Musicians receive get awards from jazz fest

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

The award ceremony took place at the Austrian Embassy. Musician Durul Gence (L) received his award from Görgün Taner, the İKSV general manager.

The Lifetime Achievement Award of the 20th Istanbul Jazz Festival was presented to musician and conductor Durul Gence and musician Hasan Kocamaz.

The award ceremony took place at the Austrian Embassy in Istanbul on July 4. While Durul Gence received his award from Görgün Taner, İKSV general manager, Kocamaz’s daughter collected his award.

Gence said the high point of his career was taking the stage with Herbie Mann during his Istanbul concert. Gence said he was writing a book to share his experiences and that he would deserve the award when he finished his book.”

Durul Gence, who started playing drums in 1954 at the Turkish Naval Academy, came to prominence with his 1970 record Sheikh Shamil. In addition to his bands “Istanbul Express” and “Asia Minor Mission,” he accompanied artists such as Ajda Pekkan, Rüçhan Çamay, Gönül Yazar, Alpay, Tanju Okan, Ertan Anapa and worked with international artists such as Herb Geller, Sonny Sharock, Bertice Reading, Four Pennies, Lili Ivanova, Mads Vinding, Peter Bastian, Anders Koppel, Herbie Mann. Gence, who gives lectures on humanity, music and jazz at ODTU and Hacettepe universities, is currently working with his band “DG-4.”

About Hasan Kocamaz and his career

Hasan Kocamaz, who was born in Istanbul in 1928, became acquainted with jazz while he was studying at Galatasaray High School. Kocamaz, who started music by playing the harmonica, won first prize in a harmonica contest which was held in Paris in 1959. Encouraged by Cüneyt Sermet, he also started playing the snare drum in the late 50’s. Kocamaz worked with famous jazz musicians of the era such as Yavuz Özışık, Tülay German, Erol Büyükburç, and Necdet Karar. Kocamaz made great contributions to the advance of swing music in Turkey and is known for opening the first jazz club of the country, in the Bebek district of Istanbul.