series will feature more than 30 successful contemporary music and jazz artists and ensembles from Turkey. The concerts, to be held between 3-6 July, will be attended by prominent representatives of the international music industry, in addition to the festival audience. In parallel with these concerts, Turkey’s contemporary music scene will be introduced to the international participants with panels and seminars. The sectoral meetings to be held will bring local and foreign music professionals together and establish relations that will encourage local artists to reach out to the international arena. One of the projects to be realised under Vitrin will be the SOCAR Turkey Silk Road Tour Support Award, worthy of 5,000 Euros which will be presented once again in order to support the international tours of the artists and bands participating in the programme.
Vitrin will feature concerts of the piano virtuoso and composer Aydın Esen and his group Aydın Esen Group, the band consisting of Azeri, Iranian, Kurdish and Turkish musicians from different cultures and geographies No Land, guitarist, composer and producer from Istanbul who makes a difference in our music scene with his the talent he projects in his skilfully structured songs and electro-acoustic productions Efe Demiral “Uyku Pansiyon”, jazz vocalist Duru And, a composer and performer in different styles of various genres and one of the most known free improvisation musician and her band Gülşah Erol Band, the inventor of the adjustable microtonal guitar Tolgahan Çoğulu and bağlama player Sinan Ayyıldız, known as one of Turkey’s most important drummer Turgut Alp Bekoğlu Love Jazz Quartet and trumpeter Barış Demirel – Barıştık Mı.
Some of the most exciting and alternative names of the independent scene such as Gaye Su Akyol, Eda and Big Band, Cava Grande, Elz & The Cult, Ah! Kosmos and The Kites give concerts in various venues in Kadıköy and Moda within the scope of Night Out event.
This year, three different venues in Şişhane will be the meeting points where jazz sounds rise. The 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival’s Vitrin Tour programme within the Vitrin, stops this year at Salon İKSV, Cemiyet and Nardis Jazz Club. The program will include No Land, Efe Demiral, Gülşah Erol Band and more…
The detailed programme and the complete list of artists included in Vitrin will be announced in May.
Festival’s award ceremony: Hasan Hürsever Trio and Balkan Paradise Orchestra
Tuesday, 2 July, 21.00, Austrian Consulate General, Austrian Culture Office Garden
This year the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival opens with a magnificent night yet again. Ömür Göksel, one of Turkey’s most prominent jazz singers who left his mark on the 1960s and 70s with his Golden Record Award-winning songs “Mutluluk”, “Sevemem Artık” and “Yanıyorum”, and master jazz drummer Hasan Hürsever will be presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Afterwards, Hasan Gürsever will be performing a mini-concert with his trio consisting of his sons Volkan and Hakan Gürsever, and leave the stage to the Balkan Paradise Orchestra. The band consisting of nine Barcelonian female musicians was founded in 2015 with the inspiration they drew from Balkan music. The synergy created by the trumpet, clarinet, trombone, French horn, tuba, percussion and drums turns every performance by the Balkan Paradise Orchestra into a musical feast. The night promises breathtaking hours of joyous polyphony music.
26TH ISTANBUL JAZZ FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Stars of the festival
Snarky Puppy // Shake Stew
Tuesday, 9 July, 20.45, UNIQ Open Air Theatre
Double bassist and composer Michael League’s collective Snarky Puppy, which has harmoniously evolved into its current spirit as it has grown in numbers over the years, blends sophisticated compositions with a pioneering improvisational style. The ensemble cemented their success with consecutive Grammy awards following ten years of extensive touring. They continue to glide in the skies of jazz, funk and rock with an inextinguishable sense of wonder. Snarky Puppy’s distinguishing exploratory attitude grows stronger with the fluid configuration of the band. Just as they favour the change in their repertoire, they also favour it in their performances; a selection of 8 to 12 musicians take the stage from over 30 at each performance. This merry band has been at its prime for the last four years, and we can’t wait to host them at the Istanbul Jazz Festival with the support of Birlikte Güzel. The night will be opening with one of Austria’s most exciting jazz bands, the Shake Stew septet known for its hypnotic music woven with afro-beats and grooves.
