Dear Jazz Lovers
Akbank, which brings a fresh breath to the cultural life of Istanbul every month of October with the International Jazz Festival it initiated three years ago, besides hosting outstanding performers of jazz such as Max Roach, Cecil Taylor, Abbey Lincoln and Art Ensemble of Chicago, who have shaped the history of jazz, has also brought together select Turkish musicians such as Aydin Esen, Okay Temiz, Can Kozlu and Suleyman Erguner with the great names of jazz under the same roof by including them in the program.
While realizing our festival in three different locations this year, we are focusing more on the musicians and trends that are shaping rather than those who have shaped the history of jazz. Moreover, Drum and African rhythms seminars that Can Kozlu will be giving free of charge are part of our festival this year. Besides important names of contemporary jazz such as Ray Anderson and Dave Liebman, the concerts Marty Ehrlich, master of wind instruments, will be giving with his group will take place at our Haci Omer Hall in the newly inaugurated Sabanci Center. The best examples of the fusion of jazz with contemporary European music will be found at the Auditorium of Mimar Sinan University. In addition Zusaan Kali Fasteau, who will be giving a concert at Aksanat Cultural Center, will also get together with traditional Turkish Music performers and will display a special project.
We leave you with twelve days full of jazz, wishing to meet you at the opening of 5th Turkish Jazz Festival, which will be performed in the memory of Erol Pekcan, our valued musician who passed away this year, by Neset and Nukhet Ruacan, Onder Focan and Imer Demirer and others, who have shared the stage with Pekcan.