IstanbulEntertainment

Blues, Jazz entertainment in Istanbul

  1. 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.

    reviewed

  2. 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.

    reviewed

  3. C

    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.

    reviewed