Akbank Jazz Festival, the most perennial jazz festival in Turkey, was launched in 1991 with concerts organized in Istanbul. Not only hosting the prominent jazz figures across the world but also paving the way for emerging and promising next-gen artists, the Festival has now made it into a versatile organization by adopting panels, workshops, film screening sessions, concerts and social responsibility projects.
AVISHAI COHEN QUARTET
OCTOBER 21st / SUNDAY / 18:00 - CEMAL REŞİT REY CONCERT HALL
Avishai Cohen, the pure-toned trumpeter, is one of the most remarked jazz musicians on the contemporary scene. His search for meaning in music and the energy he puts into bringing the bass under the spotlight, has brought him many international awards and global recognition. In 2016, the master trumpeter was named “Best Foreign Artist” by Jazz Magazine France, while Into the Silence was awarded “Best Album of the Year” by TSF Jazz. Today, along with his quartet, the trumpeter continues his work with Triveni, a trio with Omer Avital and Nasheet Waits that he has been leading over a decade. A year after his award winning album Into The Silence, introducing his new album Cross My Palm With, Avishai Cohen will bring his laudable energy to the Akbank Jazz Festival.
Avishai Cohen: Trumpet
Yonathan Avishai: Piano
Barak Mori: Bass
Ziv Ravitz: Drums
BİRSEN TEZER EASTERN STANDARDS
OCTOBER 10th / SATURDAY / 20:30 - CADDEBOSTAN CULTURE CENTER
With her impressive vocal, Birsen Tezer is considered as one of the most powerful singers of the Turkish music scene. She has released two successful albums to date and collaborated with many celebrated musicians such as Erkan Oğur, Bülent Ortaçgil, İlhan Şeşen, Gürol Ağırbaş, Hüsnü Arkan and Ediz Hafızoğlu. Her latest project Eastern Standards aims to create a new language by combining hundreds of years old Turkish classical and folk songs with improvisation elements based on vocals and instruments from her previous projects and sounds of today. The songs from this Akbank Jazz Festival exclusive project will take the festival audience through a magical journey with Birsen Tezer’s unique storytelling.
Birsen Tezer: Vocal, Kanun
Emre Tankal: Electronic Guitar
Adem Gülşen: Piano
Çağlayan Yıldız: Bass
Derin Bayhan: Drums
BIXIGA 70
OCTOBER 26th / FRIDAY / 21:30 - BABYLON
The genre-spanning music of Bixiga 70 that is blurring the boundaries of space and time, is a result of the band’s collective genius with members coming from diverse musical backgrounds, all of which have been involved in São Paulo’s avantgarde pop, jazz, dub scenes. Taking Fela Kuti’s Afrika 70 band as a launchpad both in name and spirit, Bixiga 70 offers a brilliant fusion of African and South American rhythms. Just like the band’s birthplace, the Bixiga neighborhood of São Paulo, Bixiga 70 is also nourished by diversity. Having released three albums to date and achieving significant success with each one, this 10-piece dynamic set, shared the stage with major names like Jungle By Night, Woima Collective, Tony Allen, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Ebo Taylor and Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. Be ready to let yourself into the stimulating music and imagination of Bixiga 70, being absolutely one of the most colorful guests of the Akbank Jazz Festival this year.
Chris Scabello: Guitar
Cuca Ferreira: Baritone Saxophone, Flute
Daniel Gralha: Trumpet
Décio 7: Drums
Daniel Nogueira: Tenor Saxophone
Douglas Antunes: Trombone
Marcelo Dworecki: Bass
Maurício Fleury: Keyboards, Guitar
Rômulo Nardes: Percussion
CALOÉ
OCTOBER 26th / FRIDAY / 22.30- NARDIS
Jazz singer and composer Caloé, follows in the footsteps of her musical idol Ella Fitzgerald and tries to pursue new horizons by interpreting the "scat" technique. Creating her own rainbow with songs inspired by different cultures, and a vast repertoire of covers, improvisations and her characteristic vocal, this young talent also does justice to always being surrounded by amazingly good musicians. She shares her music via her YouTube channel every month, with new videos showcasing snapshots from her life in France. At the beginning of this year Caloé released two new singles, Stevie Wonder's Part Time Lover cover and Soleil d'Hiver. In addition to being a semi-finalist at the Montreux Jazz Festival's contest, she has performed at major jazz venues in cities such as New York, Mexico, Oslo and Stockholm. Bringing a French breeze to the city, Caloé's first concert in Istanbul definitely is not to be missed.
