“Hacettepe Academic Jazz Trio” took the stage at the 28th Ankara Jazz Festival organized by the Jazz Association with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The festival, which will bring together many jazz artists with the people of Ankara in different venues until November 30, is organized this year with the theme of “jazz energy”.
Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory hosted the event, which was held on the seventh day of the festival with the participation of Jazz Association President and festival curator Özlem Oktar Varoğlu. At the event that brought jazz lovers together at Beytepe Recital Hall, Hacettepe Academic Jazz Trio, consisting of Berk Kurdoğlu on piano, Gökhan Över on double bass and Serkan Alagök on drums, was accompanied by soloist Elif Burcu Say.
FESTIVAL SUPPORTS ANKARA GROUPS
Making a statement to ankaranethaber.com reporter after the concert, Hacettepe Academic Jazz Trio pianist Berk Kurdoğlu said that they were very pleased with the event and were honored to be at this festival. Stating that the festival committee supports classic Ankara bands every year, Kurdoğlu said, “I am attending this festival for the second time. Our previous group was a little more crowded. We participated with a different project. “We are very honored, we thank you.” he said.
DOUBLE BASS HAS BECOME AN ESSENTIAL FOR TRIOS
Gökhan Över, the double bassist of Hacettepe Academic Jazz Trio, said in his statement after the concert: “My instrument, the double bass, is normally a stringed instrument, but it first started to be played in classical music. Later he joined jazz orchestras. First of all, the tuba played the role of the bass instrument in marching bands. Later, he gradually began to take on this role of double bass in trios and orchestras. Since then, it has become a fixture and an indispensable instrument in jazz trios.” he said.
Making evaluations about the jazz festival, Över said, “We have been coming to watch festivals as listeners since our childhood, but now it is very enjoyable to be here and participate as musicians. There are very good concerts. There is a very rich lineup this year, including amateur musicians, academic staff, and participants from abroad. We are also very happy to be in this team. We go to watch jazz concerts as much as we can. I went to watch Ava Trio in Last Penny, it was very nice and enjoyable. I’m working on two projects this year. “On Saturday, November 30, we will meet jazz lovers at the “Beatles Meet Jazz” concert at Samm’s Bistro, with Serkan Alagök on drums.” he said.
FROM JAZZ FOLLOWER TO JAZZ MUSICIAN
Hacettepe Academic Jazz Trio drummer Serkan Alagök said that they gave a very enjoyable concert together with soloist Elif Burcu Say as faculty members of Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, Jazz Main Art Branch, within the scope of the 28th International Ankara Jazz Festival.
Stating that it is a very nice repertoire, Alagök said, “I used to go to the Ankara Jazz Festival very often as a spectator during my high school years. I tried to follow all the concerts at university. For the last 5-6 years, I have been playing at a concert at the Ankara Jazz Festival every year. This festival is very valuable to us, especially as a native of Ankara, as a jazz lover and as a jazz musician. We thank everyone who contributed. “I hope it continues for many years.” he said. (source:ankaranethaber.com)
