Istanbul Swing Cats

REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL CONCERT ISTANBUL SWING CATS Batu Şallıel, alto saxophone | Çağdaş Oruç, tenor saxophone | Burak Dursun, trombone | Kaan Karadavut, trumpet | Ömer Ardos, drums | Umut İçigen, guitar | Yusuf Cebe, piano | Barış Öztürk, bass | Duygu Tarhan, vocals | Erdem Özkan, vocals The Istanbul Swing Cats jazz orchestra will perform at the Yeldeğirmeni Arts Center for the Republic Day concert. This vibrant ensemble, comprised of ten musicians, features vocalists Erdem Özkan and Duygu Tarhan, who are among the leading voices in Turkish jazz. The group's founder, saxophonist Batu Şallıel, began his musical journey at the age of nine, guided by his father, Mümin Şallıel, a jazz saxophonist. At the age of 15, he began his professional career, performing in numerous cities across Turkey and at international jazz festivals. In 2014, he won the Grand Prix and the award for Best Jazz Improvisation at the Riga International Jazz Stage Competition. That same year, he performed at the Stockholm Fashing Jazz Club and the Riga Saxophonia Festival. In 2018, he worked with musicians such as Miguel Zenon and Ben Wendel at the Siena Jazz Workshop. In 2021, his first album, "The Way," was released, followed by his EP, "Batu Şallıel and His Orchestra," in 2024. In addition to his concerts, the artist also provides saxophone and ensemble instruction at the Istanbul University State Conservatory, Department of Jazz.