Caloé Barbillon: Vocal
Uraz Kıvanel: Piano
Kağan Yıldız: Double Bass
Ferit Odman: Drums
CAN ÇANKAYA & KAĞAN YILDIZ
OCTOBER 25th / THURSDAY / 19:00 - AKBANK SANAT
Pianist, composer Can Çankaya, whose works and arrangements have been interpreted by İstanbul, İzmir, Antalya and Eskişehir state symphony orchestras; and double bassist Kağan Yıldız, who has shared stage with the likes of Benny Golson, Freddy Cole, Dena DeRose, Kevin Mahogany, Jim Rotondi, John D’earth, Dave Samuels, Alain Mallet, released their duo project album Timeless this year. The duo, who is going to take the stage in Akbank Jazz Festival, will let the audience experience a touching and immersive performance with their repertoire including new songs from Timeless. Having already succeeded in being one of the outstanding musicians of Turkey’s modern jazz scene with their organic work, Can Çankaya and Kağan Yıldız will make a difference with their piano-double bass collaboration and expand your jazz horizon.
Can Çankaya: Piano
Kağan Yıldız: Double Bass
CEYL’AN ERTEM - UNPLUGGED
OCTOBER 25th / THURSDAY / 21:00 - MODA STAGE
The singer and songwriter Ceyl’an Ertem, who has succeeded in reaching a large audience with her extraordinary vocal technique and released successful albums to date, will be at the Akbank Jazz Festival stage with a special selection of songs she has been performing since the year 2000. On this beautiful evening full of memories, Ceyl’an Ertem will be accompanied by talented jazz musicians such as Ozan Musluoglu, Serhan Erkol, Nedim Ruacan and Adem Gülşen. Do not miss the rich repertoire offering many great songs from Björk to Müzeyyen Senar, from Erykah Badu to Yıldız Tilbe and Ceyl’an Ertem’s own!
Ceylan Ertem: Vocal
Ozan Musluoğlu: Double Bass
Serhan Erkol: Saxophone
Nedim Ruacan: Drums
Adem Gülşen: Piano
EZRA COLLECTIVE
OCTOBER 25th / THURSDAY / 21.30 - BABYLON
Blending afrobeat, reggae, jazz and hip-hop with a distinctly London spirit, Ezra Collective brings an almost surreal feeling to their music. A product of the London’s essential cultural pluralism and ever-shifting musical zeitgeist, this marvellous five-piece band combines the surrounding inspiration with their strong intentiveness.
Since emerging into the scene in 2012 by winning the Yamaha Jazz Experience Competition, Ezra Collective has played on numerous stages around London and beyond, including the Royal Albert Hall. Benefiting from London’s vast environment of online music broadcast opportunities they have become the pioneers of the new-wave of UK jazz music. In 2017, Gilles Peterson presented them with the award for Best Jazz Album for Juan Pablo: The Philosopher at Worldwide Awards. Being one of the most exciting guests of Akbank Jazz Festival this year, the strength of their partnership will shine in Istanbul!
Dylan Jones: Trumpet
James Mollison: Saxophone
Joe Armon-Jones: Keys
TJ Koleoso: Bass
Femi Koleoso: Drums
ISLANDMAN & GUESTS
OCTOBER 26th / FRIDAY / 22:00 - MODA STAGE
Islandman trio, consisting of Tolga Böyük on electronics and string instruments, Erdem Başer on guitars and effects, and Eralp Güven on percussions blends the Anatolian psychedelic music culture with the articulated music of today's modern equipments and electronic music feel. Having performed together for long years, Islandman made their main debut with the single they released in the 2016-2017 season. One of their best known works, Agit was discovered by Danish record label Music for Dreams and the band’s first LP Rest in Space followed shortly thereafter. The album debuted at No. 1 on the platforms like Juno Records the very first week. The band invites their musician friends with whom they love coming together in recording sessions to the Akbank Jazz Festival stage for a special concert to present the music-filled world of Islandman with beloved guests.
