Celebrating its 27th anniversary this year, Akbank Jazz Festival will be held from Nov. 3 to Nov. 19.
The details of the festival, organization and content of the programs that were held in cooperation with Pozitif were announced at a press conference held at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum.
Speaking at the meeting, Akbank General Director Hakan Binbaşgil said they would continue to hold and support art events.
"The topic of Jazz on Campus is especially important for us. We organize events at different places every year. Therefore, we try to make the youth love jazz. There are young performers along with experienced figures in the program. I think this is important, too," Binbaşgil said.
He also talked about a youth-oriented project they are working on called the Good State of the City. Binbaşgil said that the youth strengthen their bonds with society thanks to this project, which is based on volunteering.
The director of Akbank Sanat, Derya Bigalı, also said they are excited about the festival and its busy program.
Bigalı said that various artists from around the world will perform at the festival.
"There will be many concerts from hip-hop to reggae and punk to electronic jazz. Two-hundred-twenty-two artists will give 53 concerts at 36 different places at the festival. There will be interviews and workshops along with concerts like every year. One of the most important aspects of the festival is that veteran Turkish artists will perform," the director said.
She noted that concerts on campuses in eight cities will continue between Nov. 20 and Dec. 1 after the festival, signifying the importance of institutional, social responsibility projects for them.
Festival program
Many artists and bands such as Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Jimmy Smith, Enrico Rava, John Scofield & Joe Lovano, Manu Katche, David Sanborn, Abdullah İbrahim, Vanessa Rubin, Ala.Ni, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Nicola Cruz, Bonobo, Daniel Herskedal, Marius Neset, Amina Figarova Sextet, Alfredo Rodriguez, Mark Guilliana, Shabaka Hutchings, The Ancestors and Red Baraat will perform.
The festival will host Sattas and Kenan Doğulu under "Innovative Projects" and will also present many Turkish jazz performers, including Emin Fındıkoğlu, İlhan Erşahin, Baki Duyarlar, Çağıl Kaya, Çağrı Sertel and Şenay Lambaoğlu and new generation talents such as Evrencan Gündüz and Hakan Başar.
Singer, songwriter and poet Jehan Barbur will be at universities in Muğla, İzmir, Eskişehir, Bolu, Adana, Mersin, Kayseri and Ankara.
Providing the chance to learn about jazz and its instruments better, the Jazz in High Schools Workshops will be held free of charge on Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 16-17 this year.
Some 1,000 young volunteers at the Good State of the City social cooperation project will have the opportunity to watch the Bonobo concert, which will be held at Volkswagen Arena on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Throughout the festival, three interviews and 15 workshops will be held at many places, including Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Akbank Art, Babylon, Volkswagen Arena, The Seed, Caddebostan Cultural Center, Moda Stage, Summart Art Center, Nardis and the Zorlu Performing Arts Center.
