History Islak Köpek

Islak Köpek's original lineup of Korhan Erel, Şevket Akıncı, Volkan Terzioğlu and Volkan Ergen had their first performance in summer of 2005. Following a series of performances at Galata Perform and Jazz Cafe, Dirk Stromberg and Robert Reigle joined the band in January 2006. The six-piece band played regular gigs at Galata Perform as well as other venues and also did some recordings. Volkan Ergen left in the summer of 2006 to pursue other musical interests. The five-piece band played at Transit Improvisation Days (with Le Quan Ninh, Kristie Simpson, Talin Büyükkürkciyan and Yanaël Plumet) in June 2006, followed by a sold-out concert at the Akbank Jazz Festival in September 2006. Dirk Stromberg left the band because of teaching opportunities in Vietnam in 2007. The remaining four members continued playing venues and making recordings, particularly with musicians such as Richard Nunns, Christian Asplund, Olivier Germain-Noureux throughout 2007 and 2008. They performed at the Body-Process festival A.M.B.E.R. and the second Transit Festival. The band also performed and continues to do so with guest improvisers from the flourishing Turkish scene, such as Umut Caglar (proprietor of the first Turkish free jazz/improv online label www.rekonstrukt.com), Florent Merlet, Alex Toisoul, Jose Blasco, and David Brosset, all members of the Turkey-based French improv band Have You Seen My Bird (www.haveyouseenmybird.org).

2008 saw the joining of Dilek Acay on violin, who has been a steady member until her departure for studies in Germany end of March 2009. Kevin Davis on cello is a permanent member as of February 2009.

Islak Köpek have been doing a show on free improvisation and free jazz on Açık Radyo (www.acikradyo.com.tr) since May 2006, where they interviewed musicians such as Christian Asplund, Richard Nunns, Chris Cutler, and Kevin Davis. The band members performed in different combinations, including other artists, in Turkey, the Netherlands, Romania, France, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Finland and the UK.

Islak Köpek have released their first album in November 2008 on A.K. Müzik (www.akmuzik.com). The album, which features live and studio recordings of the six-piece band in 2006, is available in the US from www.cdbaby.com and www.cdemusic.org. Islak Köpek released their second album one year later, two years ago on Re:konstrukt

Islak Köpek's current line up is

Sevket Akinci: Guitars, Effects

Kevin Davis: Cello

Korhan Erel: Computer, Electronics, Melodica, Cracklebox

Robert Reigle: Tenor Saxophone

Volkan Terzioglu: Tenor Saxophone

Korhan Erel's MySpace Page

Şevket Akıncı's Official Website

Dirk Stromberg's Official Website

Islak Köpek's Facebook Page

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