Murat Ertel: Electro Baglama
VEYasin: Vocal
Barış Demirel: Trumpet
Ekin Eti: Trombone
JAMIE CULLUM
OCTOBER 23rd / TUESDAY / 21:00 - VOLKSWAGEN ARENA
Jamie Cullum, one of the most successful UK jazz artists ever, continues his success story with marvellous consistency ever since the day he first made his mark with the multi platinum Twentysomething LP, 15 years ago. His jazz-influenced vocals, his versatility to blur musical genres with his unique take on jazz, pop and rock, alongside his talent on songwriting and composing, brought him great acclaim all around the world. He received numerous nominations and awards in prestigious awards like Grammy, Golden Globe, Brit, Sony Radio. This autumn, Jamie Cullum -and his piano as a narrator with unique stories-, will meet the Akbank Jazz Festival audience once again with a highly delightful repertoire!
Jamie Cullum: Piano, Vocals
Tom Richard: Saxophone, Keys
Rory Simmons: Trumpet, Electronics, Guitar
Simon Lea: Drums
Loz Garratt: Bass
JEHAN BARBUR FEAT. FIRAT TANIŞ
OCTOBER 19th / FRIDAY / 20:30 - CADDEBOSTAN CULTURE CENTER
Beirut-born vocal artist, songwriter, composer and producer Jehan Barbur, after spending her childhood and teenage years in Iskenderun, continued her education at the Department of American Language and Literature at Bilkent University in Ankara. After graduation, she moved to Istanbul to focus on her music career. She has released five self-produced and successful albums to date and has gained a loyal and ever-growing audience. As a storyteller, she tries to maintain the contemporary female bard tradition, her albums consist mostly of her own words and compositions, along with several collaborations with other artists. Considered one of the most brilliant and impressive jazz vocalists of Turkey, Jehan Barbur will be sharing the stage with renowned actor, director, painter and musician Fırat Tanış on this unique night of Akbank Jazz Festival. With these two fascinating vocals singing together, this concert promises to be a musical feast not to be missed.
Jehan Barbur: Vocal
Berkant Çelen: Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Murat Çopur: Bass
Evrim Tüzün: Keyboard
Onur Başkurt: Drums
Fırat Tanış: Vocal (Guest Artist)
JOSEF LEIMBERG AND THE ASTRAL PROGRESSIONS ENSEMBLE
OCTOBER 18th / THURSDAY / 21.30 - BABYLON
Los Angeles-based musician and producer Josef Leimberg’s deep passion for hip hop started as early as the age of five. This passion blossomed at high school and reached an all-time high at college. After his graduation from Cal Arts, his very next step would be producing. He has recorded with many artists including Erykah Badu, Om'Mas Keith, Chance The Rapper, Robert Glasper, Thundercat, Miguel, Terrace Martin, SZA, Frank Ocean, Xzibit, Robin Thicke and Kendrick Lamar. When his production business started taking off, he was introduced to Snoop Dog and he produced numerous tracks on Snoop’s platinum albums. He also toured with Robin Thicke for over 10 years consecutively. And finally in 2016, he released his first solo project Astral Progressions, which is a superb blend of jazz, ballads, hip hop and funk. This autumn, he will be in Istanbul, to exhilarate the festival audience with his amazing trumpet!
Josef Leimberg: Trumpet
Tracy Wannomae: Bass Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute
Anand Bennett: Guitar
Matthew Little: Keys
Sanjaya Ajaye: Bass
William Logan: Drums
KARL HECTOR & THE MALCOUNS
OCTOBER 19th / FRIDAY / 21:30 - BABYLON
Combining the global experimentalism of Krautrock with Afrobeat and jazz, and perfectly blending them into funk, the music of Karl Hector & The Malcouns is almost an oasis, where endless possibilities of universal tones come together. After the years of Poets Of Rhythm and Whitefield Brothers, guitarist and producer JJ Whitefield founded the Karl Hector & The Malcouns in 2007 with drummer Zdenko Curulija, to be a band that always surprises the audience. After their first album Sahara Swing, which was built with many influences from across the African diaspora, the band has expanded its musical scope with their second album Unstraight Ahead, in which the West African sounds of Ghana and Mali meet the East African sounds. With this album, they were, in a sense, paying homage to the 1970’s Krautrock legends. Be sure not to miss this musical feast offering a rich mixture of the late 1960’s independent funk spirit and Afrobeat.
