BUMC Jazz Choir: The first a cappella jazz choir in Turkey!

BUMC Jazz Choir is a Bogazici University Music Club formation, initiated in 1994. The aim of the group is to interpret jazz standards with choral arrangements and to promote polyphonic vocal music. Being the first Turkish a cappella jazz choir, the band is influenced by Swingle Singers, Take 6 and Vox One.

The choir has a diversified repertoire ranging from jazz standards and pop to Turkish folk music. BUMC Jazz Choir won a silver diploma in the categories of jazz and pop in this year’s Vokal Total, being the most renowned a cappella competition in the world. The choir has performed in Bogazici University and other Turkish universities, Akbank Sanat and Jazz Stop.

The choir’s multifarious repertoire was also visible in the concert: together with jazz standards such as “There Will Be Another You”, “All the Things You Are” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing”, the choir interpreted famous songs like “Mas Que Nada”, “Singin’ in the Rain”, “Over the Rainbow”; but also James Bond theme. The band performed “A Cappella in Acapulco” and “Chili Con Carne” from The Real Group and “Singin’ A Cappella” from the Idea of North. The group also gave way to “Danny Boy”, an Irish folk song. But the Turkish folk song covers were the favourites of the audience: “Lacin” and “Asiye”. The latter has a specific importance since it brought the choir the said prize; being arranged by Masis Aram Gozbek, the conductor and a member of the choir. The band also performed “Zor Kadin” which they sang live with Sertab Erener once.

The excitement and enthusiasm of the sympathetic choir members made the performance cheerful. Consequently, the sold out concert was satisfactory for the audience.