MEET YOUNG JAZZ+
Organised as part of the Istanbul Jazz Festival since 2003, Young Jazz+ has been providing a platform for young musicians under the age of 28 who make music amateurly or semi-professionally in Turkey. Young Jazz+ elections take place every year from among applications and the selected musicians and ensembles get the chance to perform on stage with international artists at the Istanbul Jazz Festival and record the Young Jazz+ album, released after the festival.
FIRST STEP INTO THE PROFESSIONAL MUSIC WORLD
Young Jazz+ supports all young musicians who are studying in the field of music or engaged in music as amateurs. The music that Young Jazz+ seeks is not restricted to jazz in the classical sense so that any music relying on jazz such as funk, R&B, neo-soul, electronic music, hip-hop, electronic music and hip-hop is welcomed. The aim is to discover new names producing original and quality music and introduce them to the music industry.
WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUNG JAZZ+?
The selected bands take the stage at the Jazz in the Parks concerts, the traditional series of the Istanbul Jazz Festival that is open to the public free of charge. This way, the bands gain the formative experience of performing in front of a large audience. Afterwards, they record their original works in a professional studio, mixed and mastered by sound engineers. The resulting album is produced by the festival and published on digital platforms under the name of 'Young Jazz+'. Professional photographers and editors contribute to the promotion of the album.
From the evaluation concerts to the album project, the bands get the opportunity to meet professionals in the music industry, to work with and be mentored by them. The pairings of musicians and mentors are made taking into consideration the musical inclinations of both. Mentors support the bands as producers with their guidance during album recordings.
HOW TO JOIN?
- Application dates are announced here on the website at the end of January every year.
- All musicians under the age of 28 who comply with the conditions to be announced can apply.
- In the first stage, the selection committee evaluates the submitted demo recordings.
- The first 10 ensembles/musicians whose demos are deemed successful are invited to the evaluation concert that takes place in May.
- The first 6 ensembles that are found successful by the selection committee in their live performance at the evaluation concert are entitled to participate in the festival and album recording.
WHO IS ON OUR SELECTION COMMITTEE?
The selection committee comprises music professionals who are invited to support the Young Jazz+ programme.
The 2024 Young Jazz+ selection committee includes musician Ayşe Tütüncü, musician Çağıl Kaya, musician Selen Gülün, musician Okan Kaya, musician Volkan Öktem, radio programmer Dr. Hakan Rauf Tüfekçi, writer Yekta Kopan, Sony Music Turkey General Manager Özden Bora, music professional and founder of Babylon and Pozitif Ahmet Uluğ, Akra Jazz Festival Director Kadir Dursun and Istanbul Jazz Festival Director Harun İzer.
PREVIOUS YOUNG JAZZERS
Over the past two decades, the Young Jazz+ has given more than 90 young artists or ensembles the opportunity to take part in the festival together with world-renowned stars. The artists participated in many other international festivals after their Young Jazz+ success and had the opportunity to perform at various jazz clubs in Turkey and abroad.
The musicians and ensembles that have participated in Young Jazz+ in the past include Ece Göksu, Ozan Musluoğlu, Cem Tuncer, Çağrı Sertel, Gevende, Cihan Mürtezaoğlu, Batuhan Şallıel, Anıl Şallıel, Volkan Topakoğlu, Deniz Taşar, Başak Yavuz, Tolga Erzurumlu, Eylül Biçer, Can Tutuğ, Sanat Deliorman, The Kites, Cazzip Project, İpek Dinç and Büşra Kayıkçı.