Kamasi Washington
Wednesday, 10 July, 21.30, Volkswagen Arena
Kamasi Washington has reinforced the breakthrough he made with his first album The Epic released in 2015 with numerous prestigious awards and strong collaborations. So far he has worked with star musicians and ensembles such as John Legend, Run the Jewels and Ibeyi. Washington has taken the stage at major world festivals such as Coachella, Glastonbury, Fuji Rock, Bonnaroo and Primavera. Firmly moving forward with his identities as a saxophonist, composer, producer and bandleader, Washington has once again highlighted the importance of multiculturalism he often cites with his music, by participating in the 2017 Whitney Biennial with a multimedia installation. His film As Told To G/D Thyself produced with the filmmaker collective Ummah Chroma has made its premiere at this year’s Sundance Festival. Kamasi Washington performance where hip-hop and R&B tunes gladly yield to jazz will be at the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival.
Jacob Collier // Makaya McCraven
Thursday, 18 July, 21.00, UNIQ Open Air Stage
The Y Generation genius Jacob Collier became famous for streaming YouTube videos from his room. He won two Grammys with his self-released and self-composed album In My Room. Besides grabbing Quincy Jones’ attention and working with Herbie Hancock and Hans Zimmer, Jacob Collier shared the stage with stars such as Pharrell Williams. Last year he released the first album of his tetralogy project Djesse. This young star opens the gates to a dreamlike realm with the songs he creates using his boundless imagination and blending many genres. Besides jazz, his music carries elements of a cappella, groove, folk, trip-hop, classical music, Brazilian music, gospel and soul, all of which he mixes with fabulous improvisation. The festival audience will be in awe of producer, composer and drummer Makaya McCraven, known for his inventions and for blurring the lines between jazz and electronic music for the first concert of the evening. His self-appointed nickname “the beat scientist” describes McCraven well. The extremely level-talented musician is among the most sought out names of today’s Chicago music scene. His album released in 2015 In The Moment is a revolution in jazz and has already been marked as one of the most inspirational and influential milestones of new generation jazz.
Unique concerts from the most successful jazz musicians
José James Presents: “Lean On Me”
Wednesday, 3 July, 21.00, Sultan Park – Swissotel Istanbul
Composer and singer José James, who weaves his distinctive music around jazz, R&B and hip-hop elements, is one of the most praiseworthy musicians of the jazz scene in the last ten years. He has released seven albums so far and managed to receive praises from music critics and jazz enthusiasts worldwide. He has performed on numerous international venues including Central Park Summerstage (New York), The Kennedy Center (Washington), Royal Festival Hall (London) and Billboard Live (Tokyo). Considered among the most prominent representatives of contemporary American Jazz, the musician continues his music journey with the addition of his latest album Lean On Me dedicated to Bill Withers. José James will take the stage with his band as the guest of the Istanbul Jazz Festival at Sultan Park performing Bill Withers repertoire.
Aydın Esen Group
Friday, 5 July, 19.30, UNIQ Hall
Piano virtuoso and composer Aydın Esen will be visiting the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival with his improvisations containing electronic elements as he soars the skies of fusion jazz and post-bop. One of the world-renowned superior talents of contemporary music, known for his unclassifiable, pioneering works, Aydın Esen has never severed his ties with the piano he met at the age of five. This bond only grew stronger during his education at Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory of Music and The Juilliard School. He played with names including Gary Burton, Eddie Gomez, Pat Metheny and Emily Remler. Besides producing thirteen successful albums, Esen has contributed to numerous international albums as a musician, arranger and producer. Aydın Esen’s festival concert, to be accompanied by Greg Jones on bass guitar and Tommy Campbell on drums among others, is bound to be unforgettable.
