25th Akbank Jazz Festival

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.

Blog Always on the road: İlhan Erşahin

Various sounds from the hidden corners of the world map resonate across the sounds İlhan Erşahin creates with musician friends that he finds himself in, and invite the listeners to a journey

Blog 5 jazz albums recorded during the pandemic

It is evident that the coronavirus pandemic did not only have direct effects on the live music industry but also boosted the search for new ways around musical production.

Blog 5 recommended ethno jazz albums

Music that combines jazz form with sounds from various cultures has a long history dating back to the ‘50’s.

Blog Worries away for a moment: Baki Duyarlar and “JazzArk”

Jazz pianist and composer Baki Duyarlar has been creating highly exploratory and original music that melodiously combines the Turkish music knowledge he inherited from his family with his education on Western classical music and jazz.