With so much amazing talent around, such as the show-stealing Elif Çağlar, it is hardly surprising that Turkey takes its jazz seriously. There are two major festivals in Istanbul alone: the Istanbul Jazz Festival in July and the autumn Akbank Jazz Festival. And there is plenty on offer elsewhere in the country, from a glorious three-day festival in July on the Aegean island of Bozcaada to festivals in Ankara, Izmir, Bodrum and Afyonkarahisar, to name but a handful.
For those in the know, Istanbul has excellent jazz hideaways. Cornucopia invited jazz aficionado Ahmet Ramazanoğulları to recommend his favourite bars and clubs.
Nardis Jazz Club
The veteran club just up the hill from the Galata Tower.
- Bereketzade Mahallesi, Kuledibi Sok No: 8, Galata, İstanbul
- +90 212 244 63 27
- www.nardisjazz.com
- www.facebook.com/nardis
- www.instagram.com/nardisjazz
Social Jazz Bar
- Bereket Mah. Bankalar Cad. Voyvoda Sok. No:2/1, 34420 Karaköy, İstanbul
- +90 534 591 7979
- www.facebook.com/socialjazzbar
- www.instagram.com/socialjazzbar
The Badau
- Duatepe Sokak 49/A, Yeldeğirmeni Mahallesi, Kadıköy, İstanbul
- +90 532 306 43 34
- www.facebook.com/thebadau
- www.instagram.com/thebadau.istanbul
Divine Brasserie & Jazz Club
- Nişantaşı Ihlamur Yolu Sok, Sokullu Apartmanı, No: 34/B, Şişli, 34365, İstanbul
- +90 212 231 84 69 / +90 537 958 0035
- www.facebook.com/DivineBrasserieAndJazzClub
- www.instagram.com/divinebrasserie.jazzclub
Bova Sahne
- Şehit Muhtar Mahallesi, Mis Sokak, No: 17, Beyoğlu, İstanbul
- +90 533 647 57 27
- www.facebook.com/bovasahne
- www.instagram.com/bova_sahne
Salon İKSV
- Nejat Eczacıbaşı Binası, Sadi Konuralp Caddesi, No: 5, Şişhane, İstanbul
- +90 212 334 0700
- www.saloniksv.com
- www.facebook.com/saloniksv
- www.instagram.com/saloniksv
Babylon
- Tarihi Bomonti Bira Fabrikası, Birahane Sokak, No: 1, Şişli, 34384, İstanbul
- +90 212 334 0190
- www.babylon.com.tr
- www.facebook.com/babylon
- www.instagram.com/babylonistanbul
Touché (Zorlu PSM)
- Zorlu Center, Levazım Mah. Koru Sok. No:2/PSM/70 Zincirlikuyu, Beşiktaş, İstanbul
- +90 212 924 0128
- www.zorlupsm.com/tr
- www.instagram.com/touche_psm
Living Room
- Caferağa Mahallesi, Arayıcıbaşı Sokak, No: 9, 34710, Kadıköy, İstanbul
- +90 216 405 24 04
- www.livingroom.com.tr
- www.facebook.com/LivingRoomLR
- www.instagram.com/livingroomist
Jazz Company
- Elite World İstanbul Hotel, Şehit Muhtar Mahallesi, Şehit Muhtar Caddesi, No: 42, 34437, Beyoğlu, İstanbul
- +90 212 313 8383
- www.facebook.com/JazzCompany/
- www.instagram.com/jazzcompanyelite
The new Arter contemporary art museum in Dolapdere has announced a programme of jazz concertains, and jazz groups also make regular appearances at the Divan Brasserie, Swissotel, Conrad and Hilton Maslak Hotels.
For listings and jazz events around the country, visit www.jazzdergisi.com and www.turkishjazz.org.
