Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West, Toronto | 416-588-0307
Doors 6:30 pm / Music 7:30 pm
Turkish Canadian singer-songwriter Zeynep Ozbilen once again pushes the world-music envelope with her sophomore album ZEST.
Zeynep Ozbilen uncommon fusion of sounds and rhythms sourced from the melting pot of North American, Latin American, Judeo Sephardic, Turkish and original melodies, mixed with Anatolian, North African, Cuban, Balkan and North American Indigenous rhythms, are all performed in a world-jazz vein.
Notable musicians on the album including Jane Bunnett, Mike Murley, Ernie Tollar, Jeremy Ledbetter, David Restivo, and Marito Marques will join Zeynep performing with her 5-piece band at Toronto’s Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West, on Wednesday, May 10 at 7:30 pm. Doors are open at 6:30 pm.
Tickets: $20 https://www.bemusednetwork.com/events/detail/364
Dinner reservations guarantee seating. Call 416 588 0307 to reserve your table.
For more info please visit www.zeynepozbilen.com or www.lula.ca
Zeynep began her musical career as a singer at the age of 12 in Istanbul, playing the role of Annie, then on to the role of Maria in Sound of Music at age 17. After extensive study in classical singing and percussion, as well as performing Latin music with her band back in Turkey, she settled in Toronto, Canada and is now free to further her music career, fueled by her passionate work as an advocate for women’s human rights issues.
Many of the compositions on Zeynep’s new album ZEST are a reinvention of traditional Turkish songs from the past two centuries, with modern Turkish jazz sensibilities. One exception is her original composition “Papa Don’t Give Me Away,” in which she broaches the politically-charged subject of the historical and current practice of child marriages and abuse of women, in her homeland and in various cultures around the world. The song, written as a desperate plea by children to their elders, showcases a superb string quartet and features the great percussionist Chendy Leon and Turkish clarinet player Hüsnü Şenlendirici.
At times Zest hearkens back to ancient Turkish culture and song, as in the well-known Latin American song “Amapola” arranged and played in 11/8 Turkish rhythm and features Mike Murley on tenor sax. Zeynep also loves Canada deeply, and delves into Indigenous sounds to enhance the music on Zest. The early 20th century Turkish song “Zeynebim” features beautiful ney and wind instruments by Ernie Tollar and with Turkish spiritual, though Indigenous-styled, rich vocal rhythms by producer, arranger and musician on the album, Jeremy Ledbetter.
The track “In the North” is a stunning original piece written by Zeynep, blending Turkish, Canadian and Aboriginal influences. It reflects and celebrates Zeynep’s experience with freedom, equality, and tolerance that she enjoys as a Canadian. With strong and proud lyrics, haunting vocals, percussion (Turkish Asma Davul, Turkish Bendir amongst other more Aboriginal percussive sounds all from Chendy Leon), and Tollar’s delightful, flighty whistle melodies lending a Celtic flavour, it could definitely be earmarked as Canada’s 150th anniversary anthem.
“Ay Dos Anyos” – a traditional Ladino – Judeo Sephardic song dating back to 15th century Spain – highlights Zeynep’s lush, dark vocals over five-time JUNO-winner Jane Bunnett‘s alto flute. Another tune of the same ilk is “Los Bilbilcos Cantan” but it has a more uptempo beat and once again utilizes the string quartet beautifully, with plucky violins playing off the incredible rhythm section of Marito Marques on drums and Chendy Leon on percussion.
Zeynep is thrilled about her new life in Canada saying, “Here, I am enjoying human rights such as tolerance, respect, equality, multiculturalism, and balance. The vast land of Canada gives me the feeling of eternity, endlessness, abundance, renewal, tranquility, and serenity. The songs on this album Zest, really demonstrate the many experiences that have led me to a much different life. Creating this album here in Canada has given me the opportunity to work with many different cultures, while still keeping a strong relationship to my artistic centre of gravity. I am grateful to be able to communicate my passion through music and to be able to share my musical stories with new audiences across Canada.”
Musicians on the album:
Jeremy Ledbetter – Piano, Fender Rhodes, Guitar, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Dave Restivo – Piano track 8
Roberto Riveron – Bass
George Koller – Bass track 3
Marito Marques – Drums, Percussion
Amhed Mitchel – Drums tracks 6|8
Chendy Leon – Percussion
Luisito Orbegoso – Percussion tracks 3|6|8
Zeynep Arabacioglu Ozbilen – lead vocals
Guest Musicians:
Jane Bunnett – Alto Flute track 3
Chris Butcher – Trombone track 8
Ali Tolga Demirtaş – Piano track 7
Aleksandar Gajic – Violin track 5
Mike Murley – Tenor Sax track 6
Hüsnü Şenlendirici – Clarinet tracks 4|10
Ernie Tollar – Ney and winds tracks 1|9
String Quartet:
Aleksandar Gajic – Violin
Aysel Taghi-Zada – Violin
Vedran Curic – Viola
Jonathan Tortolano – Cello