Jazz Appreciation Month in Montenegro – JAM 2026

“BAKI DUYARLAR TRIO” will perform on April 14th at 8:00 PM in the Main Hall of KIC “Budo Tomović.”

The Turkish jazz trio, led by renowned pianist and composer Baki Duyarlar, will make their premiere appearance as part of JAM 2026. The concert is sponsored by the Turkish Cultural Center “Junus Emre” in Podgorica.

In the project “Jazz Ark,” pianist and composer Baki Duyarlar combines traditional Turkish forms and makam, inherited from a rich seven-generation family tradition of musicians, with contemporary jazz expression, giving the music of ancient civilizations a fresh, modern approach.

The unique trio includes Baki Duyarlar (piano), Umut Sel (double bass), and Mehmet Akataj (percussion). Their goal is to unite the serenity of Turkish classical music, the breadth of European musical expression, and the warmth of the Mediterranean spirit into a single cohesive experience.

About Baki Duyarlar:

• Assistant Professor in the World Music Department, a joint program of the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music and the Rotterdam Arts Education Foundation
• Co-founder of the Jazz Academy at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, where he continues to teach
• Collaborated with prominent jazz artists such as Randy Brecker, Justin Vasquez, Dick de Graaf, Kai Eckhardt, Janek Gwizdala, Erkan Ogur, Bulent Ortacil, Cem Aksel, Derja Turkan, and Sibel Kose
• Performed at international festivals including Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Istanbul Jazz Festival (Turkey), Almaty Jazz Festival (Kazakhstan), and Dushanbe Ethnic Music Festival (Tajikistan)
• Released six albums, each exploring a different musical expression

Learn more:

• Artist Webpage
• Album “Jazz Ark” on Spotify
• Interview on “Jazz Ark” Project

Admission is free. Come and experience jazz – we’re waiting for you!