ILHAN ERŞAHIN'S ISTANBUL SESSIONS *live

In the organizer's words:

Ilhan Erşahin's Istanbul Sessions: "Mahalle" - the sixth studio album by the New York underground legend explores the musical architecture of Turkey's cultural capital

Frontman Ilhan Erşahin is one of the defining figures of the New York underground scene - the creative force behind the iconic Nublu club and label and a true global sonic visionary. For "Mahalle", his next homage to Istanbul, Erşahin reunites his core Istanbul Sessions lineup - the same lineup that has been making waves internationally since 2009: bassist and co-producer Alp Ersönmez, whose compositional voice stands out throughout the album; drummer Turgut Alp Bekoğlu, who lays the rhythmic foundation; and percussionist Izzet Kızıl, whose traditional sonic textures shape the band's East-West aesthetic.

The Istanbul Sessions set the world's stages ablaze - from New York to Istanbul, Paris and São Paulo to London and Skopje - with performances that blur boundaries and defy definition. Their electrifying, cross-genre performances raised questions: Is this really jazz? Doesn't it sound like a rock band? Where does this sound come from? This is where masterful musicality meets distinct eclecticism. The interplay of Erşahin's saxophone, Ersönmez's bass lines, Bekoğlu's driving drums and Kızıl's colorful percussion creates a sonic architecture as diverse as Istanbul itself.

Over the course of five acclaimed albums, the band has developed a sound that is both sophisticated and raw. Their most recent album "Bir Zamanlar Şimdi" confirmed their status as one of the most vital voices in global jazz. Now the Istanbul Sessions return to the stage with new music and fresh ideas.

We look forward to a magical evening of cinematic grooves and hypnotic improvisation, where New York, Istanbul and everything in between collide.


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