Jazz rhythms to resonate in Istanbul throughout day

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Joss Stone. Istanbul will be the scene of many jazz-related events throughout the day during the 2nd edition of the International Jazz Day.

The 2nd International Jazz Day, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Turkish culture and foreign ministries, will be celebrated today in Istanbul.

The International Jazz Day events will kick off today in Galatasaray High School with the opening speeches of Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs. Irina Bokova, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock.

The concert of the International Jazz Day will be at the Hagia Eirene Museum at 9 p.m. Organized under the musical direction of John Beasley, the concert will feature world-renowned pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, along with Wayne Shorter, Diane Reeves, Marcus Miller, Al Jarreau, Joss Stone, Terri Lyne Carrington, Hugh Masekela and other acclaimed artists.

Concerts, lectures

Throughout the day, the International Jazz Day events will include vocal workshops led by prominent vocalists Hediye Güven and Melis Sökmen for children between the ages of 3-9 and youth between the ages of 13-17. The workshops will be organized from 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Beyoğlu Municipality Youth Center.

A unique opportunity for the general public to listen to salsa singer, actor, Latin jazz musician and activist Ruben Blades and American jazz pianist and record producer Robert Glasper will be provided at the Jazz Talks in the same venue between 1 and 1:30 p.m.

Among the other events to take place in the same venue will be a roundtable discussion on jazz and festivals with the participation of Fritz Thom, Carlo Pagnotta, Claire Whitaker and Jean René Palacio.

“My Life in Jazz” with T.S. Monk will be a lecture on Thelonious Monk Jr.’s life and upbringing in jazz, particularly growing up with his father Thelonious Monk and the jazz legends around him.

Known for his be-bop and jazz renditions, Bora Çeliker will perform a selection of songs from his debut album “borabook” containing his compositions from 2010 and onwards. Okay Temiz will also perform a very special percussion concert together with his 25 students, consisting of children and youth.

One of the most important names of jazz education in the world and presenting jazz workshops, teacher-training seminars, and jazz “informances” around the globe, J.B. Dyas will give a lecture on the history of jazz at the Borusan Music House.

The venue will also host a roundtable discussion featuring contributions from international musicians, journalists and scholars on how jazz has impacted and inspired freedom movements all over the world.
 
Among the participants will be AP journalist Charlie Gans, world-renowned jazz musician Marcus Miller, and South African trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet virtuoso Hugh Masekala.

A jazz writer for more than 30 years, Charlie J. Gans will talk about the work of Dave Brubeck, legendary jazz musician, as a jazz ambassador to promote peace in the same venue.

A roundtable discussion on “Women and Jazz” will be organized at Salon IKSV. Jazz-writer and academic Seda Binbaşgil, pianist Selen Gülün, clarinet and saxophone virtuoso Anat Cohen and internationally-renowned jazz pianist of Japan Keiko Matsui will speak about the historic role of women in jazz, how it has empowered women, and the current challenges for female artists today.

The International Jazz Day will also feature a film program. A special selection of films on jazz will be screened at Salt Beyoğlu.