Marja Burchard: Keys
Zdenko Čurulija: Drums
Alexandar Marković: Guitar
Jan Weissenfeldt: Bass
Didac Ruiz Lazaru: Percussions
KONSTRUKT
OCTOBER 24th / WEDNESDAY / 19:00 - AKBANK SANAT
Free music, outer frequencies, cosmic chaos and Istanbul… Formed at the beginning of 2008 in Istanbul, Konstrukt celebrates their 10th anniversary this year. Throughout their musical journey the band has shared stages with many celebrated musicians with the likes of Peter Brötzmann, Joe McPhee, Akira Sakata, Evan Parker, Marshall Allen, Thurston Moore, Keiji Haino, William Parker and Okay Temiz. They also performed at many prestigious international festivals such as Saalfelden Jazz Festival, Konfrontationen Nickelsdorf, Krakow Jazz Autumn, Tusk, Zuma Fest, Jazztopad, Sant'Anna Arresi Jazz Festival and A L’Arme!. After their Copenhagen, London and Newcastle concerts accompanied with Otomo Yoshihide, Konstrukt will continue their 10th year anniversary celebrations with a special program for Akbank Jazz Festival.
Korhan Futacı: Saxophone, Flutes
Umut Çağlar: Guitar, Reeds
Apostolos Sideris: Double Bass
Berkan Tilavel: Drums, Percussions
Ediz Hafızoğlu: Drums, Percussions
MEHMET ULUĞ NIGHT: AYDIN ESEN GROUP & CAN KOZLU
OCTOBER 20th / SATURDAY / 20.30 - BABYLON
20:30-21:15 Documentary Screening: George Garzone: Let Be What Is
21:30-22:00 Aydın Esen & Can Kozlu
22:00 Aydın Esen Group
Akbank Jazz Festival is holding a memorial night for dear Mehmet Uluğ, a truly beloved figure of music industry both at home and abroad, who devoted his life to music, always opening up new horizons for everyone around him. This meaningful night will start with the screening of George Garzone: Let Be What Is documentary. After the screening, Aydın Esen and Can Kozlu will take the stage for the first concert of the night and the second concert will be by Aydın Esen Group. A genius of pianist, master of understanding and extending the musical language of the modern era, Aydın Esen, who is constantly mentioned with respect and praise in the contemporary music scenes, will crown the stage. Accompanied by Can Kozlu, one of the most creative jazz improvisation artists of Turkey, the night will be even more unforgettable.
Aydın Esen: Keyboards
Can Kozlu: Drums
SeLKA: Bass
Volkan Öktem: Drums
NUBYA GARCIA
OCTOBER 23rd, 2018 / TUESDAY / 21.30 - BABYLON
The much-lauded saxophonist, composer and bandleader Nubya Garcia released her new EP When We Are in March 2018, nearly one year after her critically-acclaimed first solo project Nubya’s 5ive. Experiencing an exciting new chapter with When We Are, championed by the likes of Gilles Peterson, Jazz FM and Jazz re:freshed, one of UK’s leading instrumentalists, Nubya Garcia will now bring her mesmerizing tunes to the Akbank Jazz Festival stage, providing the audience a new perception of what jazz could be. Alongside her releases, Garcia has a burgeoning reputation as a DJ and this reflects on her music as the energy of the club-nights that shaped her formative years. Get ready for a night full of her characteristically sophisticated and passionate sound!
