BAU Commemorates Ahmet Ertegün

 

Speaking at the event held at the Ambassador's Residence, Ambassador to Washington Namık Tan stated that they were proud to host such an event. Tan also thanked Bahçeşehir University and its Chair of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel for their support.

 

Bahçeşehir University Chair of the Board of Trustees Enver Yücel stated that it was an honor to be part of such an important evening, saying: "This is a very honorable evening for me, for many reasons. We are together at what I believe is one of the last concerts before our esteemed Ambassador returns to Türkiye. And most importantly, we are here for a program in the Ahmet Ertegün Jazz series. On behalf of Bahçeşehir University, I greet you all with respect and affection. I know you are all here tonight for this musical performance. I would like to ask a promise of all of you. I have just heard that this is the 99th year. In the 100th year, let us all be here together for the Ahmet Ertegün Jazz series. As Bahçeşehir University Art, I am taking this on."

 

Noting that they blend music from Anatolian culture with jazz, Yücel said: "Tonight will be a different experience. It is not just jazz. We will listen to a combination of freedom and independence with music from Anatolian culture; we will listen to its harmony. As a university, we have done good work in science, technology and research. We are also striving to do something in the arts, and in the last 5 years we have done good work in the arts. We chose Turkish folk music, Turkish classical music and, as universal music, jazz. Why jazz? Every institution has its own priorities, and so does our university. We want to be free. We want to be independent. We want to support the struggle for existence. We do not want to discriminate on the basis of language, religion or race. And we embraced jazz, which defines this. When you look at jazz, it has always found a place for itself everywhere in the world. Jazz did not become alienated. It said, 'I exist.' It said, 'I am human too.' And it wanted to be independent. To me, this is jazz. Tonight we will listen to this cry and the harmony of the sympathy of Turkish Anatolian music. And you will be hearing such jazz for the first time. At one point we called this the harmony of Turkish jazz and Turkish music. And this will continue from now on. Now I would like to say once again that our esteemed Ambassador started this in memory of Ahmet Ertegün. I humbly offer you my congratulations. Under your hospitality, we will once again have, and are having, a wonderful evening. I also congratulate and thank Ms. Aslıhan, Bahçeşehir University's art director. I congratulate the musicians."

 

The jazz group "East in Jazz Project," which took the stage that night, ensured that the audience had a pleasant time throughout the evening.