Exciting new ensemble which blends classical and jazz styles with traditional Turkish sounds

New to Norwich, with their first performance at Anteros Arts in Fye Bridge Street, this multi-national ensemble was founded by Firdevs Eke in Ghent in Belgium in 2005 as a flexible group to present compositions and arrangements that combine different musical influences from her Eastern/Turkish roots with classical music, jazz and flamenco in fresh ways.

Its current formation is a trio which includes jazz saxophonist Sam Lewis, originally from Norwich but trained in Manchester. His influences span from the 1950s jazz era, through the last 60 years of popular music and across to India where he studied Indian Classical Music. He has been involved with a number of interesting projects such as nu-jazz quartet Emu, Indian jazz fusion band Rangeela, Hans Prya, a genre-hopping 12-piece band put together by members of Snarky Puppy and also internationally renowned UK Hip-Hop band The Mouse Outfit with whom he has toured extensively across the UK and Europe.

Ivars Galenieks, a venturesome double bass player, who started his musical career as a classical bassist in Latvia where he worked at the State Operetta Theater in Riga and the Latvian State Symphony Orchestra. He was regularly invited to perform at jazz festivals in the Soviet Union with a variety of internationally known artists such as saxophonist Frank Foster, pianist Julian Joseph, organist Barbara Dannerlein, to name a few.  In the UK,  Ivars performed with Tom Harris trio, Phil Brooke and Simon Brown. Has been involved in activities of Norwich Jazz Club and Dereham Jazz Society sharing stage with renowned artists such as Peter King, Simon Spillett and Julian Siegl. At present, Ivars is the principal bassist of the Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra.

Firdevs Eke is a striking composer and pianist who is based in Norwich. She was born in Istanbul and grew up in Seville, Spain. Strongly influenced by the folkloric traditions of both these cultures, Firdevs developed a distinctive style based on her classical training. She gained a Professional Diploma in Piano in Seville, and a Master in Arts (Composition) with Distinction from the Conservatory of Ghent. She performs as a solo pianist and in various chamber music formats and has developed a comprehensive repertoire including her own compositions. In Norwich, Firdevs teaches piano and composition and writes for different instrumental settings and performs her compositions.

Tuesday 23 July, 7.30pm
Anteros Arts Foundation
11–15 Fye Bridge Street
Norwich NR3 1LJ
Tickets: £8.50/£6 concs advance via www.buhara.eventbrite.co.uk
or £10/£6 on the door