1st Akbank Jazz Festival

Blog Music of love, compassion and faith: Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few

As the rising star of the Chicago scene prepares to perform with The Chosen Few orchestra at Babylon on October 2, as part of the 34th Akbank Jazz Festival, let's take a dive into Collier’s personal history and take a closer look at his music.

Blog 10 articles of the Rodrigo Amarante dictionary

One of the exciting events of the 34th Akbank Jazz Festival will take place at Babylon on October 11. Ahead of Rodrigo Amarante's solo performance, we take a look back at some of the highlights of the Brazilian musician's career, which is full of interesting moments at every stop.

Blog With a desire to extract the rawest form of music: Vega Trails

Before the duo takes Akbank Sanat stage on October 2 as part of the 34th Akbank Jazz Festival, let us walk through their story in detail.

Blog Overview: 34th Akbank Jazz Festival

The 34th Akbank Jazz Festival will take place from September 28 to October 13 across various neighborhoods and venues in Istanbul. Here is a selection of events from the packed Akbank Jazz Festival program that you won't want to miss, categorized under three different headings.

Blog Warm Baritone: Kurt Elling

Kurt Elling, one of the rarest vocalists in the contemporary jazz scene with his virtuoso precision, four-octave range, creative improvisations and powerful storytelling. Described by The Guardian as “a kind of Sinatra with superpowers”, let's take a look at his journey.

Blog Architect of the moment: Brad Mehldau

Brad Mehldau has been creating wonders since the 1990s by blending elements of jazz with classical music, pop, rock, progressive, electronic, and many other genres. With his signature style featuring unusual rhythms and improvisational counterpoints, and his competence in both writing and playing, he is one of the best pianists of our time.

Blog Rhythm as a means of seeing: Antonio Sánchez

One of the most exciting events in the 34th Akbank Jazz Festival program is a performance by the four-time Grammy-winning virtuoso, longtime collaborator with Pat Metheny, and composer of the Birdman soundtrack, Mexican drummer Antonio Sánchez. Before Sánchez takes the Zorlu PSM stage let's delve into the musician’s artistic journey.

Blog Continuing a tradition of three generations: Ramazan Sesler

Ramazan Sesler is of Sesler family who have been spreading Thracian music and musical traditions to the world for generations.

Blog Serving the song is always the main purpose: Elif Çağlar

Elif Çağlar is known for her out of the box collaborations. The special performance she prepared with Defjen Daf Ensemble is kicking off 31st Akbank Jazz Festival.

Blog Finding the “Balance” naturally: Kamufle & Lara Di Lara

Kamufle & Lara Di Lara, who will be on stage at Müze Gazhane on October 2 as part of the 31st Akbank Jazz Festival, answered our questions on their collaborative EP Denge [Balance] which came to life during the pandemic, being on stage again and their musical practices.

Blog 10 entries from the Cenk Erdoğan dictionary

Guitar player/composer/arranger Cenk Erdoğan will be playing at Zorlu PSM, Turkcell Platinum Sahnesi on October 10 as part of 31st Akbank Jazz Festival

Blog 5 great albums where jazz and hip hop interconnects

Da Poet & Barış Demirel, who will be at callinghouse on October 10 as part of 31st Akbank Jazz Festival, are creating a musical universe where jazz and hip hop meets. Hereby, let’s remember some of the memorable albums that represent this genre, which is described as “jazz hop” in some sources.