12.07.2017
Text: Cem Kayıran
Illustration: Saydan Akşit
Akbank Sanat is saying farewell to 2017 with local music from around the world. Taking place for the third time this year, Akbank Sanat World Music Days will be bringing musicians from Estonia, Romania, Mali and Portugal to Akbank Sanat stage to meet with the Istanbul audience.
The methods to access music have been expanding and multiplying over the years, geographic borders and distances become irrelevant as we connect with various cultures from around the world. As major names like Johnny Greenwood, Damon Albarn, James Holden and many more collaborate with local musicians from different cultures, record companies and festivals also shifted their focus to include original acts with interesting stories from different corners of the world to their line-ups.
The concerts that will create a line of communication with far corners of the world via traditions, music, sounds and instruments, will take place between 6th - 27th December. World Music Days is bringing musicians that have been performing in various prestigious events together in an impressive program with looks at the local cultures from different perspectives.
The first performance of Akbank Sanat World Music Days come from Maarja Nuut, who blends traditional Estonian music with modern electronic elements. Nuut, who released her highly acclaimed first solo album named Soloo four years ago and has been touring since, will be performing on Akbank Sanat stage on 6th December. As a violinist and a vocalist, Maarja Nuut has been serving traditional tunes and themes from her own country with a layered and consistent structure at her performances in prestigious music events like WOMEX, Eurosonic Noordeslag and Mundial Montreal.
Andrei Racu Band, scheduled for a performance at Akbank Sanat stage on 13th December, is performing traditional Romanian music with a perspective that is fully loyal to the genre’s written and unwritten rules. Andrei Racu is an important name who has a wide knowledge on Romanian music and been participating in various music projects as vocalist in his country. His five-man band brings perfected Roman folk music to stage with an extra care for details. It is also important here to highlight one of the band members, Florin Mihalache, who is also a member of the folk music orchestra, Carpathian Wreath and a virtuoso of cimbalom, a common instrument of East-European and Balkan countries.
Known as the Jimi Hendrix of n’goni, Malian musician Abou Diarra, is World Music Days’ guest who comes from the most remote location. Abou Diarra, who plays n’goni - also known as the Mandingo harp - is an exciting musician with an unusual story. Mentored by the blind virtuoso Vieux Kanté, Diarra took the road on foot with his instrument and traveled through West Africa, performing at various places. Harvesting the West Africa traditions and tunes from various countries of the continent with his instrument, Abou Diarra Trio also gained high claim in Europe over the recent months.
Releasing her first album last year after 15 years of musical experience, Tânia Oleiro is a singer who serves Portuguese traditional music, Fado, with great passion. Exposed to Fado songs from an early age listening to her mother, Olerio is counted among important names in Fado music. Taking the stage at prestigious festivals and Fado houses in her country, Olerio is promising a perfect night of Fado for both the fans and the people curious about this emotional musical genre.