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Exiled Turkish Kurd musician set to play in Bristol
A master musician in exile will soon be taking to the stage in his new home city.
Turkish Kurd singer and musician Özcan Ates, now based in Bristol, will be performing on Friday as part of the Great Global Sounds series.
Ates is a gifted player of the bağlama, a long-necked lute used traditionally in Ottoman classical and Turkish folk music, and now adopted by a new generation. He follows in the footsteps of celebrated artists such as fretless guitar pioneer Erkan Oğur and folk poet Âşık Veysel.
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Ates appeared with the Dovetail Orchestra at Bristol Refugee Festival’s big community celebration on Queen Square – photo: Colin Rayner
The gig takes place at the Cotham Club, located within the Grade II* listed Cotham Parish Church at the top of St Michael’s Hill.
The monthly live global music club was set up in April 2022 to showcase some of the diverse and brilliant musicians from Bristol and beyond, while building community through music.
Ates is a member of the Dovetail Orchestra, a collective of refugees and asylum-seekers playing and celebrating music from different cultural backgrounds.
He will be supported by acclaimed Bristol-based duo Eastern Strings, made up of Daphna Sadeh on double bass and Knud Stüwe on the oud, alongside violinist Jenny Glester and master percussionist Chas Whitaker.
The Dovetail Orchestra, spearheaded by Jon James, showcases music from round the world including Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Turkey – photo: The Dovetail Orchestra
The ensemble will deliver high quality classical precision, world music energy and characterful jazz improvisation, presenting a a tapestry of musical cultures from across the Middle East to get people up and dancing.
Cotham Club chair, Alice Chapman, said: “Last May, Eastern Strings brought Cotham Club’s audience to their feet. We are so excited to be bringing them back with Jenny Glester, Chas Whitaker and, in particular, the very special Özcan Ates.
“This is going to be high quality music at very reasonable prices and suitable for everyone. Where else in the city do you get people of all ages and all postcodes dancing together?”
Find out more and buy tickets at cothamparishchurch.org/cotham-club
Main photo: Colin Rayner
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