Istanbul Jazz Fest to start in July

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Marsalis and pianist Calderazzo take the stage for a concert in Istanbul.

The Istanbul Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, once again assembling successful names in pop, rock, folk and world music as well as famous jazz artists July 2-19.

As per tradition, the festival will have a pre-show, this year featuring the Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo Duo at Salon April 15 and 16.

One of the most revered saxophonists of his time, Marsalis and pianist Calderazzo, who he met in the early 1990’s and has played together with for years, will make their Istanbul debut at as part of the Jazz Festival.

The Grammy Award-winning Marsalis has performed and recorded with a number of jazz giants including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, and Sonny Rollins. His interest in classical music is apparent on his album “Creation,” and he has also performed with the New York Philharmonic as a soloist in 2010. As a producer, Marsalis founded his eponymous label in 2002 and also works in cooperation with North Carolina Central University.

Calderazzo made his first appearance in the jazz world by joining to the tour team of the Michael Brecker Quintet. Calderazzo and Marsalis joined forces on the album “In The Door,” where their long-term musical cooperation started. In addition to ğroducing successful albums with the Calderazzo Trio, he was involved in several projects with such prominent names as Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette.

Marsalis and Calderazzo reinforced their spectacular, long-term collaboration and friendship with the album “Songs of Mirth and Melancholy” in 2011.