Nardis Jazz Club has a fully loaded program for the month of March, featuring several seriously talented musicians and some of the city’s best vibes for an evening of jazz. For reservations contact +90 212 244 6327. Be sure to keep up with the official site for any changes in the program.
From the organizer:
Mon 2: Barış Aslan Trio (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
The guitar player Barış Arslan has individually participated in several projects and festivals up to this day. The band has set out to establish a modern approach to jazz standards and share with the audience its own interpretation of the standarts and some originals.
Tue 3: Kaan Bıyıkoğlu Trio (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Kaan Bıyıkoğlu got interested with jazz while studying at the Ankara Science High School, and during his bachelor’s and master’s studies at Middle East Technical University he studied piano with Prof. Semra Kartal besides sharing the stages with eminent Turkish jazz musicians such as Tuna Ötenel, Yıldız İbrahimova, Yahya Dai and Kürşat And. He finished his master’s studies at the METU Informatics Institute with his thesis entitled “A Markov Model For Chorale Harmonization in the Style of J.S. Bach”. At the samre time he did his master’s on classical piano performance at Başkent University Ankara State Conservatory where he studied with Mehmet Okonşar. Kaan moved to the Netherlands in 2006 to further his jazz education, and he studied jazz piano and harmony with Kris Goessens and Rob van Bavel, and composition and orchestration with Ilja Reijngoud at the Rotterdam Conservatorium. He attended to the master classes and workshops given by Barry Harris, Charlie Haden, Peter Erskine, Jason Moran, Miguel Zenon, Antonio Farao, Baptiste Trotignon, Luis Perdomo, Dado Morani, and Misha Alperin. He participated in numerous festivals, concerts, radio and television broadcasts, and album recordings in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Kaan Bıyıkoğlu returned back to Turkey in 2013 and currently he is teaching piano and harmony at the Jazz Department of Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory.
Wed 4: Yahya Dai Quintet feat. David Friedman (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
A cyclist, technician and musician (saxophone, Ewi and Flute player). Dai is one of the unique figure in Turkey’s jazz seen for three decades. He was 11 years old when he start playing recorder. In 1981 he had his first saxophone, when he was about the graduate as a technician. He trained himself, than start playing with Tuna Ötenel (well known Turkish jazz musician) in Ankara. In 1990 he joined the “Asiaminor” one of the most significant ethnojazz project from Turkey. In 1998 he moved to Istanbul and established his own funk-fusion quartet, quintet. He played with John Scofield, Marcus Miller, Russel Malone, Kazimierz Jonkisz, Bugge Wesseltoft, Joshua Redman, Lawrence “Butch” Morris… Dai played in with many groups in his country also appeared in more than fifty recordings. In 2006 he started his solo computer music project which named as a “Plan B”. In 2011 he released his debut album “Ümitvar Mavi”. Dai married with two children and seven cats.
Thu 5 & Fri 6: Willie Jones III Quintet (21:30-00:30) // 60 TL
With an unparalleled style of rhythmic expression, drummer Willie Jones III is one of the world’s leading jazz drummers. In addition to honoring his monumental influences the late greats Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey and Billy Higgins Jones’ bold articulation and constantly innovative sense of swing are results of his lifelong musical experience. Born in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 1968, Jones’ earliest exposure to music was through his father, Willie Jones II, an accomplished and notable jazz pianist, who offered guidance and inspiration to his gifted son. Dedicated to the further development of his skills, the younger Jones spent the next few years working diligently with acclaimed drummers and music instructors and began performing with distinguished musicians by the time he was in his teens. He completed his academic training after receiving a full scholarship to the California Institute of the Arts where he studied under the tutelage of the legendary Albert “Tootie” Heath. Before he was a semifinalist in the 1992 Thelonious Monk Jazz Drum Competition, Jones cofounded jazz band Black Note. Influenced by the rich soulful energy of the West Coast bop movement, Black Note’s hardswing sound propelled them to first place in the prestigious John Coltrane Young Artist Competition in 1991. Jones contributed his skillfulness as both musician and producer on all four Black Note recordings: 43rd & Degnan and L.A. Underground (World Stage Records), Jungle Music (Columbia) and Nothin’ But the Swing (Impulse!). By 1994, the band had toured Europe and across the U.S. and was the opening act for Wynton Marsalis. Near the end of 1994, while Jones was reaching for a higher level of drumming dexterity, he gained the privilege of playing sideman to the renowned vibist Milt Jackson, where Jones learned the importance of pacing and sensitivity. Meanwhile, his musical career continued to unfold. From 1995 through 1998, he was a member of Arturo Sandoval’s band and is featured on Sandoval’s GRAMMY® award winning release Hot House (N2K). Subsequently, Jones recorded with Horace Silver on Jazz Has a Sense of Humor (Impulse!). From 19982005, Jones was a member of Roy Hargrove’s Quintet and is featured on Roy Hargrove’s CD releases on Verve: Moment To Moment, Hard Groove, Nothing Serious and RH Factor’s Distractions. Jones can be heard on a host of recordings including Kurt Elling’s GRAMMY® nominated Night Moves (Concord) and Eric Reed’s Here (Max Jazz). Jones has worked with Sonny Rollins, Ernestine Anderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Wynton Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Frank Wess, the Dizzy Gillespie AllStar Big Band, Houston Person, Billy Childs, Eric Reed, Ryan Kisor, Eric Alexander, Bill Charlap, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and Hank Jones. In 2000, Jones’ released his debut CD, Vol 1…Straight Swingin’ on his own label, WJ3 Records. He continues to reveal his proficiency as a composer as well as a producer on Vol II…Don’t Knock The Swing (2002); Volume III (2007); WE 2 (2008), a trombone and piano recording featuring Wycliffe Gordon and Eric Reed; and Jones’ latest release The Next Phase (2010).
