17.11.2017
As the 27th Akbank Jazz Festival comes to an end, I have gathered memories from many great concerts as well as hundreds of stage photos. I tried to summarize my festival experience with 10 favourite photos of mine. (The cover photo features Red Baraat guitarist Keisuke Matsuno.)
Daniel Herskedal, Akbank Sanat
Norwegian tuba player Daniel Herskedal played with his longtime collaborator, saxophonist Marius Neset. During the gig that pushed the limits of tuba, I loved how Herskedal looked as if he was hiding behind his instrument, with his eyes closed. I’ll remember his use of the loop pedal for a long time.
Red Baraat, Babylon
Red Baraat was one of my favourite acts to watch and photograph in the festival. The Brooklyn band ignited a party that had Indian music, jazz, funk, rock and even İlhan Erşahin as guest in it. Dhol wizard Sunny Jain and Kenneth Bentley on sousaphone were caught in action as above.
Christian Scott, Zorlu PSM Drama Stage
One of the most inspiring musicians of his own generation, Christian Scott was equipped with instruments of his own design, an authentic playing technique and stories that emphasize how strong and healing music can be. I also had a chance to interview him. Last year Saul Williams had quite an effect on me with his words, this year it was Christian Scott.
Shabaka & The Ancestors, Babylon
Turkish audience had watched Barbadian saxophone player Shabaka Hutchings with Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming. This time he was accompanied by The Ancestors from Johannesburg, combining jazz and African rhythms. The sentence that was repeated again and again, “We must feminize the politics” was tattooed on my mind.
Bonobo, Volkswagen Arena
Bonobo was my second concert of that night, after Benedikt Jahnel Trio at Akbank Sanat. Simon Green’s nomadic rhythms from all around the world got the crowd warming up to each other and dancing. It was so nice witnessing Szjerdene’s barefoot stage presence from the photo pit.
Howe Gelb Piano Trio, Babylon
Howe Gelb has released multiple albums nearly every year in his career that spans 30 years. He shared piano standards from his latest album “Future Standards” as well as Giant Sand songs in his show at Babylon. I asked him if he ever came to a stopping point in his extremely prolific life. The answer was “I’m thinking of stopping now”. You can check out the rest in our interview with the gentleman.
ALA.NI, Babylon
I was prepared for songs that touched every area of the emotion spectrum but I wasn’t prepared for ALA.NI being so sincere and funny on stage. She was surprised that the venue was packed. She fell in love with the Turkish word for kissing, “öpüşmek”. She came down stage and sang among the audience. She improvised with random sentences written by the audience. I admired not only her voice but also her attitude.
Mop Mop feat. Anthony Joseph, Babylon
Berlin resident Italian musician Andrea Benini combines jazz with Afro rhythms, funk and a tropic breeze in his Mop Mop project. Trinidadian poet and musician Anthony Joseph talks passionately about extraterrestrials that escaped to Earth after destroying their planet. The joy on Benini’s face comes from the dancing audience.