OMER AVITAL QANTAR
OCTOBER 24th / WENDSDAY / 21.30 - BABYLON
A virtuoso practitioner of bass, visionary composer and musical thinker, Omer
Avital creates gorgeous melodies by blending North African grooves with the inspiration coming from his Yemenite and Moroccan roots. Now with his new quintet Qantar, which was created in Brooklyn bearing a great deal of love and friendship, he has finally found his dream quintet. Since 2016 through rehearsals and gigs, the members of this quintet were playing his compositions better than ever and the performances were emerging deeper, richer, fuller. They perform not only the new works that they developed together, but also the older pieces from Omer’s back catalog of over 100 compositions. Soon after releasing their new album Qantar, which was named after the quintet, this marvelous quintet will take stage at Akbank Jazz Festival on an autumn night of multilinguistic musical feast!
Omer Avital: Bass
Eden Ladin: Piano
Asaf Yuria: Soprano & Tenor Saxophone
Alexander Levin: Tenor Saxophone
Ofri Nehemya: Drums
OZAN MUSLUOĞLU QUINTET
OCTOBER 18th / THURSDAY / 21.00 - THE BADAU
During his studies at university, in early 2000s, double bass artist and composer Ozan Musluoğlu worked with influential musicians such as Volkan Hürsever, James Lewis and Kürşat And. He has also attended workshops with world-famous artists such as Marc Johnson, David Friesen, Dominique Lemerle, Robert Balzar ve Dwayne Burno. Two years after his debut album Coincidence which was released in 2009, he released his second album 40th Day. In this album, he collaborated with Jeremy Pelt, Downbeat magazine's Trumpeter of the Year for five years. The tenor saxophone was J.D. Allen, the pianist Danny Grissett and the drummer Darrell Green. He made his third album My Best Friends Are Pianists in collaboration with top 12 jazz pianists of Turkey. Ozan Musluoğlu will be one of the guests of this year’s Akbank Jazz Festival, for the very first concert in support of his new album #nine, which consists of the interpretations of nine legendary jazz musicians’ compositions.
Şenova Ülker: Trumpet
Engin Recepoğulları: Saxophone
Ercüment Orkut: Piano
Ozan Musluoğlu: Double Bass
Ferit Odman: Drums
RÉMI PANOSSIAN TRIO
OCTOBER 19th / FRIDAY / 19:00 - AKBANK SANAT
Striking grooves, captivating melodies and energetic improvised moments… The modern jazzmen of Rémi Panossion Trio, while creating unique melodies that could talk without ever being talkative, produce a living sound reflecting their emotions through complex rhythms. Having performed at numerous prestigious stages around the world and realized 400 concerts in 9 years, this energetic trio never ceases to fly to new perspectives. Through this adventure at full speed, they collaborated with Eric Legnini and DJ Eric Lau for their last two albums as well. Akbank Jazz Festival is excited to host Rémi Panossian with his spirited piano, accompanied by the dexterity of double bassist Maxime Delporte and drummer Fred Petitprez. The ingenious narrative music of Rémi Panossian Trio will take the audience through a highly experimental and unique journey.
Rémi Panossian: Piano
Maxime Delporte: Double Bass
Fred Petitprez: Drums
SHINYA FUKUMORI TRIO
OCTOBER 17th / WEDNESDAY / 19:00 - AKBANK SANAT
The lyrical and dreamy sound of Shinya Fukumori Trio engenders unique senses of tranquility in the minds of their listeners. Drummer-leader Shinya Fukumori, also the principal composer for the Munich-based Japanese-French-German trio is an imaginative melodist at several levels, and the attention which distinguishes his drumming is also reflected in the colour-fields of his free-floating ballads. The spaciousness of the music leaves room for expression to tenorist Matthieu Bordenave and pianist Walter Lang. Together, the band has released their first album For 2 Akis this year as something new and fresh. One of the most romantic nights of the festival is waiting for you to discover the world of the amazing Shinya Fukumori Trio.
Shinya Fukumori: Drums
Matthieu Bordenave: Tenor Saxophone
Walter Lang: Piano
TARKOVSKY QUARTET
OCTOBER 22th / MONDAY / 20:30 - ZORLU PSM, DRAMA STAGE
With piano, violoncello, soprano saxophone, accordion, all speaking an associative dream-language, Tarkovsky Quartet pays tribute to the genius of Tarkovsky. This visual aesthetic of sound has become more obvious since the group’s third album Nuit blanche, released in 2016. In this album, pieces variously composed by François Couturier, or created in the moment by Couturier, cellist Anja Lecher, saxophonist Jean-Marc Larché and accordionist Jean-Louis Matinier, explore the texture of dreams and memory and continue to make oblique reference to Tarkovsky. Whether playing improvised chamber music, modern composition or baroque music, the creative originality of the Tarkovsky Quartet shines through. And Akbank Jazz Festival invites you to share the unique energy and deep imagination of Tarkovsky Quartet.