Sat 7: Flapper Swing (22:30-01:30) // 50 TL
Flapper Swing is a quintet following footsteps of famous french jazz artist Django Reinhardt and New Orleans’s expatriate Sidney Bechet. These five musicians were brought together by their passion for taunting acoustic sounds of gypsy swing . Flapper Swing’s music is a sweet blend of manouche guitars, wild soprano saxophone, sensitive silklike vocal, supported by deep woody hum of double bass. In their performances Flapper Swing is striving to bring the audience an atmosphere of roaring twenties and ballroom parties, the times when jazz was still fun.
Mon 9: Can Çankaya Trio (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Pianist Can Çankaya did his Master’s degree in 2007 in New York upon receiving a scholarship.He studied with legendary jazz pianists like Mulgrew Miller, James Weidman and Harold Mabern. He performed at ”Manhattan Center”, ”Joe’s Pub”, ”National Arts Club” and ”92Y” in New York, Brooklyn Dumbo Art Festival and Central Park Summer Stage Festival. Being one of Turkey’s most important pianists, he was one of the four founding members of ”Kangroove”. He played with bands like ”Acid Trippin”, ”Detant”, ”Ricky Ford’s Istanbul Collective Big Band”, ”Kangroove” and ”Funkbones”. He performed at ”Istanbul International Jazz Festival”, ”Rock’n Coke”, ”Improvisation Festival”, International Electronica Music Festival” with his own trio. He recorded an album in France in 1998 with the support of French Cultural Center. The trio will be performing originals and standards.
Tue 10: Uğur Güneş Trio (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Uğur Güneş was born in 1974, in Izmir. He started studying at the D.E.U. State Conservatory in 1986 and graduated in 1996. Since 1998 he has played with a variety of bands in Istanbul. He was also featured on some TV and radio shows for the TRT Jazz Orchestra. His trio played for Tuna Ötenel in the 2001 Roxy Jazz Days and also Bodrum Jazz Days. He played concerts in Paris in 2004 and in London in 2005.
Wed 11: Christian Thome Trio (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
One of Germany’s most important drummers, Christian Thome, will be joining Kaan Bıyıkoğlu and Matt Hall for the very first time as a part of XJAZZ. It will be an exciting night bringing German, Turkish and American jazz scene together.
Thu 12: Olivia Trummer Trio (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
A bridge will be formed for a night between Turkish and German jazz scenes. Olivia Trummer will be bringing along tunes from her upcoming album in April, being joined by Kağan Yıldız on bass and Berke Özgümüş on the drums.
Fri 13: Aydın Kahya “All Star” Band (22:30-01:30) // 50 TL
Aydın Kahya was born in 1974 in Ankara. After elementary school he started to study at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory Piano Department. Two years later he switched to trombone and promoted to higher grades twice for his accomplishments. He studied jazz composition with Prof. İlhan Baran and motown vocal techniques with Keisha Brown. Some of the artists he has performed with include Aydın Esen, Atilla Şereftuğ, Aşkın Arsunan, Garo Mafyan, Süheyl Denizci, Tuna Ötenel, Kerem Görsev, Önder Focan, Slide Hampton, Brian Lynch, Bruce Barth, Doug Weiss, Huge Sicotte and Tony Jones. The albums he was featured on include “Vocalists” by Önder Focan (the first album ever released by Blue Note with Turkish jazz vocals), R&B album “Istanbul Party” with Tony Jones and a symphonic jazz album “Aventia Crooners” with Atilla Şereftuğ, performing with the Czech Philarmonic Orchestra. He has performed inside and outside of Turkey with symphonies, big bands and different band variations on festivals, radios and recordings. He currently is a tutor at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory Jazz Vocal department.