Bill Charlap Trio
Monday, 8 July, 19.00, Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage
Bill Charlap, one of the foremost pianists of contemporary jazz who has shared the stage with masters of jazz including Phil Woods and Wynton Marsalis as well as accompanying the studio recordings of legendary vocalists such as Tony Bennet and Barbra Streisand, will be the guest of the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival. The Bill Charlap Trio that has consisted of Bill Charlap, double bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington for over 20 years, is without a doubt among the most impressive jazz bands of our times. Currently, the Artistic Director of the New York Jazz in July Festival and continuing to organise jazz concerts at the Lincoln Center, two-times Grammy award nominee Bill Charlap will be on the stage with his trio. This evening is among the not-to-be-missed surprises of the festival.
Paolo Fresu & Lars Danielsson “Summerwind” // Cem Tuncer Quartet
Friday, 12 July, 20:00, Palazzo di Venezia’s Garden
The star of this evening is the brand new duo consisting of trumpeter Paolo Fresu and double bassist Lars Danielsson, who both believe that music should touch feelings. The duo follows a meticulously drawn path while taking great care to avoid excess. Their music, drawing strength from this minimalistic attitude, at times fuses with classical jazz and folk music elements while striding without falling into a routine, creating a brand new universe which pleasantly draws you in. The duo, who follow their intuitions above all else as they make music together, have once again proven the flawless harmony between them with their first album consisting mostly of original compositions Summerwind released last year. They will be the guest of the festival with songs from this album. On this night of the festival, jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and producer Cem Tuncer and his band will greet jazz lovers in the historical ambience of the Venetian Palace Garden. Tuncer collaborates with musicians such as Neşet Ruacan, Ali Perreti L. Butch Morris, Aydın Esen and Ricky Ford, and is also known for his scores for film and television series.
Ömür Göksel // Hakan Başar Trio
Tuesday, 16 July, 20:30, UNIQ Open Air Theatre
Be prepared for a surge of nostalgia with master jazz vocalist Ömür Göksel, who won Golden Record Awards for his 1960’s and 70’s hits “Mutluluk”, “Sevemem Artık” and “Yanıyorum”, and will be the recipient of the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Before Göksel, the festival audience will have a meeting with a talented young musician. The first performer of the evening is Hakan Başar who was born in 2004, started playing the piano when he was 8 and gave his first concert at age 10. Many foreign musicians highly acclaimed his first album released in 2018 on social media. An international audience heard him for the first time when his recording of Michel Petrucciani’s “On Top of Roof” was aired at the Montreal-based Coco Jazz radio programme. On this evening, Başar will be performing with his trio.
Shai Maestro Trio
Wednesday, 17 July, 21:30, Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage
One of the most talented pianists of his generation, listening to Israeli Shai Maestro’s music is like unveiling a world full of mystery and wonder. Shai Maestro joined Avishai Cohen Trio in 2008 upon contrabass master Avishai Cohen’s offer and performed with them on tours until 2011. He formed his trio Shai Maestro Trio in 2010. Still, during their first year, the trio accompanied stars such as Chick Corea, Tigran Hamasyan, Esperanza Spalding and Diana Krall on tours. The trio has since released five successful albums and are continuing their adventure with no signs of slowing down. In their latest album The Dream Thief released last year, Shai Maestro, contrabassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Ofri Nehemya brought virtuosity and sincerity together. This year the trio will be jazzing up the Istanbul Jazz Festival stage.
Interpreters of contemporary jazz
Mélanie de Biasio
Friday, 5 July, 21.30, UNIQ Open Air Stage
The Belgian jazz singer, lyricist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Melanie de Biasio who blends jazz, blues and soul masterfully will be visiting the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival with her unique vocals. De Biasio is among the female artists of the contemporary jazz scene who invoke admiration for their creativity. The influences of her early idols Portishead and Pink Floyd are felt in her atmospheric music. Following her first two albums Blackened Cities and No Deal that attracted considerable attention, she reinforced her presence in the jazz world with her third album Lilies. De Biasion dedicated the album to her deepest fears and based it on her work during 2004 when she could not use her voice at all for a whole year due to health issues.
