Oktay Üst: Folk Songs of the Black Sea and Turkish Anatolia

For the first time in Cambridge, Oktay Üst brings the music of the Black Sea and Turkish Anatolia to an intimate live concert.
About this Event

For the first time in Cambridge, acclaimed singer, multi-instrumentalist and culture bearer Oktay Üst presents music of the Black Sea and Turkish Anatolia in an intimate live concert. A native Laz speaker and one of the rare contemporary musicians carrying Black Sea musical traditions to international stages, Oktay’s powerful voice and distinctive repertoire move between Laz, Turkish and other Anatolian traditions, expressing the joys, sorrows, memories and struggles of the communities and landscapes from which these songs come. Founder of the iconic Black Sea group Karmate, Oktay has performed across Turkey and Europe and has been featured by multiple national media outlets.

This performance will explore the deep connection between music and place, from exuberant dances and communal celebrations to songs of separation, hardship and homesickness. Oktay will be joined by talented Turkish musicians based in the UK, creating an evening of traditional instruments, memorable singing and living musical traditions carried across borders.