Bozcaada Jazz Festival 2024: Celebration of music, connection, transformation
Bozcaada Jazz Festival 2024 brings global artists for three days full of music. (Photo via Unlimited Publications)
The Bozcaada Jazz Festival is set to make a return for its eighth edition on Sept. 6-8, with a strong focus on the theme of “Mycelium.”
This theme, inspired by the intricate and interconnected networks found in nature, encourages participants to form meaningful connections with each other and the world around them.
Bozcaada Jazz Festival’s role in enhancing cultural, economic fabric
Since its inception, the Bozcaada Jazz Festival has significantly impacted the island’s cultural and economic landscape.
By bringing together a diverse group of artists and attendees, the festival creates a vibrant atmosphere that benefits both the local community and visitors. The famous Turkish jazz festival does more than just deliver music; it actively promotes gender equality, ecological transformation, and social inclusion through a variety of activities.
“We are excited to explore how we can strengthen these connections and create an organic and dynamic network among our participants and stakeholders,” said Cagil Ozdemir, one of the festival’s founders. This year’s festival theme, “Mycelium,” reflects this commitment to building stronger ties within the community.
Bozcaada Jazz Festival 2024 schedule
| Date | Time | Artist/Group | Country | Genre/Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 6, 2024 | Evening | Deniz Tasar | Türkiye | Jazz, multidisciplinary |
| Leon Phal | France/Switzerland | Electronic jazz | ||
| Anika Nilles | Germany | Jazz, funk, pop, rock | ||
| Sept. 7, 2024 | Afternoon | Oner Karacuha Quartet | Türkiye | Traditional jazz with modern influences |
| Evening | KLEIN | Türkiye | Jazz, experimental | |
| Bozcaada Ensemble | Türkiye | Jazz, fusion | ||
| Kraak & Smaak (Live) | Netherlands | Electronic, funk | ||
| Sept. 8, 2024 | Afternoon | Girls in Airports | Denmark | Jazz, experimental |
| Evening | Cenk Erdogan Trio | Türkiye | Jazz | |
| Alfa Mist | UK | Jazz, hip-hop | ||
| Night | Childplay (DJ Set) | – | DJ, electronic |
Sept. 6: Kicking off with blend of jazz, funk, electronic elements
The festival’s first day will feature performances by Turkish artist Deniz Tasar, known for her multidisciplinary talents, including singing, songwriting, and design. Joining her on stage will be French-Swiss saxophonist Leon Phal, who integrates electronic elements with jazz, and German drummer Anika Nilles, whose expertise lies in combining jazz, funk, pop, and rock into her performances.
Each performance on the opening day aims to resonate with the festival’s overarching theme, inviting attendees to enjoy the music while engaging deeply with the ideas of connection and transformation.
Sept. 7: Merging traditional jazz with contemporary influences
On the second day, the festival will feature the Oner Karacuha Quartet, a group that merges traditional jazz with contemporary influences. The quartet includes Oguz Can Bilgin on trumpet, Cagan Irmak Koc on piano, Mine Yigitbasi on bass guitar, and Oner Karacuha on drums. Following them, performances by KLEIN, the Bozcaada Ensemble led by Onder Focan, and the Dutch group Kraak & Smaak (Live) will continue the musical journey with their energetic shows.
“The festival continues to evolve, and this year’s lineup reflects our ongoing effort to bring diverse and innovative music to Bozcaada,” said Murat Sezgi, one of the festival organizers.
Sept. 8: Final day features global jazz, hip-hop fusion
The final day will include performances from the Danish group Girls in Airports, known for their innovative approach to jazz. They will perform alongside the Cenk Erdogan Trio and London-based Alfa Mist, an artist recognized for his unique blend of hip-hop and jazz.
After the live music concludes, Childplay will take over the DJ stage, ensuring the festival ends on a lively note with engaging performances that keep the energy high into the night.
Discovery program: Exploring more than just music
In addition to its music program, the Bozcaada Jazz Festival offers the “Discovery” program, which includes workshops, excursions, networking events, panels, and discussion sessions.
These activities are spread across the island, encouraging participants to explore new ideas and engage with the festival’s themes of ecological transformation and social inclusion.
“The festival not only brings people together but also challenges them to think differently about the world around them,” said Simay Baran, curator of the “Discovery” program. This year’s events aim to foster deep engagement with topics such as gender equality and sustainability.
Bozcaada Jazz Festival’s legacy as one of Türkiye’s biggest jazz festivals
As the Bozcaada Jazz Festival approaches, excitement builds for what promises to be a memorable event. The festival‘s organizers remain committed to enhancing the cultural and social fabric of Bozcaada while exploring new ways to connect with attendees.
Bozcaada Mayor Yahya Goztepe expressed his support for the festival, stating, “Bozcaada Jazz Festival adds significant value to the island. Jazz music is a perfect fit for Bozcaada, and we are thrilled to welcome both locals and visitors to this year’s event.”
The Bozcaada Jazz Festival remains a vital part of the island’s identity, blending a rich musical program with a strong commitment to community and ecological values.