RYMDEN / Nubiyan Twist / Turgut Alp Bekoğlu / Barış Demirel – Barıştık Mı
Saturday, 6 July, 19.00, Beykoz Kundura
The opening of this day of the festival at Beykoz Kundura will be made by trumpeter Barış Demirel – Barıştık Mı who has drawn considerable attention with his latest album, followed by Turgut Alp Bekoğlu who is deemed by the music authorities as one the most prominent drummers of Turkey. Bekoğlu has worked with musicians including Gloria Gaynor, Marcus Miller, George Benson, Joe Lovano, Erik Truffaz and Sezen Aksu, and he continues to participate in various projects with Ajda Pekkan, Erkan Oğur/Telvin and İlhan Erşahin’s Istanbul Sessions. On the third concert of the day, RYMDEN, founded by award-winning pianist Bugge Wesseltoft who was a member of both New Conception of Jazz and e.s.t, the two bands which have inspired numerous musicians and bands in Scandinavia from the 90’s to the early millennium, keyboard player Dan Berglund and bassist Magnus Öström will take over the stage. The music of this trio dedicated to playing with existing forms and searching for new ways is nurtured by the Scandinavian spirit of the 21st century. The trio succeeds in creating a cinematographic and epic effect while assuming a minimalistic attitude. RYMDEN released its first album Reflections and Odysseys earlier this year and will be presenting its experimental world to the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival. The night will conclude with Tom Excell’s 10-man band Nubiyan Twist. This modern sound that weaves reggae, soul, afro-beat and Latin rhythms with improvisational jazz and classical instruments while also welcoming electronic elements, should definitely be experienced live.
Different voices from different geographies
Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez
Monday, 8 July, 21.00, The Marmara Esma Sultan Mansion
Jazz pianist and composer Alfredo Rodríguez who started classical piano training as a child and was discovered by the legendary producer Quincy Jones at the Montreux Jazz Festival on the one hand; and Pedrito Martínez who has attained mastery at blending Afro-Cuban percussion and vocal with the peerless spirit of the streets of Havana on the other. These two life stories that blossomed in Havana and grew with a passion for music crossed paths for the first time in Rodríguez’s album, The Invasion Parade. They announced that they had officially become a duo in 2017 when they took the stage together at the famous New York Jazz Club, the Jazz Standard Years, years after their initial work on the album. The duo hasn’t parted ways since and have brought their glowing music together in their first album Duologue released in February 2019. They will be the guest of the festival for the first time this year with the contribution of Clifford Chance, Yegin Ciftci Attorney Partnership. This performance which will be reaching from Cuban classics to original compositions with the vocals of Martinez and Rodríguez will deliver the thrill of Havana to Esma Sultan Mansion’s enchanting Bosphorus ambience.
Elchin Shirinov Trio // Cyrille Aimée
Sunday, 7 July, 20.45, Sakıp Sabancı Museum the Seed
The Elchin Shirinov Trio will be the guest of this festival evening in the Bosphorus ambience of the SSM the Seed under the sponsorship of SOCAR Turkey. The trio is composed of pianist and composer Elchin Shirinov, Grammy winner bassist Panagiotis Andreou and the discoverer of progressive melodies, drummer Engin Kaan Günaydın. Shirinov’s passionate, thoughtful yet effortless attitude at the concerts he performed at the Baku Jazz Festival, and Budapest, Brussels, Moscow and Paris concerts invoked admiration. He has won the approval of jazz enthusiasts for bringing Eastern harmonies, microtones and repetitions hidden in Azerbaijani folk music together with a rapid pace led by the drums. Andreou, who will be lending depth to the trio with his bass, shines out by blending electronic jazz with playing and singing styles particular to Latin and Balkan music, and Engin Kaan Günaydın for his progressive, dynamic and melodic drumming style. The second guest of the night that will take us on a journey of jazz by the sea is Cyrille Aimée. For the renowned vocalist, improvisation is beyond a mere technique; it is a way of life. The French vocalist who started to sing while infiltrating Romani settlements is dubbed as “a rising star in the galaxy of jazz vocalists”, and she also puts on her actor’s shirt to perform at Broadway from time to time. The festival audience is awaited in Emirgan to be introduced to the finalist of the Montreux Jazz Vocal Competition, a voice compared to Ella Fitzgerald’s for her lyrical yet playful style.
