Jazz Clubs in Turkey

Daily Hürriyet Newspaper asked jazz enthusiasts and professionals the best ten addresses of jazz.

Istanbul Jazz Center
Pianist Kerem Görsev opened Istanbul Jazz Center in the Radisson SAS Hotel, Ortaköy in 2005 and the center gained a worldwide name in a short time. Indoors of the center has a capacity of 180 people while the terrace with Bosphorous view hosts 400 people in summer. The performances start at 21:00 on the weekdays and at 21:30 on the weekend. "Sunday Lunch" with jazz music is available on Sundays between 12:00 and 17:00. The restaurant is open everyday from 19:00 till midnight.

Nardis Jazz Club
Jazz musician Önder Focan and his wife Zuhal Focan founded Nardis Jazz Club on Kuledibi Sokak, Galata. Mainstream, modern, fusion and ethnic jazz are among the music performed. The sound system of the venue has been designed to offer the best acoustics to the guests. Nardis has a capacity of 120 people. It serves drinks and snacks.

Babylon
Founded in 1999, Babylon is located at Beyoğlu Asmalımescit. Famous American jazz magazine Downbeat included Babylon in "The Best 100 Jazz Clubs in the World" list in 2002 and 2004. This two-story venue can host 400 people. Approximately twenty concerts, five of which are jazz, are performed in a month. Babylon is also among the main venues of Istanbul International Jazz Festival and Akbank Jazz Festival. The doors open at 21:00 on the weekdays and at 22:00 on the weekends.

Q Jazz by Les Ottomans
Q Jazz was first opened in Çıragan Palace in 1995 and since November 2006 it is in Les Ottomans Hotel, Kuruçeşme. The club ranges over an area of 300 sq.mt with the Bosphorus view and has a capacity of 200 (seated) and 250 (standing) people at the same time. Drinks and quick meals are served. It is open everyday between 23.00 and 03.00.

Jazz Cafe
Jazz Cafe was opened in Bodrum 25 years ago and moved to Istanbul in 1995. It is one of the oldest jazz clubs in Turkey. It now serves at the two floors of a four-story historical building in Beyoglu. The venue has a capacity of 200 people. Jazz concerts take place in weekdays on the top floor. Famous Turkish jazz musicians regularly perform at Jazz Cafe.

Swiss Ambassador
Jazz music is performed at Ambassador Bar of Swissotel Ankara which was opened in 2006 offers jazz music performances on Wednesday and Friday nights. Grammy Award winner Diane Shuur performed there shortly after the opening. Tuna Ötenel, one of the leading names of Turkish jazz, performs at Ambassador regularly. The venue is open from 21:00 to 02:00. Jazz performances begin at 21:00. The bar has 60-person capacity and has a rich wine menu.

Dulcinea
Dulcinea has been decorated in a New Yorker café and the lower floor of the venue hosts live jazz performances every Thursday from 22:00 to 02:00. It can hold up to 600 people and live performances have been continuing since 1997.

Fige
Fige is located in Ankara and Figen Altınok is the owner of the venue. Wednesday nights are reserved only to jazz performers. On Friday and Saturday the program begins with jazz performances and continues with Latin and nostalgic Turkish songs. The performances begin at 21:00. Jazz group Mejazzi, composed of musicians performed in various jazz bars in Ankara, regularly perform in Fige. It is open every day between 11:00 and 02:00.

Beyaz Ev
Beyaz Ev is located in the social facilitiy of Hacettepe University, Ankara and has been transformed from a depot into a jazz bar. The bar section opens only on Saturdays at 21:00. Beyaz Ev has a capacity of 130 people and reservation is required. Jazz performances begin at 22:00. Fever 5, composed of four musicians; regularly perform following Speed Fire's program, which is mainly blues.

Sardunya
Sardunya is located at Alsancak, Izmir and was opened seven years ago. Jazz music has been performed for the last five years. The group Jazz5 is the regular performer of the venue. It offers light meals such as salad, crepe and sandwiches.

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