Let’s gather around jazz
Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and sponsored by Garanti BBVA, the Istanbul Jazz Festival will once again showcase a diverse programme reflecting the vibrant music life of the city between 1 and 17 July 2025. This year’s festival features Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Max Richter, Grégory Privat, Chiara Civello, an exquisite line-up of local artists, radiant venues, festival specials and many more.
Istanbul Jazz Festival returns to the city for the 32nd time. The festival brings together groundbreaking artists who have revolutionised the global music scene with their innovative and experimental styles, drawing inspiration from the liberating spirit of jazz. The festival will host over 200 local and foreign musicians from world-renowned masters to rising talents at nearly 40 concerts over 17 days.
Experience the city with jazz
6-time Grammy winner Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdés, pioneers in the revival of Latin guitar-heavy music Hermanos Gutiérrez and Max Richter, a British composer and pianist who bridged electronic and contemporary classical music, will perform in the first three days of the festival. The Jazz Boat will take jazz lovers to a Bosphorus tour full of eclectic sounds while Night Out with +1 in Kadıköy and free Jazz in the Parks events will spread the joy of the festival to the city.
Throughout the festival, audiences will enjoy a wide range of performances. Grammy-winning Meshell Ndegeocello will present her new album dedicated to James Baldwin, which garnered the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Jazz Album last February. One of the most captivating pianists of recent years, Grégory Privat, will perform songs from his album Phoneix, featuring one of Türkiye’s esteemed trumpet players Tolga Bilgin. Vocalist Chiara Civello will greet audiences with Canzoni Deluxe Edition and will be supported by the opening performance of three young talents: Hakan Başar, hailed by jazz legend Chick Corea as a key figure carrying his legacy forward, joined by Italian double bass player and composer Michelangelo Scandroglio and accomplished drummer Enes Yeldemir. Jazzmeia Horn, known for pushing the limits of jazz with her groundbreaking compositions will grace the festival stage. The line-up also includes Brazilian bossa nova artist Rogê, Meltem Ege with her new album Solitude, and the Kerem Görsev Quintet performing pieces from Clear Horizon.
As the weather warms up and the city comes alive, the festival offers the perfect opportunity to explore its most charming and historically significant landmarks. Among these, the Esma Sultan Mansion, Palais de France, and the garden of the Consulate General of Italy stand out as centuries old gems to host enchanting nights full of delightful melodies. The most magical open air performance venue of Istanbul located right at the heart of the city, Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre will host the festival. In the festival’s traditional Night Out with +1 event, audiences will once again stroll in the warmth of a Kadıköy evening in pursuit of good music from Istanbul and around the world.
The Jazz Boat: A jazz event unique to Istanbul
The sound of the ferry whistle, the cry of seagulls, the unique view of the Peninsula… In this indispensable event of the Istanbul Jazz Festival, each section of the ferry transforms into a different stage, offering the audience jazz, dance, and excitement. The Jazz Boat will sail from Kabataş Pier at 11.00 on Sunday, July 13, along the Bosphorus to Anadolu Kavağı, bringing the audience together with jazz and swing on the Bosphorus. Istanbul-based brass quintet Brassist, Ragtime and Dixieland-influenced singer and clarinet player Kamucan Yalçın and his band, and New Orleans and Dixieland blues musician Kaan Arslan Co will perform at the Jazz Boat. The event will be held in collaboration with Istanbul City Lines, Şehir Hatları.
Jazz in the Parks
One of the most enjoyable events of the Istanbul Jazz Festival, Jazz in the Parks once again invites all music lovers to the parks. Bands from Türkiye and the world will take the stage, transforming parks into festival grounds for a day. Detailed schedule will be announced soon at the festival website.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Saafi)
