Izmir Jazz Festival to host stars

Gathering together jazz artists from Turkey and further afield, the 19th Izmir European Jazz Festival is set to ring in spring in the Aegean province between March 3 and 17. The opening concert, which will also help mark the 400th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands, will feature Arifa, a four-person band that blends musical cultures, as well as Turkish ney artist Senol Filiz. The 10th edition of a jazz poster competition will also be held prior to the first concert. The festival is also set to provide a number of opportunities to young artists in terms of jazz education, particularly through workshops. Many young jazz musicians attending the Open Jazz Orchestra Workshop will have an opportunity to play on an international stage for the first time at the event’s final concert. This year’s seminar by the festival’s consultant, Francesco Martinelli, will focus on the instrument that is perhaps most instrumental to jazz, the saxophone. All activities will be organized at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center with the exception of the workshops and seminars. Altogether, an exhibition, a seminar and nine concerts will be organized at the event. The festival is being organized by the Izmir Foundation for Culture Arts and Education with support from the local metropolitan municipality. The festival is also being held with contributions from the Dutch embassy in Turkey, the Polish Consulate General in Istanbul.