Sat 14: İpek Dinç Yüce Quintet (22:30-01:30) // 50 TL
İpek Dinç who is an undergraduate of İstanbul University, Faculty of Chemistry, started her musical career in 2005 when she met İlham Gençer. She was a finalist at the 2006 Nardis Young Jazz Singer of the Year Competition and participated in the İstanbul Jazz Festival Young Jazz Singer competition. She gave a concert in the Festival. Her success at 2009 Nardis Singing Competition took her to the Nomme Jazz Festival Competition in Estonia where she won the 3rd prize. She participated in numerous festivals. Dinç has been invited to attend the “Young jazz Voices” event in Latvia in 2009. Her repertoire for this night will consist of R&B as well as jazz standards.
Mon 16: Manuş-u Ala (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Manuş-u Âlâ to take music lovers on a musical journey! Inspired by Django Reinhardt’s original music style, Manuş-u Âlâ is an acoustic and modern jazz manouche band. Including popular local and foreign songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s that they interpret in their own style as well as their usual jazz standards and French chansons, the band offers an entertaining and nostalgic atmosphere to music lovers. The band’s founders and leading artists are vocalist Gizay Büyükdoğanay and guitarist Kaan Büyükdoğanay. They are accompanied by various talented jazz musicians.
Tue 17: Yaz Baltacıgil Quartet (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Yaz Baltacıgil has been a double bass player with Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and subsequently Borusan Philharmonia. Baltacıgil is also known with his interest in the music of neighbouring countries. He performed several unforgettable concerts with Ricardo Moyano at Nardis. He coached two brilliant musicians, Efe Baltacıgil (cellist) and Fora Baltacıgil (double bass). Tonight’s performance where Baltacıgil will whare the stage with old friends.
Wed 18: Önder Focan Trio (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Virtuoso Önder Focan keeps creating new project with young musicians, and this is one of them. They will perform beloved standards.
Thu 19: Raci Pişmişoğlu Mus 461 (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Raci Pişmişoğlu had been teaching bass, ensemble and listening analysis courses at İstanbul Bilgi University Jazz Department. He played bass on Ali Perret’s ”Acid Trippin” and ”Mingus Trippin” albums as well as performing with the band regularly. On albums and on stage with Ali Perret’s band he performed with Can Kozlu, İmer Demirer, Ricky Ford, Ercüment Ateş, Sarp Maden and Erkan Oğur. He also performed with Ricky Ford and Donovan Mixon’s bands. He performed in various parts of the world, playing at Albania, İstanbul, Akbank, Yapı Kredi and Eskişehir Jazz Festivals. He continues performing with his Mus 461 project.
Fri 20: Sibel Köse Quintet (22:30-01:30) // 50 TL
Sibel Köse was born in Ankara where she attended the TED Ankara College followed by the Architecture Faculty of the METU graduating as an architect. Her early interest in jazz coincides with her university studies. She attended numerous seminars in Poland. Ms. Köse performs in concerts, radio and TV productions and local & international jazz festivals since 1987. She has been the winner of the International Jazz Vocalists Competition held in Zamosc, Poland. She performed alongside Dee Dee Bridgewater, Raul Midon and Stacey Kent at the “Nina Simone Tribute” concert. She has an album published in Poland. Tonight Ms. Köse and her band hope to give you an enjoyable evening with their fresh interpretation of standards.
Sat 21: Selen Beytekin Project (22:30-01:30) // 50 TL
Selen Baytekin who was born in 1987 started her classical piano studies at the age of eight as a provate pupil of Ergican Saydam. She joined the European Voices choir during her highschool studies and then went on to form her own A capella group. Selen’s path crossed Ilham Gencer at a tango evening in 2007 and with his encouragement, she started her own solo piano & singing programme at Q Jazz Bar. She then performed with Aşkın Arsunan’s The Blue Print Project Band. Selen grauated as a civil engineer from Istanbul technical University in 2008 and then obtained a masters degree in Architecture from the same University. While pursuing her professional career, Selen who is passionate about music continues to perform the Jazz, Soul, Funk & R&B scenes.
Mon 23: Bebop Project (21:30-00:30) // 50 TL
Bebop came around during the late 40’s and is considered the beginning of modern jazz. The band will be performing tunes of Bebop giants Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Bud Powell, Thelenious Monk and also their originals. The band is Şenova Ülker on trumpet, Engin Recepoğulları on tenor saxophone, Önder Focan on guitar, Ozan Musluoğlu on bass and Ayhan Öztoplu on drums.
