Istanbul Expres: Istanbul Acoustic Fusion / Serkan Çagri & Rumeli Band

PROJECT YOLDA

Throughout the Istanbul Ekspres festival, various concerts will take place under the ‘Project Yolda’ banner. This is a special collaboration project between Turkish and Belgian musicians celebrating 50 years of Turkish immigration in Belgium.

This particular show will feature the following musicians: Wouter Vandenabeele (violin), Thomas Noël (guitare, keys), Özge Öz Erdoğan (voice) en Ayten Çelik (percussion).

You also will see a video report of their travels, made by documentary maker Jonatan Lyssens.

ISTANBUL ACOUSTIC FUSION

Istanbul Acoustic Fusion is the brainchild of composer and darbuka-virtuoso Levent Yildirim. Together with his band, Levent will guide you through his own, fascinating world of jazz and traditional Turkish music. He is best known for his unusual mix of techniques, including the left-handed finger technique and the Indian tabladrum. His refreshing blend of jazz, world music, classical patterns and captivating improvisation will have you on the edge of your seat. All of Istanbul Acousitc Fusion’s musicians share a common love and passion for their instruments, resulting in interplay of the highest quality.

Levent Yildirim (percussion), Fahri Karaduman (violin), Mustafa Olgan (qanoen), İrfan Keçebaşoğlu (bass guitar)

SERKAN ÇAGRI & RUMELI BAND

Serkan Çağri is a true master of the clarinet. With festive, Eastern melodies running unrestrained throughout the music of his Rumeli Band, you’ll have a hard time not to get up and dance.

Serkan Çağri was taught a love for music at his mother’s knee. At the age of thirteen, his clarinet play won him his first award. And he didn’t just learn how to play the instrument; he immersed himself in its theoretical and historic background as well. Together with the Rumeli Band, Çağri will treat you to an exciting patchwork of dynamic melodies and vivid female vocals that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Serkan Çağri (clarinet), Gencay Kiymaz (drums), Gurur Nar (percussion), Mehmet Özen (bass), Yücel Girgin (guitar), Erman Türkeli (keyboard), Devrim Ekiz (qanoen) and Asli Demirer (vocals).