IKSV is organizing its 25th Istanbul Jazz Festival this summer between Tuesday 26 June and Tuesday 17 July in multiple iconic venues around the town. Some of the prominent venues enjoys great views and festival joy like Beykoz Kundura, Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Esma Sultan Mansion, along with more renowned concert halls.
Residence on the Asian side, many promising independent artists will preform on stages on the Asian side of the Bosphorous. The festival is hosting many of the most admirable names of jazz, funk, world music, blues and rock.
Tickets are available on Biletix and at IKSV. Tickets offer discounts in many restaurants, cafes and bars around Istanbul. For more details, check out the Eat & Drink Guide.
From the Organizer:
(26 June) Opening Concert: Turkish Jazz Through Generations
The grand opening concert of Istanbul Jazz Festival on its 25th Anniversary pays trib
ute to the wide spectrum of Turkish jazz which has morphed into many different forms through many timbres.
(27 June) Melody Gardot @ Uniq Istanbul
Melody Gardot’s performance is a glorious combination of her category-defying sensual music, Philly influences, expressive vocals, and her real stories that she candidly shares. We are excited to host her at the festival again after her first time with us in 2009.
(27 June) Çağrı Sertel “Instant” // Alike Places @ Salon
On this festival night at Salon, jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and producer Çağrı Sertel, whose structurally unrestricted music is a masterful display of his expressions on life, will be playing songs from Instant, which harbors ethnic elements in its modern jazz and progressive style. Before Çağrı Sertel, Lara Di Lara and Levni’s brand new joint project Alike Places will put you on board with indie R&B, IDM and hip-hop sounds.
(28 June) Night Out // Gece Gezmesi @ Kadıkoy
After three sold-out editions within the scope of the Festival, “Night Out” will spread through the most frequented venues of the Kadıköy district on the Asian side of Istanbul such as Club Quartier, All Saints Moda Church, Moda Kayıkhane, Moda Sahnesi, Baba Sahne, Ağaç Ev Kadıköy, KargART, Bant Mag. Havuz / BİNA, Zor, with concerts by the most thrilling and alternative names of the independent music scene; Kalben, Yüzyüzeyken Konuşuruz, Taner Öngür & 43.55, Islandman, Focan & Bıyıkoğlu Organic Expeditions, Nilipek, Melike Şahin and many others.
(29 June) Selen Gülün “Kadınlar Matinesi” @ Zorlu PSM – 19:00
One of the most accomplished Turkish musicians whose compositions are performed by some of the most esteemed orchestras in the world and who is known for being a talented pianist and singer as well as a composer, Selen Gülün brings her solid project, Women’s Matinée, to the festival stage.
(29 June) Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Chris Potter @ Zorlu PSM – 21:30
In another brilliant night that needs to be boldly underlined, three great names of jazz that have been known for their legendary works are coming together on stage on the 25th anniversary of the Istanbul Jazz Festival. We are talking about Zakir Hussain, the tabla master who blends world music with jazz; Chris Potter, the doyenne who is declared as the most studied and imitated saxophonist on the planet by DownBeat; and Dave Holland, the bass guitarist and composer.
(29 June) Ediz Hafızoğlu “Nazdrave” // Surprise Artist @ Zorlu PSM Studio – 22:00
Ediz Hafızoğlu, one of the most successful drummers of the Turkish jazz scene who, this year, released his sophomore album 13, which he dedicated to the limitless power of change, will bewitch you with his songs that masterfully communicate his changing moods that evolve from darkness to light and chaos to order and his music which he brings to life without getting caught up in boundaries.
(30 June) Vitrin Showcase Daytime Programme: Panels, Concerts @ Sakıp Sabancı Museum – 16:00
In this event, which will start with panels and continue with concerts, delegates who are guests of Vitrin and select names from local music industry will talk about, in two separate panels, the music industry in Turkey and how local acts can transition into the international arena. Detailed information on panels and the first one of the following concerts will be announced on a later date. The second concert will be by a quartet headed by Ercüment Gül, who blends jazz, funk, and fusion with ethnic elements in his compositions.
(30 June) Erkan Oğur Quartet // Shahin Novrasli @ Sakıp Sabancı Museum
Erkan Oğur will be gracing the festival stage. With his idiosyncratic instrumental skills, Oğur, the folk, jazz and blues artist, inventor and master of fretless classical guitar, who intimately distills the melancholy of being human into his music, promises a splendid musical experience that will once again touch everyone’s heart. Through the heavenly combination of Can Çankaya, Matt Hall, and Turgut Alp Bekoğlu, who will accompany Oğur on the stage, a summer night on which emotions will find voice awaits you.
