BIO
Esat Ekincioglu (Istanbul, 1990) is a Turkish/Dutch bass player, improviser, composer and manager based in Groningen, the Netherlands. A versatile and in-demand bass player, Esat spends much of the year on the road, playing throughout Europe, the Near East and China. Notable concerts include Jazzahead Showcase 2023, ZomerJazzFietsTour, Shanghai World Music Festival, Bimhuis, Rockit Festival, Jazzfestival Saalfelden, Cully Jazz Festival, Babel Sound Festival, Jazz in Duketown, Nisville Jazz Festival, and many more.
Apart from his successful bands KUHN FU and AVA Trio – running over 10 years, Esat likes to play solo and in duos where he explores unknown areas of double bass playing, improvisation and microtonal music.
As an active manager and booker, Esat is running his own Chilli Chilli Agency – for spicy music. Check the website for roster and bookings. New additions include cult Turkish saxophonist Korhan Futaci, Bushman’s Revenge, Bab L’ Bluz. Chilli Chilli Agency
Esat uses Vanderkley Amplifiers and 050 Rosins.
BANDS
Turkish Pumpkin improvises Near-Eastern wedding and funeral music. The band conjures trances and chants about lovers, heroes; in grief and joy. The band premiered at No Musician’s Land Exhibition by Marina Abrahamovic Institue 2020 and Zomer Jazz Fiets Tour 2020. In May 2021, the band extended to quintet, presented Esat’s VNJJ Week van de Jazz Composition Commission.
with Koen Boeinga (woodwinds) Mees Siderius (drums) Giuseppe Doronzo (woodwinds)
KUHN FU (formed in 2012) is dedicated to Christian Kuhn’s strange take on composition and improvisation. Songs can shift direction many times within a short section and without noticing you are in a digging voodoo groove that lasts forever. The band has performed over 350 shows in 24 countries, in many of the leading venues and festivals in Europe. The band is celebrating their 10th year with a double album, to be released in October 2022.
with Christian Kühn (guitar) Ziv Taubenfeld (bassclarinet) George Hadow (drums) John Dikeman (tenorsax) Sofia Salvo (barisax) and Tobias Delius (clarinet, sax)
Founded in 2015 in Groningen, the Netherlands, AVA Trio navigating through rich and diverse sonic surroundings of the Mediterranean, under the erudite and virtuosic guidance of Doronzo, Ekincioglu, and Basile . Their destinations need no justification; their music is timeless. With two critically acclaimed albums, AVA Trio continues touring extensively across Europe and China.
with Giuseppe Doronzo (woodwinds) Pino Basile (percussions) and Ezgi Elkırmış (percussions)
Korhan Futacı, born in 1977, is a versatile artist based in Istanbul. Renowned for his proficiency as a saxophonist, composer, producer, singer, and songwriter, he has become a prominent figure in Turkey’s alternative music scene.
Futacı’s solo project is a fusion of traditional Turkish music and free-improvised music, delicately intertwined with the essence of Anatolia. Through his compositions, he endeavors to transform the bustling chaos of Istanbul into an immersive and ritualistic experience, characterized by energetic atmospheres, dark undertones, and abstract textures.
For bookings write to me at: chillichilliagency@gmail.com
Korhan Futacı (alto sax & vocals) Barış Ertürk (baritone sax) Esat Ekincioğlu (Double Bass) Erdem Göymen (drums)
Representing the cutting edge of Istanbul’s vibrant improvisational music scene, this brand new trio tells stories of humanity, spirituality and community. Through the tension of jazz experimentation and contemporary improvisation, they question routine, carving out silence from chaos.
with Özün Usta (drums) Ali Onur Olgun (sax)
Esat loves playing in duo settings. Two musicians really get to know each other through intimate explorations. Recent collaborations include amazing musicians from across the world : Tomchess (USA) | Berke Can Özcan (TR) | Steven Kamperman (NL) | Sanem Kalfa (TR/NL) | Yanna Pelser (NL) | Anahita Malakooti (IR) | Aleksandar Skoric (SRB) | Fatime Songoro (HU) | Marena Whitcher (CH) | Lennart Smidt (DE) | Toms Mikals (LT)
VIDEOS
DISCOGRAPHY
DATES
16 | 01 | 26 AVA Trio Antoniushof – Wiesenbach, DE
17 | 01 | 26 AVA Trio Jazzkeller Sauschdal – Ulm, DE
16 | 01 | 26 AVA Trio Muddy’s – Weinheim, DE
20 | 01 | 26 Bart Wirtz Quintet Leidse Jazzweek Leiden, NL
30 | 01 | 26 KUHN FU Rabbit Hole Theater – Essen, DE
31 | 01 | 26 KUHN FU Jazzmission – Schwäbisch Gmünd, DE
03 | 02 | 26 KUHN FU Porgy&Bess – Vienna, AT
04 | 02 | 26 KUHN FU Opus Jazz Club – Budapest, HU
05 | 02 | 26 KUHN FU Petz Sörözö – Szekesfehervar, HU
06 | 02 | 26 KUHN FU Teatro Miela – Trieste, IT
07 | 02 | 26 KUHN FU Stockwerk – Graz, AT
27 | 02 | 26 KUHN FU Jazz & Kunst im Kalk – Limburg, DE
28 | 02 | 26 KUHN FU Kinett – Kusel, DE
01 | 03 | 25 Steven Kamperman’s Prins Achmed Grounds –Rotterdam, NL
20 | 03 | 25 Korhan Futacı Jazzclub Tonne – Dresden, DE
21 | 03 | 25 Korhan Futacı Burghausen Jazz Festival – Burghausen, DE
26 | 03 | 26 AVA Trio feat. Bart Maris JazzJantar Festival – Gdansk, PL
27 | 03 | 26 AVA Trio feat. Bart Maris Italian Institute – Krakow, PL
29 | 03 | 26 AVA Trio feat. Bart Maris KAAP – Oostende, BE
31 | 03 | 26 KUHN FU Theaterhaus Jazztage Festival – Stuttgart, DE
01 | 04 | 26 KUHN FU Fstop – Eskişehir, TR
01 | 04 | 26 KUHN FU – Ankara, TR
05 | 04 | 26 KUHN FU Paribu – İstanbul, TR
08 | 04 | 26 KUHN FU – Antalya, TR
01 | 04 | 26 KUHN FU Fstop – Eskişehir, TR
12 | 04 | 26 AVA Trio feat. Eric Vloeimans Jazz in Feerwerd – Groningen, NL
01 | 05 | 26 AVA Trio WhiteCube – Hamburg, DE
02 | 05 | 26 AVA Trio Wendlandjazz – Gedelitz, DE
26 | 05 | 26 Korhan Futacı Moods – Zurich, CH