“Nevi, a Turkish-Russian collaboration, issues the former duality, demonstrating a more atmospheric approach to modern jazz featuring prominent drumbeats in between frameworks
provided by piano and guitar…

Each member contributes a significant composition to this date, making it a truly collaborative and inspired venture.”

Friedrich Kunzmann from https://www.allaboutjazz.com

Listen here:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/tr/album/istanbul-edition/1502564002
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0ZGcwQnogXnaSZ1NKQf8a2
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/track/901971162

Watch the teaser here:

NEVI – Istanbul Edition

“The band Nevi, meaning ‘variety’, was founded in 2018 and plays music with influences from contemporary jazz, classical and world music. A superb outfit consisting of hugely talented musicians/composers, Nevi offer here a roller-coaster ride of immeasurably enjoyable music. So, strap yourself in and have a good trip!”

David Fishel

www.davidfishel.info
www.liverpooljazzclub.com
www.jazzscene.co.uk

ARTISTS

Andrei Kondakov – piano
Onur Aymergen – guitar
Tolga Bilgin – trumpet
Ozan Musluoğlu – doublebass
Aleksandr Bozhenko – drums

The compositions are written by the band members and the concept of the project is to unite various musical ideas to search for a unique sound.

Tracks 1, 2, 8 composed by Onur Aymergen
Track 3 composed by Ozan Musluoğlu
Track 4 composed by Tolga Bilgin
Tracks 5, 7, 9 composed by Andrei Kondakov
Track 6 composed by Aleksandr Bozhenko
Track 10 composed by Walter Spriggs

Recorded October 2018, by Sinan Sakızlı, Can Aykal and Ceylan Akçar at Hayyam Studios, Istanbul, Turkey
Mixed October 2019 by Tuna Boylu at Studio No 25, Izmir, Turkey

Mastered November 7, 2019 by Emre Yazgın at Re-Chord Studios, Cyprus
Produced by Onur Aymergen
Front cover photo by Kjersti Holst

Andrei Kondakov is an eminent, award-winning Russian pianist, composer and bandleader. A graduate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he has toured the world extensively with his own groups, as well as leading many international projects involving such jazz celebrities as Bobby McFerrin, Eddie Gomez, David Sanchez and Randy Brecker.

Trumpet player Tolga Bilgin graduated from Turkey’s Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory consequently working with the İzmir State Opera and Ballet. He achieved his Masters degree at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Torino during which time he performed with among many others, Eric Reed and Flavio Boltro.

Onur Aymergen began his professional career playing classical guitar, classical Flamenco and later became interested in Rock, Funk and Jazz music. He works in a variety of styles. He recently wrote his thesis on Turkish Maqam Harmony and is currently composing for several jazz-related projects.

Bassist Ozan Muslugolu studied at Bilgi University Music Department from 2000 with full a scholarship attending workshops by Marc Johnson, David Friesen and many others. He toured the world with the renowned band ‘Athena’, In 2011 his second album ’40th Day’ was released with a lineup that included Jeremy Pelt (named trumpet player of the year 5 consecutive times by Downbeat magazine).

Aleksandr Bozhenko first played piano from the age of six and switched to drums a year later, eventually studying at the Rostov College of Arts in Russia. An awardwinning musician, he has collaborated with artists such as Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Martinez and Anatoly Kroll. He has travelled extensively, performing in Italy, USA and China.

ALBUM REVIEWS

“What is clever about the approach that Nevi take to their music is the way in which they combine inspiration from African and Latin America, with broader traditions of American jazz… Of course, what this pen-picture completely misses is the talent that each of the musicians bring to their instruments (which is hugely impressive) and the synergy that the band have in their
playing (which is deeply satisfying). This is one of those sets where everything gels perfectly and where the music that is produced carries with it a timeless vision of jazz as an international music.”

Chris Baber from https://www.jazzviews.net

“Regardless of expression and tempo, it sounds incredibly tight with intense rhythmic sense… It is also funny that the sound quality is so good. Cymbal and bass recordings are sparkling. The rest of the drum set, as well as the trumpet and guitar follow closely, while I would have liked to have even more body in the piano. However, the dynamics are very good, and the various instruments are panned over the sound image with guitar slightly to the left, piano to the right, with bass and trumpet in the middle. The drums extend well to both sides. A great record that you should hear. RES.”

Hi-Fi Magazine STEREOPLUSS from Norway https://www.stereopluss.no

“And here we are dealing with another super-talented band, which knows how to move comfortably in contemporary jazz fields, but incorporating, in a studied, normal and imperceptible way, some world references… Also interesting is the way the compositions alternate in ” Istanbul Edition ” and how, going from the most “bigoted” tracks to the most atmospheric, this unusual feeling-certainty of enjoyment and fullness is created.”

ΦΟΝΤΑΣ ΤΡΟΥΣΑΣ / PHONTAS TROUSSAS
https://diskoryxeion.blogspot.com

“The name Nevi means variety, which is certainly the truth in this quintet’s music as much as its cross-cultural makeup (the players being a mix of Turkish and Russian). Everyone contributes at least one original piece to the set. Though the instrumentation is simple and all acoustic, the sound weaves bits and pieces of things from modern jazz to Mediterranean folk or contemporary classical. This subtly stimulating session was indeed recorded in Istanbul and features exotic Turkish spice something as an ingredient, though no more than smooth Latin dance, sunny uptown funk or tricky rhythms out of Africa.”

GENO THACKARA from https://www.allaboutjazz.com

Please contact Onur Aymergen onuraymergen@gmail.com for interviews and further info
Phone number: +90 5368126578