Korhan Futacı “İstanbul Junction” at Paribu Art on June 18
Korhan Futacı, one of the most prolific and distinctive figures of the Istanbul music scene, is preparing to take the stage with a new international collective project, an extension of his artistic practice based in London. Curated by Futacı, this special ensemble brings together leading names from the improvisation and contemporary music scenes of Türkiye and the United Kingdom on the same stage.
The lineup features legendary British drummer Mark Sanders and improvisation pioneer Özün Usta on drums; innovative percussionist Berke Can Özcan; baritone saxophonist Barış Ertürk; UK experimental music figure Alan Wilkinson on bass clarinet and clarinet; master bassist John Edwards; acclaimed contemporary jazz pianist Alexander Hawkins; and one of Turkey’s leading jazz trumpeters İmer Demirer.
The project aims to transform Istanbul’s multilayered and chaotic spirit into a musical language by bringing together musicians from Türkiye and the UK within a shared improvisational space. The limitless freedom of improvisation merges with the melodic memory of Anatolia, offering the audience a dynamic, intense, and forward-looking concert experience. This encounter stands as a unique artistic statement seeking to strengthen Istanbul’s position on the international music map.
The performance is further enriched by improvisational contributions from dancers brought together by Çıplak Ayaklar Kumpanyası. Rather than a pre-defined structure, the stage is shaped by spontaneous encounters, intuitive responses, and a shared flow between performers. With body and sound co-producing in real time, the stage transforms into a living and evolving improvisational field. Dance functions not merely as a visual counterpart to music, but as an independent and decisive layer of the creative process.
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