Organized by Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) and sponsored by Garanti BBVA, Istanbul Jazz Festival presented Lifetime Achievement Awards with a ceremony that took place in the Austrian Cultural Office on the 2nd of July. Turkish jazz masters Hasan Hürsever and Ömür Göksel received their awards during this evening, which also included a performance by Hasan Hürsever Trio and Balkan Paradise Orchestra.
The award night brought together prominent jazz and contemporary musicians and took place on the 2nd of July in the garden of Austrian Cultural Office. Jazz drummer Hasan Hürsever and “The Vocal King of Turkey” Ömür Göksel received Lifetime Achievement Awards, as well as institutions and foundations which contributed to the festival receiving their appreciation plaques.
The award ceremony, presented by İpek Atcan, included presentations of plaques to TC Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its support of Istanbul Jazz Festival; Istanbul Jazz Festival Automotive Sponsor Volvo Car Turkey; Event Sponsor Anadolu Efes; Vitrin Series Sponsor and Event Sponsor SOCAR Turkey. Garanti BBVA, sponsor of the festival for 22 years, also received their plaque.
Garanti BBVA’s Director of Corporate Brand Management and Marketing Communications Elif Güvenen expressed her opinions as “The 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival is hosting a pleasant award evening once again. As Garanti BBVA, we are happy to have been the main sponsor of the festival for 22 years and walk this path together with IKSV. Many esteemed musicians will perform during this festival this year. Music lovers of Istanbul will fully enjoy jazz. I wish everyone a wonderful festival.”
Hasan Hürsever Trio, consisting of the award-winner Hasan Hürsever and his sons Volkan and Hakan Hürsever, gave a small concert after the award ceremony. Balkan Paradise Orchestra took over for the rest of the evening and performed their original pieces as well as Goran Bregoviç’s beloved music from Pulp Fiction embellished with Balkan melodies.
Harun İzer & Hasan Hürsever (Photo: İKSV)
A legendary drummer: Hasan Hürsever
Jazz drummer Hasan Hürsever was one of the two musicians who received the Lifetime Achievement Award this year during the festival. Hürsever started playing music in his hometown of Mitroviça in Kosovo and came to Turkey through Yugoslavia. His professional career started with his work in the band called “Kuyruklu Yıldızlar”.
Hürsever worked with many musicians such as Atilla Şereftuğ, Özdemir Erdoğan, Ayten Alpman, Ali Kayral, Kayahan, Ümit Aksu, Esin Engin and Ayhan Yünkuş. He joined Istanbul TRT Light Music and Jazz Orchestra, founded by Süheyl Denizci in 1980. He performed at International Pori Jazz Festival in Finland with Fatih Erkoç, Neşet Ruacan and Ergun Eremkar in 1987.
The musician worked with pianist Şevket Uğurluer for many years after retiring from TRT Light Music and Jazz Orchestra. He is currently working with his pianist and double bassist sons Hakan and Volkan Hürsever.
The master of jazz vocal “The Vocal King of Turkey” Ömür Göksel
Another recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award this year was “The Vocal King of Turkey” Ömür Göksel. Göksel gained success and game with his talent to be able to sing songs in different languages and with his expansive repertoire during the 1960s despite his young age. He received many awards for his songs such as “Mutluluk” and “Sevemem Artık” in the 1970s.
He decided to pursue his career overseas in 1979 after receiving many offers to give concerts in Europe and America. He continued his professional music life in Italy, America and Germany. His albums “A Touch of Quality” and “A Touch of Love” received much critical acclaim in the 2000s and continued his work in the following years. The musician, who is actively continuing his career, also gives concerts with TRT Light Music and Jazz Orchestra.