François Couturier: Piano
Anja Lechner: Violoncello
Jean-Marc Larché: Soprano Saxophone
Jean-Louis Matinier: Accordion
THE BAD PLUS
OCTOBER 21st / SUNDAY / 20:30 - CEMAL REŞİT REY KONSER SALONU
With The Bad Plus trio there is no leader, there is only the music. And this music has a lived-in quality thanks to the deep relationships between the band members. In every condition, the resulting sound of commitment and open-hearted connection is realized. Never Stop II, released this year, becomes the 13th studio recording from The Bad Plus, and the first album featuring pianist Orrin Evans alongside founding members Reid Anderson and Dave King. It is a rebirth, enriching the trajectory of this 18-year-old band and affirming their longstanding commitment to creative group improvised music which is a combination of modern avant-garde jazz with rock and pop influences. Be sure to make room on your agenda for this spectacular performance that should not be missed, where the bass, drums and piano will join forces.
Reid Anderson: Double Bass
Orrin Evans: Piano
Dave King: Drums
THE COMET IS COMING
OCTOBER 17th / WEDNESDAY / 21.30 - BABYLON
London based The Comet Is Coming has achieved reaching a remarkable audience after being listed in Lauren Laverne’s MPFree and winning The Mercury Prize in 2016 with their very first album. They follow a characteristic path based on the musical language of Sun Ra, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix and also the BBC Radiophonic Workshop from which the band's name emerged is a source of inspiration for them. Blending jazz, electronica, funk and psychedelic elements and creating an almost cosmic feast out of them, the band has a tempting philosophy as well. Pay attention to The Comet Is Coming who invites you to forget the surrounding world and become a part of an imaginary, brand new world and “start running” as they say in their manifesto. Let Akbank Jazz Festival be the meeting point where you get together with this community of geniuses!
King Shabaka: Saxophone
Danalogue: Keyboards
Betamax: Drums
TILL BRÖNNER “THE GOOD LIFE"
OCTOBER 18th / THURSDAY / 20:30 - UNIQ HALL
A dedicated musician and regular performer on the world’s great stages such as Carnegie Hall in New York and the Blue Note Jazz Club in Tokyo, Till Brönner is referred to as the ‘German Chet Baker’. In 2015 he was invited to the International Jazz Day in Paris, an initiative which originates with Herbie Hancock, where he performed among the stars of contemporary jazz. He was also present at International Jazz Day 2016 event where he played for Barack Obama at the White House with Herbie Hancock, Sting, Aretha Franklin, Diana Krall, Al Jarreau, Hugh Masekela, Buddy Guy and Chick Corea, to name but a few. Brönner frequently goes on tour with his ensembles and for this concert at Akbank Jazz Festival, he will join forces with his septet, in support of his last album The Good Life.
Till Brönner: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Mark Wyand: Tenor Saxophone
Torsten Goods: Guitar
Jasper Soffers: Piano
Christian von Kaphengst: Bass
David Haynes: Drums
Jan Miserre: Keyboards
WOODY BLACK 4
OCTOBER 24th / WEDNESDAY / 20:00 - SUMMART
An extraordinary bass clarinet quartet, Woody Black 4 is driven by experimental curiosity, which has taken a somewhat different approach toward jazz and its potential, orbiting around the multifarious spheres of modern jazz, but also allowing for an excursion into world music, free and avant-garde. With their second album Curiosity, one of the jazz highlights in 2017, the band has received great critical acclaim and continued to enjoy success. This fantastic quartet with warm sounds and pure tones promises unique compositions, fresh arrangements and high levels of musical finesse.
Daniel Moser: Bass Clarinet
Leonhard Skorupa: Bass Clarinet
Stephan Dickbauer: Clarinet
Oscar Antoli: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Photo: Konstrukt
