Hosted by the Vortex Jazz Club in collaboration with the Local & Live in Hackney project, proudly supported by Hackney Council.
 

 
Join us for an unforgettable evening of Anatolian Alevi music, presented by Local & Live in Hackney in collaboration with Vortex Jazz Club and proudly supported by Hackney Council. Experience the rich musical heritage of Anatolia through the soulful sounds of the bağlama, kabak kemane, and traditional Alevi deyişler, performed by three outstanding musicians.
 
UMUT ÖZKAN
A highly accomplished Alevi musician from Ankara, Umut Özkan was born into a family with deep roots in Hacı Bektaş, the spiritual heartland of the Bektashi order. Trained from an early age in Alevi musical traditions, he has performed as a zakir in numerous Cem ceremonies and is renowned for his expertise in semah music—a sacred form of Alevi spiritual expression. A graduate of Gazi University and a former collaborator with esteemed artists like Erdal Erzincan and Erdal Tuğcular, he has worked extensively as a session musician and theatre artist. Since moving to the UK in 2019, he has been teaching bağlama and traditional Anatolian music.
 
UMUT EKİZ
Born and raised in Ankara, Umut Ekiz was inspired by the rich folk traditions of his homeland. His journey into music began under the mentorship of İhsan Öztürk, leading him to study at Ege University State Conservatory of Turkish Music. Specialising in bağlama and kabak kemane, he has performed extensively in Turkey and the UK, collaborating with local and international artists while preserving and promoting Anatolian folk music.
 
DURSUN CAN ÇAKIN
Originally from Boğazören, Sivas, and born in Adana, Dursun Can Çakın moved to London at a young age, where he was immersed in Alevi and Kurdish folk music through his family’s cherished cassette tapes. Encouraged by his father, he started playing the bağlama at the age of eight, later receiving advanced training in şelpe techniques. He has been a key figure in the London folk music scene, performing in major concerts, collaborating on various projects, and teaching bağlama at the British Alevi Federation (BAF).
 
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the deep, spiritual, and evocative sounds of Anatolian Alevi music in the heart of Hackney.
 
Secure your tickets now and immerse yourself in a mesmerising evening of tradition, culture, and music.