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The 33rd edition of the Istanbul Jazz Festival will kick off on June 30 and run through July 13, once again turning Türkiye’s largest city into a meeting point for international and local music lovers. Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), a leading nonprofit cultural institution, the festival will host nearly 30 concerts over 14 days, featuring close to 200 artists.
Sponsored by Garanti BBVA, the event has long stood out as a key date on Istanbul’s cultural calendar. This year’s lineup includes globally recognized names such as Marcus Miller, Robert Plant, Thee Sacred Souls, Arooj Aftab, Mari Froes, Ayhan Sicimoglu, Selen Beytekin, Joe Lovano, Antonio Farao and Veronica Swift.
IKSV Deputy General Manager Yesim Gurer Oymak underlined that for 33 years the festival has brought the spirit of jazz and its neighboring genres to Istanbul, while steadily expanding its reach. She emphasized that inclusivity and support for emerging artists remain central to the event’s mission.
Oymak pointed out that through the Young Artist Fund, launched two years ago, young jazz musicians have been supported in reaching international stages throughout the year. She added that the festival continues to open up space for new talent through the Young Jazz+ program and makes concerts more accessible to younger audiences through the Eczacibasi Young Ticket initiative.
In line with its aim to bring music to wider audiences, the festival will once again roll out its popular Jazz in the Parks concerts, which take place in open public spaces and are free of charge.
Festival Director Harun Izer said the event continues to branch out beyond traditional jazz, embracing a wide range of genres and geographies. He explained that this year’s program stretches from North and South America, including Brazil, to Europe and Pakistan, bringing together established masters and fresh voices.
At a time when societies are increasingly turning inward and conflicts are on the rise, Izer highlighted the importance of listening to and understanding different voices. He noted that the festival aims to bring these diverse sounds together in harmony and invited audiences with the call “Let’s meet in jazz.”
Jazz musician Senem Diyici will receive this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition granted as part of the festival’s program.
Concerts will be held at some of Istanbul’s landmark venues, including Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre, Ataturk Cultural Center, Salon IKSV, The Marmara Esma Sultan Yalisi, the garden of the Italian Consulate General in Istanbul, Moda Sahnesi & Komunite, Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus and Swissotel the Bosphorus.
Among the highlights, Marcus Miller will perform on June 30, followed by Thee Sacred Souls and La Lom on July 1, and “Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian” on July 2. Arooj Aftab will take the stage at Ataturk Cultural Center on July 3, while Senem Diyici Mavi Yol Quartet feat. Okay Temiz will perform at Salon IKSV on July 4. Mari Froes will headline Brazil Night on July 6.
Joe Lovano feat. Antonio Farao Trio with Ira Coleman and Johnathan Blake will perform on July 7, while Ayhan Sicimoglu Harikalar Bandosu and Selen Beytekin will appear later in the week. Veronica Swift will close out the festival on July 13.
The traditional Jazz Ferry, a Bosphorus boat concert departing from Kabatas Transfer Center, will set off on July 12, offering audiences a live music experience on the water.
In the lead-up to the festival, Garanti BBVA Festival Talks will take place in March and April at Salt Beyoglu, a contemporary art and cultural venue in central Istanbul. The discussions will cover topics such as artificial intelligence in music, the 40-year history of Pan Books, a music publishing house, and how music venues operate.
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