(2 July) Fabrizio Bosso Quartet // Massimo Manzi Trio feat Elif Çağlar @ Palazzo di Venezia Garden
This night, which will take place in the historic atmosphere of the Venetian Palace, will begin with Massimo Manzi Trio, which features Domingo Muzietti on guitar, Massimo Giovannini on bass, and Massimo Manzi, one of the most prominent jazz drummers in Italy, on drums. Jazz musician Elif Çağlar will be accompanying the trio with her lively vocals.
Ticket holders for the “Fabrizio Bosso Quartet // Massimo Manzi Trio feat. Elif Çağlar” concert at the Garden of Palazzo di Venezia must make a reservation for themselves by filling out the form at http://rezervasyon.iksv.org and enrol for the guest list no later than a week prior to the concert day. According to the Italian Embassy’s security measures, guests will be required to present their valid IDs upon arrival.
(3 July) Avishai Cohen ‘1970’ @ Sultan Park – Swissotel the Bosphorus
Discovered by Chick Corea, one of the most prominent pianists in the history of fusion jazz, Avishai Cohen is regarded as one of the essential names in jazz and classical music. Cohen positions his music on a balanced place between respect for tradition and the exuberance of embarking on new adventures. His tunes blends modern jazz with Middle Eastern, Eastern European and Afro-American influences.
(4 July) Adam Bałdych & Helge Lien Trio with Tore Brunborg ‘Brothers’ @ Sultan Park – Swissotel the Bosphorus
Adam Bałdych, one of the most prominent violin virtuosos in contemporary jazz who literally created his own language by breathing new life to jazz violin, meets Helge Lien Trio and Tore Brunborg on the Istanbul Jazz Festival stage.
(5 July) Benjamin Clementine @ Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Stage
Benjamin Clemente, an utterly inspiring artist who is the voice behind marvelous ballads of love, melancholy, and rebellion, managed to establish himself solidly on the emotional maps of listeners through his melodies. As he continues following in the footsteps of his heroes Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Nina Simone, he released his sophomore album I Tell A Fly last year, proving the astounding quality of his music once again.
(6 July) Kurt Elling Quintet with special guest Marquis Hill @ UNIQ Hall
Kurt Elling, the Grammy-winning artist who has 12 nominations under his belt and known as one of the most poetic and dynamic singers in contemporary jazz, will crown the festival stage with special guest Marquis Hill who will accompany Elling’s high-scale voice and swanky lyrics.Elling and Hill have been collaborating on some of the most prominent jazz stages around the world and this is their first time playing together in Istanbul. Get yourself a seat!
(6 July) R+R=Now @ UNIQ Open Air Stage
For Robert Glasper reflecting the times in his output is the golden rule for making music. Inspired by the groundbreaking approach of Miles Davis, the virtuoso pianist, who brings his soul to jazz, was one of the most exciting names in the neo-soul movement of the ‘90s. With his albums released through Blue Note, he received three Grammy awards.
(7 July) A Childlike Day @ Sakip Sabanci Museum 
The festival will once again put a smile on children’s faces! Children will spend an eventful Saturday when they have fun as they discover their musical leanings through concerts, workshops, training programs, and exhibitions, the details of which will be announced soon. For children aged 5-12. Children can only attend the event with accompanying adults.
(7 July) Jazz in the Parks @ Beylikdüzü Yaşam Vadisi Park &
(8 July) Jazz in the Parks @ Fenerbahçe Khalkedon Park
This year, the most popular event of the festival, which brings jazz to outdoors, will take place on two days. Young Jazz bands that will be participating will be announced following the evaluation concert on May 27. Following performances by Young Jazz bands, Dutch band Koffie will take the stage and get everyone lounging on the lawn on their feet. The entrance is free of charge.
(7 July) Badbadnotgood // Zara McFarlane @ KüçükÇiftlik Bahçe
Following the impassioned vocals of McFarlane, who masterfully blends the Caribbean and reggae traditions into jazz and creates a unique texture, BADBADNOTGOOD of Toronto will take the stage with songs that prove their assurance in taking bold steps in modern jazz. The band continued its collaboration with Kendrick Lamar through its work on the soundtrack of the mega-smash film Black Panther and is also known for its covers of hip-hop hits.