Mozaik
Wednesday, 17 July, 19.00, Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage
Mozaik, the cult band of the 1980s and 90s is back together with its original members after 35 years. The union of the band’s 1983-1995 members Ayşe Tütüncü, Saruhan Erim, Mehmet Taygun, Timuçin Gürer, Serdar Ateşer, Mehmet Tütüncü, Ezel Akay and Yağız Üresin will turn out to be one of the most meaningful nights of the festival. Gökçe Gürçay from the band Gevende will also be performing alongside Mozaik. While the band is known for having a style that fluctuates between jazz, rock and a rock-fusion, it has always been experimental. Until 1987, they designed each concert around a theme and handed out the audience magazines in line with the spirit of their current repertoire. This legendary band is back at the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival to make a new statement.
Vitrin Matinée Concert: Tolgahan Çoğulu & Sinan Ayyıldız
Saturday, 6 July, 13.30, Salon İKSV
The concert at Salon İKSV by the inventor of the adjustable microtonal guitar Tolgahan Çoğulu and bağlama player Sinan Ayyıldız promises tunes worth discovering. Both musicians are known for their solo and group work as well as their academic studies in music theory. Microtonal guitar method written by Tolgahan Çoğulu with Fernando Perez was published in Spain in 2018. Afterwards came the microtonal solo guitar album Microtonal. Sinan Ayyıldız has performed with rhythm master Abbos Kosimov, the Belgian beatbox champion Fatty K., the USA beatbox champion Beat Rhino and double bassist Miley Jay from the Nile Project. Ayyıldız appeared on the stage at the Albert Hall for the London Nour Festival. The festival lovers will meet at the Vitrin Matinee Concert to experience dialogues we wish would never end created by this successful duo with the microtonal guitar, double-neck saz and classical guitar.
Istanbul Jazz Festival’s Traditional Events Night Out and Jazz in the Parks
Night Out
Thursday, 4 July, 19.00, Kadıköy-Moda
After four sold-out editions within the scope of the festival, “Night Out” concerts will spread through the most frequented venues of the Kadıköy district on the Asian side of Istanbul such as All Saints Moda Church, Bant Mag. Havuz / BİNA, Kadıköy Sahne, Kadıköy movie theatre, KargART, Mecra and Moda Sahnesi, with concerts by the most thrilling and alternative names of the independent music scene from Turkey; Gaye Su Akyol, Eda and Big Band, Cava Grande, Elz & The Cult, Ah! Kosmos, The Kites and many others with the contribution of Birlikte Güzel.
Jazz in the Parks
Saturday, 29 June, 18.00, Beylikdüzü Yaşam Vadisi Park
Sunday, 30 June, 18.00, Fenerbahçe Park and Fenerbahçe Khalkedon
The Jazz in the Parks concerts, which bring the outdoors and jazz together, continues to be one of the most popular events of the summer. Following performances by Young Jazz bands, Balkan Paradise Orchestra, the band brought to life by nine Barcelonian female musicians, will take the stage. During their highly entertaining performances, Balkan Paradise Orchestra mostly focuses on instrumental music, but also includes vocals and electronic elements to keep things fresh. Besides their original compositions, the band covers a wide range from Goran Bregovic classics to Pulp Fiction scores rendered in Balkan melodies, always keeping their audience interested while growing stronger on stage. The festival lovers have a rendezvous this summer with this young new generation jazz band who have joined distinguished festivals and released their first album K’ataka in March 2018.
