On Sunday 23 November 2025, internationally acclaimed saxophonist and composer Ilhan Ersahin will bring his renowned project Istanbul Sessions to London for a standout performance as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. The concert will take place at EartH (Theatre), 11–17 Stoke Newington Road, N16 8BH, with doors opening at 5.30pm and live music starting at 6.30pm.
Ersahin is widely recognised as one of the essential figures of New York’s underground music scene. Through his influential club and record label, Nublu, he has carried the city’s distinctive energy to audiences around the world. His musical journey has included jamming with Red Hot Chili Peppers in São Paulo, performing with Bugge Wesseltoft at Blue Note Tokyo, and creating intimate, improvised sets with Roma musicians in some of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls.
Since its formation in 2008, Istanbul Sessions has performed across a vast international landscape, from New York to Istanbul, from Paris to São Paulo, from London to Skopje. Their sound is often described as cinematic. It pushes the boundaries of jazz while carrying the energy of a rock band and expressing a genuine East to West musical connection. The project blends top level musicianship with a bold and eclectic artistic vision.
Ilhan Ersahin shared his excitement ahead of the London concert:
"I am really looking forward to coming to London and rocking for you. We are bringing real New York City energy, with the vibes of my clubs Nublu and Studio 151, mixed with my Istanbul band Istanbul Sessions. Although we live in different cities, we meet up a few times a year and always have a great time playing together. The energy in Istanbul is similar to NYC because it is not quite European. Improvising in London is always a pleasure. We are coming excited and ready to jazz it out for you all. Thank you."
For this performance, Ersahin will be joined by Alp Ersonmez on bass, Turgut Alp Bekoglu on drums and Izzet Kızıl on percussion. This line up is known for delivering electrifying performances built on improvisation, rhythmic drive and deep musical chemistry.
The evening will open with a set by Zag Erlat, the Istanbul born and London based producer, DJ and record collector behind the widely followed YouTube channel My Analog Journal (MAJ). Since launching the platform in 2017, Erlat has attracted a significant global audience with vinyl only mixes that explore genres, cultures and eras. MAJ began with a focus on Turkish psychedelic rock from the 1970s and has since grown into a rich and diverse musical archive.
This special night brings together two unique musical worlds: the powerful, boundary pushing sound of Istanbul Sessions and the analogue driven, globally inspired selections of My Analog Journal.
Tickets are available at: https://dice.fm/event/dkx2rq-ilhan-ersahins-istanbul-sessions-23rd-nov-earth-london-tickets