(9 July) Anat Cohen & Marcello Gonçalves @ Zorlu PSM 
With his clarinet and saxophone, Anat Cohen considers the performance arena as a celebration space and knows darn well how to make the audience a part of the celebration. Cohen will be accompanied by Brazilian guitarist Marcello Gonçalves, with whom he was nominated for a Grammy for their album Outra Coisa. The duo will breathe new life to groundbreaking composer Moacir Santos’ songs.
(9 July) Omar Sosa & Yilian Cañizares “Aguas” @ The Marmara Esma Sultan Mansion
Omar Sosa, who always pays tribute to his African and Cuban roots through his melodies, freely brings together the elements of jazz, world music and Latin in his compositions. Cuban jazz artist Yilian Cañizeras, who will be accompanying Sosa with her impassioned vocals and violin, is a rare talent who embellishes her love of classical music with jazz, salsa and African rhythms. You won’t be able to get enough of this duo.
(10 July) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds // Lara Di Lara @ KüçükÇiftlik Park
Listening to Nick Cave songs makes you feel like, a man whose sincerity you never question is sitting across the table patiently telling you about his life. The parts of his story that intersect with your life become an excuse for you to meet him again. The address for your next celebratory meeting with Nick Cave is Istanbul Jazz Festival where he will take the stage with his legendary band The Bad Seeds, one of the most original bands in musical history, after 17 years. Before Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, the vocalist of 123, Dilara Sakpınar will warm up the stage with her solo project, Lara Di Lara.
(11 July) Julian Lage Trio @ Zorlu PSM 
Julian Lage’s genius was so impressive that he was the subject of an Oscar-nominated documentary Jules at Eight in 1997. The following year, he was a featured guest on the stage with Carlos Santana and at the age of 13, he performed at the Grammys.
(11 July) The Fred Hersch Trio @ Zorlu PSM
Fred Hersh, one of the most exploratory jazz artists of the 21st century, has been the constant center of acclaim in the past 30 years for his breathtaking solo recitals, bilateral and trilateral collaborations, and close to 40 albums. Citing the names of some of his collaborators, such as Joe Henderson, Art Farmer, Charlie Haden, Stan Getz and Bill Frisell, doesn’t even begin to summarise his success.
(12 July) Parisien-Peirani-Schaerer-Wollny ‘Out of Land’ @ Zorlu PSM 
One of the most charismatic quartets of European jazz, Parisien/Peirani/Schaerer/Wollny is a band that likes to push its boundaries as well as the instruments they play. Swiss singer Andreas Schaerer, German pianist Michael Wollny, French accordionist Vincent Peirani, and French saxophonist Emilie Parisien have reinforced their bright careers through this project and crowned it last year with their album Out of Land.
(12 July) Caro Emerald @ Zorlu PSM
The glimmer of Caro Emerald will light up Zorlu Performing Arts Centre Main Theatre on this night. The excitement of watching Caro Emerald, who has been a part of our musical vocabulary since 2009 with such hits as “Back it Up” and “A Night Like This”, is undeniable. It’s impossible not to fall under her spell.
(13 July) Knower // Surprise Artist @ Beykoz Kundura 
Beykoz Kundura has become one of the most popular venues in the festival showcasing the transformation in modern jazz.The headlining act will be revealed on a later date, but the opening act will be Knower, the electronic music duo that will get you moving by subjecting you to their dizzying dynamism. You won’t be able to stop moving on that night where jazz will take over the dance floor.
As is the case in every year, transportation to the venue will be provided by toll boats.
(17 July) Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters @ Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Stage
Robert Plant, the legendary singer of Led Zeppelin, is one of the undisputedly magnificent voices and band leaders in rock history. After previously hosting him with great excitement at Istanbul Jazz Festival, our hearts are pounding with anticipation of meeting him once again. With his one of a kind voice, which tells stories we never want to end, his innovative musical style which stretches from all the way back to his glorious days in the ‘70s with Led Zeppelin to his recent solo works, and his hypnotizing stage presence, Robert Plant will be at the 25th Istanbul Jazz Festival with his band The Sensational Shape Shifters to engrave another magical memory in music lovers’ minds.
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For more information, and details check the official event page.
Image courtesy of IKSV.
