33rd Istanbul Jazz Festival Begins: Music to Fill the City

Istanbul is set to resonate with music as the 33rd Istanbul Jazz Festival commences on June 30 and runs until July 13. Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), the festival will bring together approximately 30 concerts and nearly 200 artists in diverse locations throughout the city.

Harun İzer, the Festival Director, shared in an interview on Cumhuriyet TV's "Kültür Rotası" program that this year's festival boasts larger productions and more powerful stage performances than the previous edition. "Last year, we had a calmer and more refined program. This year, we've emphasized stronger orchestras, bigger productions, and high-energy concerts," İzer stated, noting that the festival balances jazz traditions with contemporary music's trending artists.

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Last year, we had a calmer and more refined program. This year, we've emphasized stronger orchestras, bigger productions, and high-energy concerts.

The festival's opening night on June 30 at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre will feature Marcus Miller's "WE WANT MILES! The Reunion Tour 2026." A highly anticipated event is the July 2 concert by Robert Plant, a seminal figure in rock history, performing with his band Saving Grace. "This will be one of the most significant concerts in Istanbul in recent years. Tickets are selling out fast," İzer commented on the high demand. The lineup also includes performances by Thee Sacred Souls, LA LOM, Grammy winner Arooj Aftab, Joe Lovano, Antonio Faraò, Veronica Swift, Mari Froes, Ayhan Sicimoğlu, and Selen Beytekin.

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This will be one of the most significant concerts in Istanbul in recent years. Tickets are selling out fast.

Extending beyond traditional concert halls, the festival will spread across Istanbul's iconic sites, including the Esma Sultan Waterfront, the Italian Consulate Garden, AKM, Salon İKSV, and Harbiye Open-Air Theatre. Special events like "+1'li Gece Gezmesi" (Night Out with +1), "Caz Vapuru" (Jazz Ferry), and "Parklarda Caz" (Jazz in the Parks) are also key attractions. İzer emphasized the importance of free events, noting that "Jazz in the Parks" on July 4 and 5 will feature emerging artists selected from the "Genç Caz+" program. The festival aims to engage audiences of all ages through children's workshops and talks.

This year's "Lifetime Achievement Award" will be presented to jazz musician Senem Diyici. İzer described the phone call informing Diyici of the award as "truly emotional," noting her immense happiness. The festival also introduces "Cazın Lezzet Hikâyeleri" (Jazz's Flavor Stories), a new event merging jazz music with gastronomy. The traditional "Caz Vapuru" will once again sail the Bosphorus. Over its 13-day run, the festival will showcase not only jazz but also soul, funk, rock, and world music within Istanbul's historic settings.

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It was truly an emotional phone call.