JAmZZ Masterclass Program

35th Akbank Jazz Festival

JAmZZ Masterclass Program

JAmZZ Masterclass program aims to provide new talents a space and support young musicians through the courtesy of collaborations with Bahçeşehir University Conservatory and Zuhal Music as a part of 35th Akbank Jazz Festival on September 13-14 at Bahçeşehir University Pera Stage. Sessions will be taught by Baki Duyarlar, Bulut Gülen, Ediz Hafızoğlu, Kağan Yıldız, Sibel Köse, Şevket Akıncı and Yeşim Pekiner.

Improvised Jazz Masterclass is designed to be an ensemble class for all instrument groups except for vocals. JAmZZ Masterclass explores improvisation in the styles of classical and contemporary jazz while creating an environment for participants to improve their skills on listening, communication and team collaboration. The curriculum of the programme draws inspirations from the Great American Songbook repertoire in bebop, swing, ballad and bossa nova jazz styles that will cover style analysis, phrasing, variation and improvisation. Jason Camelio from Berklee College of Music will also be holding an online seminar titled “Preparing for a Live Audition” for participants of the Improvised Jazz Masterclass.

According to their performances evaluated by the instructors, one of the participants of the JAmZZ Masterclass will be invited to perform on stage at the 36th Akbank Jazz Festival, while two of the participants of the JAmZZ Masterclass will be granted to participate in an international workshop programme. Education, accommodation and travel expenses of the two students who qualify to participate in the programme will be covered by the Akbank Jazz Festival.

Conditions of Participation

- Participants must be enrolled in higher education within Turkey. (Turkish citizens who study abroad are also eligible to participate.)  

- The event will take place on September 13-14, 2025.

- The age of participants must be between 18-24 years old. 

- Participants must have adequate experience in improvisation in classical and contemporary jazz styles. 

- Participants should be able to improvise within the framework of the repertoire detailed below:

(Agua de Beber, Antônio Carlos Jobim / Autumn Leaves, Joseph Kosma/ Besame Mucho, Consuelo Velázquez / Blue Bossa, Kenny Dorham / Blue Monk, Thelonious Monk/ Blues for Alice, Charlie Parker / Confirmation, Charlie Parker / Equinox, John Coltrane/ Whisper Not, Benny Golson / Stella by Starlight, Victor Young / Billie’s Bounce, Charlie Parker / Cantaloupe Island, Herbie Hancock)

- Application start date: August 15, 2025

- Application deadline: September 12, 2025

- Musicians who will participate will only apply individually. 

- Applicants who meet the criteria specified in the participation conditions will be able to participate in the programme after the tuition fee is paid.

- After completing the application, participants are kindly requested to send a confirmation message and their short CVs to akbanksanat@akbank.com mail address.

* JAmZZ Masterclass Programme winners have been announced, click here for the results.