Two brand new events from the festival
Ah Şu Cazlar Blues’lar
Sunday, 7 July, 19.30, Halıcıoğlu
Another free event is added to the programme with a festival surprise: Ah Şu Cazlar Blues’lar. Situated on the bank of the Golden Horn, this event at the Halıcıoğlu Park will deliver the energy of music to the park with the performances of both national and international brass bands and jazz ensembles. A summer day, the park, jazz and more…
Vitrin Tour: No Land, Efe Demiral, and more…
Saturday, 3 July, 20.30, Salon İKSV, Nardis Jazz Club, Cemiyet
To be held for the first time this year by the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival, the Vitrin Tour’s stops will be Salon İKSV, Cemiyet and Nardiss Jazz Club. The programme presents the opportunity to enjoy numerous concerts at three separate venues with one ticket. Among this year’s various guests are No Land, Efe Demiral, Gülşah Erol Band, Duru And and much more…
CREATIVE EVENT PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM ISTANBUL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Children have fun and learn at the Feriye on “A Childlike Day”
The festival will once again organise a special event for children. On 13 July, at 14.30, children will spend an eventful Saturday when they have fun as they discover their musical leanings through concerts, workshops, training programs, and exhibitions, the details of which will be announced soon.
The festival will be speaking to children on this dreamy day full of music with concerts designed for children, workshops and performances. Held for the third time, this year’s A Childlike Day will be an unforgettable day for children with its programme that includes Yürüyen Merdiven and Tülay Günal’s performance “The Story of Stories”. The programme for the creative workshop, which will be open to ticket holders by making a reservation, is due to be announced later.
A Jazz Book in the Color of Rainbows from the Festival to Children
This year, a children’s book will be published within the scope of the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival with the support of Bernard Van Leer Foundation. Within the scope of the project, the children’s book under the editorship of Burcu Ural Kopan for İKSV festivals and biennials will decribe jazz music to the children through the seven colors of the rainbow and there will be a reading section, as well as puzzles, practical activities, games in each section of the book. In addition, each section will introduce a jazz musician and will include a playlist of related topics.
The children’s book, which Prof Feyza Çorapçı from Boğaziçi University, Department of Psychology supports as an academic advisor, will be published in Turkish, English, and Arabic, and will be accessible free of charge at event venues as well as several bookshops. In addition, workshops related to the book will be organised at various festival venues during the festival and at the İKSV Alt Kat: Learning and Interaction Space.
The children’s book of the Istanbul Jazz Festival is being prepared within the scope of Early Childhood Development & Culture and Arts Project with the support of Bernard van Leer Foundation. The project that will continue until the end of 2019, also involves special events, readings, workshops, various trainings, seminars and meetings.
Children’s Workshop Design Programme
In cooperation with the Istanbul Jazz Festival and İKSV Alt Kat, and with the support of the Istanbul Development Agency (İSTKA), the festival organises Children’s Workshop Design Programme for musicians interested in working together with children. The accomplished musicians with a desire to work together with children will design workshops for children of various age groups to raise their interest in music, to improve their sense of rhythm, and to promote their creativity.
The 8 participating musicians will have the opportunity to attend “Seminars for Supporting Learning Processes of Children and Youth at Culture and Arts Workshops” as well as master classes organised by Barış Karayazgan, art trainer at PACE Children’s Art Centre and Sophia Alexandersson, the founding head and art director of Sweden-based ShareMusic & Performing Arts. Alexandersson’s master class will be held with the valuable support of the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul.
The workshop programmes of the musicians joining seminars and master classes will be revised by Prof Feyza Çorapçı from Boğaziçi University, Department of Psychology, Assoc Prof Sevil Akaygün from Boğaziçi University, Department of Mathematics and Science Education, İKSV Alt Kat and the Istanbul Jazz Festival.
