Ilhan Ersahin presents “Aslan”, the second single from his internationally praised Instanbul Sessions project’s new album

Acclaimed saxophonist and composer Ilhan Ersahin presents “Aslan”, the second single from his internationally praised Instanbul Sessions project’s new album “Instanbul Sessions Bir Zamanlar Simdi”.

Founder of Nublu Records and the renowned East Village nightclub of the same name, Ersahin again brings together the sounds of east and west to produce something new and vital, further perfecting a style first introduced with Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions with Erik Truffaz.

Now recording as a quartet, Istanbul Sessions’ “Bir Zamanlar Simdi” combines Ersahin’s free-form avant-jazz riffs skillfully and seamlessly with the exotically flavored grooves conjured by Istanbul bassist Alp Ersonmez, drummer Turgut Alp Bekoglu, and percussionist Izzet Kizil to dazzling effect.

Watch the video to Ilhan Ersahin Instanbul Sessions new song “Aslan”, the second single from his forthcoming new album “Instanbul Sessions Bir Zamanlar Simdi”:

In 1998, Ilhan formed Wax Poetic, inspired by bands like Massive Attack and Portishead. This new and innovative project incorporated spoken word, a DJ, and electronic elements, while simultaneously building upon Ersahin’s jazz instincts and included a young Norah Jones on vocals.

Ersahin’s renowned club, Nublu has become a Mecca in its own right, attracting musicians who have recorded and toured with the likes of Herbie Hancock, David Byrne, Sun Ra, Beck, John Zorn, and Tom Waits. It has spawned its own record label, and multiple projects, such as Love Trio, Nublu Orchestra (conducted by Butch Morris), I Led 3 Lives and Our Theory. The late-night impromptu jam sessions and various projects that have emerged from the small club on Avenue C have come to be known as the “Nublu Sound”, a sound very much intertwined with the goals Ersahin has been pursuing throughout his career. Projects overseas such as Ersahin’s Wonderland, Afternoon in Rio and the Nublu Jazz Festival in Sao Paolo, Istanbul, and New York only serve to cement Ersahin’s reputation as an innovator and pioneer in so many corners of the globe.

Listen below to Ilhan Ersahin Instanbul Sessions new song “Aslan”, the second single from his forthcoming new album “Instanbul Sessions Bir Zamanlar Simdi”: