33rd Istanbul Jazz Festival opens with global stars

The 33rd Istanbul Jazz Festival opened its 14-day program Tuesday in Istanbul with Grammy-winning bassist Marcus Miller headlining the inaugural concert, while Turkish jazz vocalist Senem Diyici received the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award during ceremonies launching nearly 200 international performances scheduled across the city through July 13.

Festival longevity and institutional backing

Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) and sponsored by Garanti BBVA, the festival will present approximately 30 concerts alongside events exploring jazz's influence across musical genres. Harun Izer, who directs the festival, told Anadolu Agency that maintaining the event for three decades has created lasting value for participants. “Reaching our 33rd edition is a wonderful feeling,” he said. “The continuity of festivals like this is a great benefit for everyone involved—from artists and organizers to audiences.”

Global lineup and cross-cultural sounds

This year's roster features artists from North and South America, Europe and Asia, reflecting what Izer noted as the festival's increasingly international character. Legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, US soul band Thee Sacred Souls and Pakistani-American singer-songwriter Arooj Aftab — whose work blends Sufi traditions with jazz improvisation — join Miller in headlining the program. Performances will unfold at venues ranging from historic sites and open-air theaters to parks scattered throughout Türkiye's largest city.

Alternative venues and culinary programming

Beyond conventional stages, the festival offers signature experiences including Jazz in the Parks, which presents free outdoor performances, and the Jazz Ferry, where musicians play aboard a vessel navigating the Bosphorus Strait. The Night Out series will activate multiple venues in Istanbul's Kadikoy district, while a new initiative called Jazz Flavors will combine live performances with menus curated from artists' favorite recipes. Tickets remain available through the platform Passo, with additional details posted at caz.iksv.org/en.