İlhan Erşahin

Ilhan Erşahin is a saxophonist, record producer and composer of Turkish origin, born in Sweden and living in New York. He owns the New York jazz club Nublu and his own record label under the same name [http://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=10752036825167 Splendid magazine] ] .

His "Wonderland", recorded in İstanbul and New York comes forward as the vigilant reflection and expression of ties with Istanbul and his interest in Turkish music. A magical togetherness is evoked through the collaboration of musicians from Turkey and from New York. The former Anatolian-jazz collective Laço Tayfa's renowned clarinetist Hüsnü Şenlendirici, percussionist Mehmet Akatay and quanun-player Nuri Lekesizgöz along with the unconventional voices of new generation Istanbul vocalists like Nil Karaibrahimgil, Bora and the 14 year old Dilara are featured on the album as well as Erşahin's long-time accomplices, Matt Pennman on bass, Jochen Reuckert on drums and Danish guitarist/computerized FX-loops-samples wrangler Thor Madsen and bassist. The sweet yet strong blend of jazz with a brand new flowing, melodic oriental music in a digital milieu outcomes as universal, futuristic and elegant. Wonderland traveled through Turkey and Europe for Berlin Jazz Festival, Cologne Stadtgarten, and Kopenhagen Bimhuis.

Erşahin's primary initiative is Nublu in New York City where his artistic prowess finally breathes. Nublu is an unmarked live music venue which became the locus of a downtown music scene; part jazz, part world, part rare groove. Initially Nublu local draw , Erşahin's own collective Wax Poetic (born out of stumbling jams of urban electronica, acid-jazz, dub funk and Middle Eastern melodies with performers including Norah Jones, N'Dea Davenport, U-Roy, Saul Williams) grew into a worldwide sensation.

Ersahin formerly directed the jam sessions for three consecutive years atthe International Akbank Jazz Festival in Istanbul and has triumphantlytraded riffs with Sam Rivers, James Carter, Craig Harris and John Zorn.

Discography

* Wax Poetic - Brazil (Nublu Records 2006)
* Wax Poetic - Istambul (Nublu Records 2006)
* Wax Poetic - Copenhagen (Nublu Records 2006)
* Love Trio - Love Trio in Dub feat. U-Roy (Nublu Records 2006)
* İlhan Erşahin - Our Theory feat. Erik Truffaz (Nublu Records 2005)
* Wax Poetic - Nublu Sessions (Ultra Records 2003)
* İlhan Erşahin – Wonderland (Nublu Records 2002) (Doublemoon 2002)
* Love Trio – Love Trio (Nublu Records 2002) (Numoon 2002)
* Nublu – Temple Of Soul Sessions Vol 1&2 (Nublu Records 2002) (Numoon 2002)
* İlhan Erşahin Quartet – Virgo (Doublemoon 2000)
* Wax Poetic – Wax Poetic (Doublemoon 1998) (Atlantic 1999)
* İlhan Erşahin Trio – Home (Doublemoon/Golden Horn 1997)
* İlhan Erşahin Quintet – Our Song (Golden Horn 1997) originally released as “She Said” (Doublemoon 1995)

Projects

* NUBLU : his club and record label
* WAX POETIC : his leading project: former members like Norah Jones, N'dea Davenport, Saul Williams, Marla Turner, Otto, Nil Karaibrahimgil etc.
* LOVE TRIO : with Kenny Wollesen (drums), Jesse Murphy (bass)
* I LED 3 LIVES : with Juini Booth (bass), Juchen Rueckert (drums)
* OUR THEORY : feat. Erik Truffaz
* ISTANBUL SESSIONS : with Tarkan's bass player Alp Ersönmez; Sezen Aksu's drummer Turgut Alp Bekoğlu; and Natacha Atlas's darbuka player, Izzet Kızıl.

References

External links

* [http://www.ilhanersahin.com İlhan Erşahin's official website]
* [http://www.nublu.net Nublu's official website]