New York City-based İlhan Erşahin created his Istanbul Sessions collective back in 2008. The renowned musician and record label head invited leading Turkish musicians he’d jammed with over the years to record a free-flowing music project with a dance edge.
Istanbul Sessions have released three albums to date, each one a sonic adventure that refuses to be contained by geographical or musical boundaries. And for those familiar with Istanbul, these epic soundscapes, influenced by key landmarks and aspects of the city, will be that much sweeter.
Erşahin (saxophone) heads up a quartet comprising Alp Ersönmez on bass, İzzet Kızıl on percussion and Turgut Alp Bekoğlu on drums. Bekoğlu will hope he actually makes it London this time – he missed last year’s Jazz Café gig following last minute visa hiccups.
Catch these master musicians live as they hold a 2-date residency at the capital’s premiere jazz spot Ronnie Scott’s. There’s two sessions each night. Their performance at the Jazz Café last April was described in T-VINE’s review as “truly sublime…as good as it gets!” You’d be mad to miss it!
Concert Details
Title: Istanbul Sessions
Date: Friday 8 and Saturday 9 June 2018 (two sessions per night)
Times: First set, doors open 6pm. Second set starts 10.30pm
Venue: Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4HT
Admission: £20-£50. Please note that Ronnie Scott’s is an over-18s venue. Children aged 14 and above are allowed accompanied by an adult, but must leave by midnight. Ronnie’s Bar (upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s) is strictly over-18’s.
Tickets: buy online from the venue
Artist info: find out more about İlhan Erşahin on his website
Photo above © Ipek Ozerim/T-VINE: Istanbul Sessions at the Jazz Café, London, 24 April 2017.