Open call for young musicians from the festival: Young Jazz
Young Jazz is being organised for the 17th time with the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival. Young Jazz provides a platform for amateur or emerging musicians and bands to make their early professional stage appearance within the Istanbul Jazz Festival. Every year, the festival opens applications for young musicians from Turkey with interest in classical or contemporary forms of jazz, as well as jazz fusions such as rock, funk, Latin, pop, acid or electronic influenced forms of jazz, soul, R&B, or similar genres. The applicants are invited to submit demo recordings either of their original compositions, or covers of jazz standards or similar songs of their choice. Musicians and bands to take the stage at the Jazz in the Parks event within the festival are then selected by the Young Jazz Selection Committee.
In addition, for the first time this year, the Istanbul Jazz Festival will present three workshops and master classes open to the participation of all musicians who apply the Young Jazz, with the support of Audioban in the scope of Young Jazz. At the office of Audioban, these trainings will be held between 10 and 26 May 2019, and will focus on Album Making Stages-Jazz Production, Stream / Digital Rights and Perfomance Practices and Staging. In addition to the trainings, the Istanbul Jazz Festival and Audioban will continue to collaborate with the groups that apply for the Young Jazz 2019 program. Audioban recently released the first album of the band The Kites, which was one of the teams that will be selected within the Young Jazz auditions in 2018 and will take the Istanbul Jazz Festival stage this year.
The Young Jazz Selection Committee comprises musician Ayşe Tütüncü, musician Cenk Erdoğan, musician Ceyda Köybaşıoğlu, music writer Feridun Ertaşkan, musician Harun Tekin, music writer and producer Hülya Tunçağ, musician Volkan Öktem, journalist Yekta Kopan and Director of İstanbul Jazz Festival Harun İzer.
Supporters of the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival
The 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival is organised with the support of the Festival Sponsor Garanti Bank as well as a number of different organisations. Vitrin Series Sponsor is SOCAR Turkey. Among the festival’s performance sponsors with the highest contribution are Birlikte Güzel and SOCAR Turkey.
Automotive Sponsorship for the festival is provided by Volvo Car Turkey. Anadolu Efes, Clifford Chance, Yegin Ciftci Attorney Partnership and Mastercard also offer their support to the festival.
Various concerts within the festival are organised with the contribution of US Embassy in Ankara, Austrian Culture Office, Italian Embassy, Institut Français Istanbul, Consulate General of Sweden, Goethe-Institut Istanbul, Consulate General of Israel, The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Vehbi Koç Foundation and Sabancı Foundation.
The 24th Istanbul Jazz Festival also receives support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Beyoğlu Municipality, Beşiktaş Municipality, Kadıköy Municipality and Beylikdüzü Municipality. Vitrin: Showcase for Contemporary Music from Turkey is also supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Founding Sponsor of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts is Eczacıbaşı Group, Official Hotel Sponsor The Marmara Collection, İKSVl Carrier is DHL, İKSV Insurance Sponsor is Zurich Turkey, Health Service Sponsor is American Hospital, and other service sponsors are Navitas, GFK, directComm Marketing Group, AGC Software and Loodos Tech.
This year’s festival campaign: The master hands of Jazz are in Istanbul
The festival campaign, created by the advertisement agency Büro for the 26th year of the festival, reflects the diversity of the festival’s programme with the slogan, #cazadokunaneller. The hands used in the campaign belong to jazz musicians Efe Demiral, Gülşah Erol, and Baturay Yarkın.
Follow the festival on social media and İKSV Mobil app
Follow the Istanbul Jazz Festival social media accounts for full details on the festival, as well as video presentations about the musicians and instant updates regarding events.
facebook.com/istanbulcazfestivali
twitter.com/istanbulcazfest
instagram.com/istanbulcazfestivali
youtube.com/iksvistanbul
#istcazfest
#cazadokunaneller
The festival programme is announced on the official festival website, caz.iksv.org/en and the İKSV Mobil app. The İKSV Mobil app, sponsored by the Loodos Tech, has been redesigned for a better experience. You can create your own profile with newly added features and add your favourite events to your favourites and calendar. You can add the concerts you want to join within the Istanbul Jazz Festival to your calendar and make your own programme via the İKSV Mobil app, which can be downloaded from the AppStore or from Google Play.
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