Nardi’ Jazz Club – Bereketzade Mh, Galata Kulesi Sk. No:8, 34421 Beyoglu/Istanbul,
Friday, May 13, 2022 – Erdem Özkan Band
It was a case of we couldn’t not go to Nardi’s. Michael comes here every time on his regular visits Istanbul. Tickets were purchased online before our trip, the night chosen to avoid any clashes with major football matches. The act was very much the last consideration, pot luck.
As recommended, we arrived early to get a good table. The front corner of the balcony was fine.
Bier-wise, nothing different from the usual fayre in Türkiye. Marg had Pasta for dinner, which although a small portion, was satisfying.
Erdem was featuring songs from his latest album – Get Around. The set was interspersed with a few – standards. Musically, an entertaining evening, though Marg did question why every member of the band had to have a solo on every composition.
It’s the arrangement they’re following – I explained.
Indeed, I’ve never see a Jazz Pianist actually read a musical score before.
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I still find the American influenced practice of applauding the end of every solo to be tiresome, especially when it’s the fifth in one song. It doesn’t happen during a symphony. I do like the request for silence which of course does not preclude the interim applause. Why do people go to see live acts and chat all the way through?
I am unable to list the band members with any degree of accuracy. The horn player was definitely the star.
