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5/7/2001

International Jazz Festival

open-air, Istanbul

The 8th International Istanbul Jazz Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts this year is hosting over 190 Turkish and international musicians, as well as 28 groups. The series of concerts are to be attended by an international press corps, managers from arts agencies and executives from international record companies.

Sponsored by GARANTÝ BANK, this year's performances at the 8th International Istanbul Jazz Festival will take place at the Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre, Cemal Reþit Rey Concert Hall, Esma Sultan Yalýsý and Babylon. The diversity of this year's program offers something for everyone, with selections ranging from standard and modern jazz, to Latin and World Music and some of this century's leading songwriters and performers represented. Some of the top names in electronic music, acid-jazz and ethnic music will also be performing at Babylon.

The International Istanbul Jazz Festival takes to the streets this year. The festival kicks off at 17:00, on July 6 with colorful traditional marching band, Tornado Brass Band, high-stepping its way down Ýstiklal Caddesi.

The International Istanbul Jazz Festival's open-air concerts get off to a bang with a "KonserCELL" night on July 7. New-York-based group Brooklyn Funk Essentials and Laço Tayfa, whose fusion of funk, soul, reggae and jazz displayed in their album "In The Buzzbag" and high energy live performances have earned an avid following, will give a concert sponsored by TURKCELL.

On July 9, the Open-Air Theatre hosts one of the undisputed legends of Rock music: Nick Cave. The Australian musician has released 11 albums together with his group, The Bad Seeds, and is the mastermind of classic tracks including Weeping Song, Henry Lee, Into My Arms and Where The Wild Roses Grow. A multi-faceted genius who is equally at ease in his roles as a rock star, poet, festival curator and writer, musician Nick Cave is performing in Istanbul on a leg of the world tour for his latest album recorded with The Bad Seeds, "No More Shall We Part". The concert is sponsored by EMIRATES.

The Buena Vista Social Club Project, which created a sensation in Istanbul last year, is returning on July 10 with a slightly different line-up. New members Cahaito Lopez, a masterful double bass player, and conga player Anga Diaz will take the stage with the group, followed by a concert by Cuba's only female bolero singer, Omara Portuondo. "Buena Vista Social Club" fans will be treated to an unforgettable night of heartfelt, heartwarming music straight from Cuba. The concert is sponsored by MATRAÞ.

PJ Harvey, who has earned a well-deserved reputation as the Diva of Alternative Rock, storms the stage on July 11 at the Open-Air Theatre. Following the critical acclaim and chart-topping success of her 1998 album entitled "Is This Desire?". Harvey went on to wow critics and fans alike with "Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea", released in 2000. Repeatedly nominated for Grammy awards and Mercury Music prizes, Harvey also garnered best album and best artist awards from Rolling Stone and Spin magazines and she has worked with a slew of greats including Nick Cave, Tricky, Thom Yorke, U2 and Pascal Comelade. The creator of such hits as "Perfect Day Elise", "Is This Desire?" and "A Place Called Home", PJ Harvey has a hardcore cult following in Turkey.

Jazz lovers are certain to flock to the Open-air Theatre for an evening of enchantment on July 12. That night's performance begins with a concert by one of the most celebrated female vocalists in recent times, Dianne Reeves. Reeves' extraordinary stage presence and polished voice are highlighted in her renditions of Sarah Vaughan classics in her program entitled "Celebrating Sarah Vaughan". Wayne Shorter, one of the greatest saxophone players in jazz history, will follow Diana Reeves.

Shorter has made some 50 recordings and contributed to dozens of joint projects in his career spanning nearly 40 years. The recipient of three Grammy awards, he also founded the legendary Weather Report group and has worked with such notables as Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Joe Zawinul and Herbie Hancock. Shorter will be accompanied during his concert by leading musicians Danilo Perez on piano, John Patitucci on bass and Brian Blade on drums. The concert is sponsored by REJOICE.

Popular Greek artist Eleftheria Arvanitaki will perform at the Open-Air Theatre on July 13. Arvanitaki's music blends traditional Greek music with the unique melodies of Rebetika, the aesthetics of contemporary life and influences from popular music. A festival guest as part of the Night Ark project in 1997, in this year's concert, sponsored by ROCHE, Arvanitaki brings the warm breezes of the Aegean islands to Istanbul.

The spiciest, most energetic night of dance will undoubtedly take place on July 14. On "Salsa Night", two Latin music legends are set to share the stage. Not only is Venezuelan Oscar De Leon a singer, producer and double bass virtuoso boasting a 20-year stage career and over 60 albums, he is a showman capable of bringing any crowd to its feet within moments. His latest project, "La Formula Original", draws on his musical past, ability to improvise, powerful voice and original interpretation of salsa. Also appearing on stage will be Celia Cruz, a veteran performer of Latin Music for over a half-century.

The Grammy award-winning artist has been dubbed "the queen of Afro-Cuban music". Returning to the salsa scene with her spectacular album "Ma Vida es Cantar", Cruz's hit single "La Vida es Un Carnaval", in particular, is certain to thrill the audience at the Open-Air Theatre. The performance by the two legends is sponsored by FUJIFILM TURKEY.

The concert attracting the most attention this year takes place on July 17 at the Open-Air Theatre. The mass appeal of Sting, one of popular music's biggest stars, remains undiminished after 25 years. Sting's music has been influenced over the years by rock, reggae, jazz and folk music, into which he has blended Celtic and Middle Eastern elements. A string of hits and worldwide popularity has made Sting's music a veritable soundtrack of our times and he shows no signs of slowing down. As part of the European leg of his "Brand New Day" 2001 tour, Sting will be performing in concert at the Open-Air Theatre on July 17 under the sponsorship of GARANTÝ BANK.

