Click here to listen to the album on digital platforms.
The sixth instalment of Young Jazz+, an album series born out of the Istanbul Jazz Festival’s ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging talent and helping young musicians find their footing in the professional music scene, was released on 5 November. Bringing together original compositions by six rising acts whose sounds span jazz, electronic music, funk and neo-soul, Young Jazz+ 26 is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Designed to give young amateur and semi-professional musicians in Türkiye the opportunity to perform on the festival stage and bring their music to wider audiences, the Young Jazz+ initiative continues to champion the next generation of musical talent. Released on 5 November with the support of the Young Artist Fund and in collaboration with Universal Music Türkiye, Young Jazz+ 26 marks the latest chapter in this journey. This year’s Young Jazz+ programme is made possible with the contribution of Rönesans Gayrimenkul, supporting İKSV as its New Stage Partner.
This year’s selected acts, Dandefuse, Efe Erdem Quintet, Füniküler, One Two Trio, Teselli and Time Circle, first took to the stage as part of the Istanbul Jazz Festival’s Jazz in the Parks concerts. Following their festival performances, the six groups reconvened at Hayyam Studios in August to record their original compositions, each working alongside an established musician in the producer’s chair. Zeynep Oktar produced Dandefuse, Mert Can Bilgin worked with Efe Erdem Quintet, Toprak Özcan with Füniküler, Nihal Saruhanlı with One Two Trio, Çağıl Kaya with Teselli and Selen Gülün with Time Circle.
Capturing six distinct musical identities, the album was mixed and mastered by Sinan Sakızlı, with band photography by Mete Kaan Özdilek. Young Jazz+ 26 will be celebrated with a launch concert at Pera 77 on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
The 2026 Young Jazz+ Selection Committee brought together musicians Selen Gülün, Çağıl Kaya, Nihal Saruhanlı and Volkan Öktem; radio host Dr. Hakan Rauf Tüfekçi; Young Jazz+ alumnus and Aposto CEO Orhun Canca; producer Sinan Sakızlı; Universal Music Türkiye Head of A&R Ateş Erkoç; musician and venue operator Ali Ramiz Barut; and Istanbul Jazz Festival Director Harun İzer.
WHO’S ON THE ALBUM?
Dandefuse, “Lap Time”
Seçkin Eroğlu, bass
Levent Demirci, guitar
Buğra Yazıcı, flugelhorn
Eren Gürbüz, alto saxophone
Hakan Çakıcı, keys
Ertuğrul Güner, drums
Producer: Zeynep Oktar
Formed in Ankara in 2025 by members of the METU Jazz Society and students of the Jazz Department at Hacettepe Conservatory, Dandefuse is a six-piece modern jazz and fusion ensemble. Featuring Seçkin Eroğlu on bass guitar, Levent Demirci on electric guitar, Buğra Yazıcı on flugelhorn, Eren Gürbüz on alto saxophone, Hakan Çakıcı on keyboards, and Ertuğrul Güner on drums, the band brings together a diverse range of modern jazz and fusion sounds through its original compositions.
Efe Erdem Quintet, “Ardında Kalan”
Efe Erdem, vocals
Güneş Sungur, contrabass
Kuzey Güden, drums
Tuğrul Kaan Gezgin, saxophone
Yusuf Çebe, piano
Producer: Mert Can Bilgin
An energetic ensemble of five young musicians trained at the Jazz Department of Istanbul University State Conservatory, Efe Erdem Quintet is led by vocalist Efe Erdem, alongside Güneş Sungur on double bass, Kuzey Güden on drums, Tuğrul Kaan Gezgin on saxophone, and Yusuf Çebe on piano. Blending modern jazz compositions and classic standards with Turkish-language lyrics, the quintet also brings its own original material to the repertoire. Drawing inspiration from funk rhythms, the band delivers a vibrant, dynamic sound full of energy and character.
Füniküler, “Dorylaion”
Özgü Dündar, vocals
Doğa Toparlak, trombone & back vocals
Ozan Güler, piano
Habib Haznedar, bass
Abdullah Örs, drums
Producer: Toprak Özcan
Featuring Özgü Dündar on vocals, Doğa Toparlak on trombone and backing vocals, Ozan Güler on piano, Habib Haznedar on bass guitar, and Abdullah Örs on drums, Füniküler draws inspiration from jazz, Anatolian music, and Latin rhythms. At the heart of the band's musical vision lies a desire to bridge East and West, bringing together influences from different eras and traditions. Combining intricate rhythmic structures with a groove-driven sensibility, Füniküler explores a distinctly progressive musical direction.
One Two Trio, “Magnetic”
Saim Mert Sarıçalı, piano
Güneş Sungur, contrabass
Hurşit Efe Köroğlu, drums
Producer: Nihal Saruhanlı
One Two Trio is a young jazz ensemble featuring Saim Mert Sarıçalı on piano, Güneş Sungur on double bass, and Hurşit Efe Köroğlu on drums. Rooted in attentive listening and a shared sense of musical space, the trio approaches both original compositions and jazz standards through spontaneous improvisation, allowing each performance to take shape in the moment. Their sound is defined by a strong musical dialogue and a fluid approach that moves freely between different styles.
Teselli, “Vadi”
Yağmur Yılmazlar, vocals
Anıl Koçak, piano
Ulaş Özdemir, contrabass
Selami Baysal, drums
Producer: Çağıl Kaya
Teselli is a four-piece jazz ensemble formed by students of Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory. Featuring Yağmur Yılmazlar on vocals, Anıl Koçak on piano, Ulaş Özdemir on double bass, and Selami Baysal on drums, the group places improvisation and jazz at the heart of its original compositions, offering fresh interpretations of familiar stories. Drawing on their shared musical background and artistic sensibilities, the musicians seek to explore familiar emotions from unexpected perspectives.
Time Circle, “Hidden Sprout”
Ulaş Özdemir, contrabass & vocals
Batu Özcan, drums & percussion
Ceren Çokdeğerli, piano
Producer: Selen Gülün
Time Circle is a jazz ensemble formed by musicians who came together through the Genç Caz+ programme. The trio features Ulaş Özdemir on double bass and vocals, a student of the Jazz Department at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory; Batu Özcan on drums and percussion, a student at Bilkent University's Faculty of Music and Performing Arts; and Ceren Çokdeğerli on piano, who studies jazz piano at Bahçeşehir University.
