Kamil Erdem Quartet
Turkish jazz cross-over (2007-2011)
Quartet initiated by Erdem and Lotz in a crossover in Jazz and Turkish traditions.
The path from the Balkan to the Middle East crosses many borders. Despite the geographical distance the music is closely connected: Ottomanian, Byzantinian and Anatolian roots, Balkan beats and Oriental scales form already for centuries an amalgam of related traditions.
In the steaming metropole of Istanbul musicians like Kamil Erdem and Fathi Ahiskali connect these old traditions with contemporary influences. Together with multi-flutist Mark Alban Lotz and Scottish Rhythm and Sound wizard Alan ‘Gunga’ Purves they form an exciting quartet balancing between tradition and trends, composition and improvisation, east and west.
“Bit by bit this piece of work is growing into a rock of intruiging actual music. Who knows maybe even ‘the’ jazz of the twenty first century.” (Mazzmuzikas, Belgium)
Performances
Spinning wheels in Holland and Turkey with performances a.o. at the Ankara Jazzfestival, International Music Festival Ankara, ISKV & Nardis Istanbul, Tropen Institute, Amsterdam etc.
Line up
Kamil Erdem (Turkey) bass
Mark Alban Lotz (Germany) family of flutes, Indian bansuri
Fatih Ahiskali (Turkey) oud
Alan ‘Gunga’ Purves (Schotland) percussion, gongs, toys, etc
as guests with
with Turkish harpist Meric Donük and Bulgarian drummer Ediz Hafizoglu.