The Cemal Reþit Rey Concert Hall will be the scene of four exceptional jazz concerts this year. Young pianist Brad Meldhau, much praised by critics on both sides of the Atlantic and the recipient of dozens of awards from jazz magazines, takes the stage on July 9. Combining training in classical music with his affinity for and creative approach towards jazz, Meldhau latest album, "Places" also demonstrates his prowess as a composer and singer.

Performances by IAJE Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Sextet and Kenny Baron & Regina Carter will take place on July 11. With a tour supported by the International Association of Jazz Educators, the six young female jazz musicians breathe new life into their classical jazz repertory. A performance by the duo of Kenny Barron & Regina Carter is also a notable festival event.

Despite her youth, Regina Carter is recognized as one of the most accomplished jazz violin soloist. The album "Freefall", which she recorded with skillful pianist Kenny Baron, redefines jazz duets with its masterful exchanges between piano and violin, the two instruments holding a dramatic dialogue. In addition to performing their own compositions, the duo also reinterprets classics from artists including Wayne Shorter, T.S. Monk and Sting.

Classic jazz enthusiasts are sure to be enchanted on July 13 when Frank Sinatra Jr. & The Woody Herman Orchestra take the stage. Following in the footsteps of his father, Frank Sinatra, Sinatra Jr. demonstrates on his own albums that he has inherited the voice that made Sinatra Sr. a legend. The Woody Herman Orchestra, a jazz legend in its own right, backs Frank Sinatra, Jr.. Directed by Frank Tiberi, the orchestra offers an updated version of the "Big Band" sound and fully deserves to bear the name of the legendary Woody Herman. Frank Sinatra Jr. & The Woody Herman Orchestra will take listeners on a summer trip down memory lane. The concert is sponsored by PIRELLI.

On July 18, jazz lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy Esbjörn Svensson, a young pianist whose star shines ever more brightly, at the Cemal Reþit Rey Concert Hall. Svensson has been described as the new Keith Jarrett. Northern European influences, which played a key role in shaping contemporary jazz, are brought to life through the dynamic interpretations of the Esbjörn Svensson Trio. Istanbul audiences will now have the opportunity to became acquainted with the pianist, who released his sixth album, "Good Morning Susie Soho", in 2000, won an award for "Best New Musician" in his native Sweden and has performed at major festivals including the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Another venue for the 8th International Istanbul Jazz Festival is the magical setting of the Esma Sultan Yalýsý, an historical waterfront mansion. Cubanismo performs at the Esma Sultan Yalýsý on July 16 and Pink Martini appears on stage there on July 18 and 19. Led by Jesus Alemany, Cubanismo's "Mardi Gras Mambo" mixes the music of perhaps the world's two most colorful cities: New Orleans and Havana. The son, mambo, cha-cha, danzon and timba of Havana meet the R&B, jazz and blues of New Orleans to produce an incomparable combination. The Cubanismo concert is sponsored by OSMANLI BANK.

Pink Martini blends influences from classical chamber music to Cuban, from French music halls to foreign films, resulting in a dynamic frenzy of percussion, brass, strings and lyrics that span the continents. "Je Ne Veux Pas Travailler", a single from Pink Martini's first album, "Sympatique", shot to the top of the radio charts. Pink Martini has succeeded in creating popular music colored by classical and orchestral influences. The July 18 concert is sponsored by DHL; the one on July 19 is sponsored by PIRELLI.

The fourth and final venue for this year's International Istanbul Jazz Festival is Babylon. One of Istanbul's foremost performance spaces, Babylon will host swing, modern jazz, drum'n' bass, electronic and World Music performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Future Sound of Istanbul, IAJE Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Sextet, Beady Belle, Bugge Wesselfoft, Ricardo Lemvo & Makine Loca, Mardi Gras bb and Reiner Trüby, as well as DJ's Grooverider, Peter Kruder and Reiner Trüby. The series of performances of sponsored by FUJÝ FILM TURKEY and RADIO OXI-GEN FM 95.9.

On July 11, French group Dezoriental appears at Babylon on their tour as part of the European Jazz Festivals Association - Young Talents Exchange Program. The Radio Oxi-Gen Urban Groove Party, Jazz Festival Edition - III will be held at Babylon on July 17.

The 8th International Istanbul Jazz Festival would like to thank Universal Music Turkey, The British Council, United States Information Service (USIS) and Embassy of Norway in Turkey for their kind collaboration.

The International Istanbul Jazz Festival is a member of the European Jazz Festivals Association, members of which include the Montreux, Pori, Umbria, Vitoria, North Sea, Molde, Vienne and Vienna Jazz Festivals in Europe, as well as the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada. The director of the International Istanbul Jazz Festival, Görgün Taner, has also been the chairman of the European Jazz Festivals Assocatiation for the past two years.

Posters for the 8th International Istanbul Jazz Festival were designed by TAYFA.

Web pages related to the 8th International Istanbul Jazz Festival can be accessed at the Istanbul Culture and Arts Center's web-site at www.istfest.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Ustungel Inanc
Int'l Press Coordinator
Istanbul Foundation for Culture & Arts
Istiklal Cad. No: 146 Beyoglu
80070 Istanbul - Turkey
Tel: +90 212 292 0926
Fax: +90 212 249 5575

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