Where Istanbul’s continents collide, jazz takes the lead—here’s your fast-track guide to the Istanbul Jazz Festival’s biggest moments, standout names, and what’s already brewing for 2026.
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Istanbul: A Symphony of Cultural Harmony
Istanbul, a city renowned for its rich heritage and diverse influences, serves as a crossroads where various forms of art and culture flourish. One facet that exceptionally complements this mosaic is jazz music—a genre that finds its ultimate expression in the esteemed Akbank Jazz Festival.
An Enduring Pillar of Jazz in Turkey
The Akbank Jazz Festival is not merely an event; it’s a venerable institution in the world of Turkish jazz. Established in 1991 by Akbank, a financial cornerstone of Turkey, the festival has grown to become a linchpin in the promotion of jazz culture and a nurturing ground for emerging and established talent alike.
Boasting an illustrious history marked by performances from jazz luminaries such as Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Keith Jarrett, the festival is an eagerly awaited celebration for jazz enthusiasts worldwide.
2025: A Summer to Remember (32nd edition recap)
The 32nd Istanbul Jazz Festival filled the city from early July 2025, bringing together 200+ artists across nearly 40 concerts over 17 days—a real “whole city becomes a stage” year.
The big opening run at Harbiye
2025 kicked off with three heavyweight nights at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre:
Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet (Festival Opening Concert)
Hermanos Gutiérrez
Max Richter
A meaningful opening week moment
At the festival’s opening events, İKSV presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Yalçın Ateş and İzzet Öz.
Ateş is a veteran saxophonist/bandleader who helped shape Turkey’s modern jazz scene, while Öz is a legendary radio/TV producer-presenter who introduced generations of listeners to jazz through influential music programs.
It’s a great reminder that the festival doesn’t only spotlight stars—it also honours the people who built the culture.
More 2025 highlights (a “who’s who” of the programme)
Beyond the opening trio, the 2025 programme stood out for its range—modern jazz voices, genre-blenders, and first-time Turkey performances. Among the names featured in the festival’s programme announcement:
Meshell Ndegeocello (Grammy-winning, genre-crossing icon)
Jazzmeia Horn (boundary-pushing vocalist/composer)
Grégory Privat (pianist/vocalist known for melodic richness + rhythmic drive)
Chiara Civello (NYC-based Italian musician)
Rogê (bringing samba/bossa nova back to the global stage; Turkey debut noted)
2026: First Names Announced (33rd edition preview)
İKSV has now announced the first surprises for the 33rd Istanbul Jazz Festival, set for 30 June – 14 July, 2026.
The first three nights will again spotlight Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre:
1) Opening Night — Marcus Miller
The festival opens with a powerhouse tribute that brings Marcus Miller’s WE WANT MILES! project to Istanbul.
Date/Time: 30 June 2026 (Tue), 21:30
A Miles Davis tribute project marking the 100th anniversary of Davis’s birth, with a lineup including Bill Evans, Mike Stern, Mino Cinelu, Russell Gunn alongside Marcus Miller.
2) Thee Sacred Souls — first Turkey concert
The second night shifts the spotlight to modern soul, as Thee Sacred Souls make their Istanbul debut.
Date/Time: 1 July 2026 (Wed), 20:00
The festival hosts their first Turkey show, bringing their retro-soul sound to Istanbul.
3) Robert Plant with Saving Grace & Suzi Dian
The third night goes big, with Robert Plant bringing Saving Grace (with Suzi Dian) to the Harbiye stage.
Date/Time: 2 July 2026 (Thu), 21:00
Robert Plant appears with Saving Grace (and Suzi Dian) for one of the festival’s biggest early headline moments.
İKSV notes that the full programme will be announced in the coming months.
Beyond the Main Stage
The festival extends its reach with:
- +1’li Gece Gezmesi (+1 Night Exploration): Explore the vibrant Kadıköy district on a musical walking tour.
- Caz Vapuru (Jazz Ferry): Combine the beauty of the Bosphorus with the sweet sounds of jazz on this delightful cruise.
- Parklarda Caz (Jazz in parks): Enjoy free outdoor jazz concerts at various parks in Istanbul.
- Pera’da Bir Caz Akşamı (An evening of jazz in Pera): Experience a magical evening with a three-stop jazz tour in the heart of Beyoğlu.
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