Kudsi Erguner, from a Turkish family of musicians, lives and works in Paris as a performer (on the ney, a reed flute), composer, musicologist, teacher, writer and translator. His father taught him many things about the ancient tradition of Turkish classical music. But he also studied the music of India and Pakistan, played together with musicians from all over the world and only two years ago could be seen performing with Trilok Gurtu at Cross-linx. He is a world musician through and through. On his CD Islam Blues he built a bridge between Eastern mysticism and Western jazz music. It is a fascinating encounter between two cultures, of which Kudsi Erguner himself is the embodiment.

Kudsi Erguner comes from a family of ney players, rooted in the Mevlevi Sufi tradition of his homeland. With his ensemble he performs classical Ottoman compositions on ney (reed flute), ud (lute), kanun (zyther) and def (frame drum). These are interspersed with sparkling vocal improvisations by the singer, albeit always within the strict rules of the traditional makam.

Kudsi Erguner & Ensemble: Yunus Balcioglu, vocals - Kudsi Erguner, ney - Hakan Güngör, kanun -
Mehmet Bitmez, ud - Derya Türkan, kemençe - Bruno Caillat, percussion