Blues, Jazz entertainment in Turkey
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A
Nardis Jazz Club
Just down the hill from the Galata Tower, this venue, named after a Miles Davis track, is where the real aficionados go. Run by jazz guitarist Önder Focan and his wife Zuhal, Nardis is small but big in atmosphere. Its line-up of performers is exceptionally good; some come from the winners’ ranks of its yearly amateur contest and others are visiting international artists. Different daily performers make every visit fresh and serendipitous – book ahead.
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B
Jazz Café
Established by Mete Gurman and Cengiz Sanlı in 1982, this mellow two-storey place is one of the city’s original jazz joints and is bathed in mood lighting. Great local jazz musicians such as Bülent Ortaçgil come here to perform to 30-something jazzheads, and musicians from other genres also feature – funk/acid or blues are played Tuesday to Thursday, for instance. In summer, the club decamps to Bodrum.
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C
Troy the Pub
A restaurant during the day and a bar at night, this 24-hour pub changes its attitude drastically as the clock slowly turns. Breakfasts here are quiet and relaxing; show up in the afternoon or evening to hear reggae, jazz and hip-hop.
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D
Istanbul Jazz Center
JC’s plays regular host to members of the jazz world’s who’s-who. The stylish setting accounts for the steep bill for dinner plus music and drinks. It’s next to the Radisson SAS Bosphorus Hotel.
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E
Denizalti Café Bar
Another place for jazz and a 'mean martini' according to one local, it has tables outside as well as a pleasant terrace that looks out over Atatürk's shoulders across the whole square.
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F
Jazz Time
A low-key jazz club, with tables, usually hosting live Turkish pop or folk artists. The attached Gitanes Bar has a garden terrace.
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