Tue 24: Monk Quartet (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Coming from different backgrounds, the three musicians meet for the very first time in this formation to share their love of Monk’s great music. Cağdaş Oruç (sax) met Andreas Metzler (bass) through playing with Okay Temiz Oriental Wind and through the vibe-player Tony Miceli, Can Tutuğ (vibes) and Andreas came into contact. As so often music connects and allies people, it’s a world-language, especially Jazz, which everybody understands.
Wed 25: Kristian Lind Trio (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Kristian Lind trio experiments with Turkish music, playing it in a “Scandinavian jazz style” and also play Kristian’s own compositions wich range from bebop to almost classical music. This creates a very interesting mix that you almost certainly havn’t heard before. If you have heard Kristian’s solo album “winter games”, you might get surprised since this is something completely different.
Thu 26: Serhan Erkol “Melting Pot” (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Serhan Erkol studied at Istanbul Bilgi University under Ricky Ford, Lawrence ”Butch” Morris, Donovan Mixon, Aydın Esen, Can Kozlu and Ali Perret. He performed both in Turkey and internationally with Ricky Ford Orchestra, Donovan Mixon Quartet, Teneffüs and other projects. He graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University in 2014. Upon graduation he received the Fulbright Scholarship and was accepted to the New England Conservatory Contemporary Improvisation Master program. There he studied with Ran Blake, George Garzone, Peter Row, Jerry Bergonzi, Allen Chase, Joe Morris and Anthony Coleman. He released the album ”Motel Atm” in 2016. He performs regularly both with his own band and other projects.
Fri 27: Istanbul Funk Unit (22:30-01:30) // 50 TL
Inspired by the world famous Nils Landgren Funk Unit, Istanbul Funk Unit was formed by Cenk Soyak (CEO of Alotech A Cloud Telco Company) in 2011 with the participation of three fellow musicians and friends; Yahya Dai (one of the best musicians in Turkey), Tunc Erkan (actually a diver who part time works for Dell) and Kerem Turhan (composer, vocalist and keyboard player who recently released his debut album and exercises Architecture in Turkmalls Group in his spare time). The group performs the funk arrangements of masters like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Bill Withers, as well as tunes from Turkish folk music.
Sat 28: Ece Göksu Quintet feat. İmer Demirer (22:30-01:30) // 50 TL
Ece Göksu comes from a family of musicians and was born in Ankara. As a child she sang with the children’s choir of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet where she went on to study the piano. She participated in masterclasses run by Hüseyin Sermet and Ayşegül Sarıca. She started to get interested in Jazz at university. When her family moved to Istanbul in 2000 she transferred to the Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory from where she studied with Prof. Seher Tanrıyar before graduating. In 2007 while singing in various Istanbul venues and taking part in different festivals she won the Fulbright scholarship and then a scholarship from the William Paterson University which allowed her to follow a master’s programme in NJ/USA. Her masters thesis was based on Billie Holiday’s compositions and this was eventually published as a book by UMI-Proquest. Ece Goksu’s repertoire tonight will include her album Masal and Slow Hot Wind.
Mon 30: Susanna Aleksandra & Matt Hall Quartet (21:30-00:30) // 40 TL
Susanna Aleksandra is an Estonian jazz singer, lyricist and composer. Passionate for languages, she effortlessly plays with words and melodies, navigating through traditional, Nordic and Latin Jazz. A natural storyteller, the charismatic singer holds the listener spellbound, making jazz approachable not only for jazz lovers.
Susanna is currently based in Helsinki where she studies jazz music in the prestigious Sibelius Academy. In 2017 she released the soul jazz inspired single Golden Boy in cooperation with Finnish musicians. In 2016 she appeared on the album Estonian Evergreens with the Lutz Krajenski Big Band. Her debut album Miracles consisting of her original music was released in 2015.
Susanna’s other passion besides music is languages. She holds a degree in French language and literature and is a fluent speaker of 6 languages. She loves to travel from place to place through music as well as communicating with the audience in their own language.
Susanna grew up in a family of musicians. She used to fall asleep with people jamming in the house, making jazz an essential part of her childhood. She started performing jazz classics with her band at the age of 17.
Bass player Matthew Hall, also an Istanbul resident has been performing and recording in various situations with artists such as Jimmy Cobb, Justin Kauflin, Matt Wilson, Alan Parker… We can hear him on several records out of Istanbul’s jazz scene.
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For more information, check out the official site.
Phone: +90 212 244 6327
Address: Galata Kulesi Sokak No.8 Kuledibi
All images courtesy of Nardis Jazz Club.
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