The new names that will be on stage at the 35th Akbank Jazz Festival have been announced.

One of Turkey's most established jazz festivals, the Akbank Jazz Festival , is preparing to host prominent figures from the global jazz scene in Istanbul for its 35th year, with the motto "The city's jazz state." The new names for the festival, which will take place this year from September 27 to October 12 , have been announced. Organized by Akbank Sanat and BKM , the festival's new names are as follows:

Grammy award-winning Brazilian pianist and vocalist Eliane Elias , the pioneer of the "Stretch music" style, trumpeter, producer and composer Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist Pedrito Martinez will be on stage at the festival, while Turkey's first female jazz pianist, Nilüfer Verdi , an artist known for her activist side, will be performing "songs for peace" with her trio.

Raül Refree , known for his experimental and modern approach to flamenco, will be performing on numerous stages with Önder Focan & Yavuz Darıdere's "Legendary Hammond Trio ," which combines guitar, Hammond organ, and drums, one of jazz's unique trio formats. Master percussionist Adam Rudolph's "Invisible Threads" project will bring together musicians from diverse geographies.

For its All Night Jazz gathering, the festival will host DJ and producer Jitwam 's DJ set, featuring hip-hop, house, and soul influences. Grup Ses will precede the event. Polish-born band Niechęć will be sharing tracks from their new album with Istanbul audiences for the first time. Multi-instrumentalist Dilan Balkay, a prominent figure in the alternative scene, will give a performance. Drummer Ömercan Şakar , known for his powerful compositions, will perform with Project OM 4.0 at Jazz Clubs Night. The Sinem İslamoğlu Group, which has successfully combined jazz and theater for years, will also be performing at the festival.

Tickets for the 35th Akbank Jazz Festival, which will be even richer with the announcement of new names, are now on sale.

ANNOUNCED PROGRAM

September 27, 2025 , Yeldeğirmeni Art Center

Nilüfer Verdi Trio Playing Tunes for Peace

September 28, 2025 , Yeldeğirmeni Art Center

Refree Presents “El Espacio Entre”

October 1, 2025 , ARTER

Joel Lyssarides & Georgios Prokopiou

October 2, 2025 , Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage

Chief Adjuah

October 3, 2025 , Frankhan

All Night Jazz: Jitwam (DJ Set), Grup Ses (DJ Set)

October 4, 2025 , İKSV Hall

Enji

October 5, 2025 , Bağlarbaşı Cultural Center

Önder Focan & Yavuz Darıdere "Legendary Hammond Trio" and Guests

October 7, 2025 - Jazz Club Night

Dilan Balkay (Bova Stage)

Ömercan Şakar "Project OM 4.0" (Nardis)

Sinem İslamoğlu Group “Neo-Soul Vibes” (Pera 77)

October 8, 2025

RYMDEN (Bugge Wesseltoft, Dan Berglund, Magnus Öström) (Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage)

Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez (Babylon)

Adam Rudolph “Invisible Threads” (ARTER)

October 9, 2025 , İKSV Hall

Jaubi

October 10, 2025

Eliane Elias (Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage)

Kinga Głyk (Frankhan)

October 11, 2025

The Brandee Younger Trio (Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage)

Bohren Und Der Club Of Gore (Borusan Music House)

October 12, 2025 , Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage

Aaron Parks Little Big