Headfirst Editor's Pick
"Sumptuous worldly musical delights in the gorgeous confines of Cotham Parish Church. Immerse yourself in Turkish, Kurdish and Middle Eastern music plucked expertly by the expanded Eastern Strings ensemble (oud, double bass, violin and percussion) with modern bağlama master Özcan Ateş’s poignant vocals."
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A gig on Friday 28th June. The event starts at 19:30.
Thrilling Kurdish/Middle Eastern sounds.
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RICH, DISTINCTIVE, AND HEARTFELT MUSIC; A TAPESTRY OF TURKISH KURD SONGS BY ÖZCAN ATEŞ AND STRIKING MIDDLE EASTERN SOUND WORLDS BY DAPHNA SADEH AND KNUD STÜWE.
★★★★☆
All Music
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Özcan Ateş: bağlama, vocals
Knud Stüwe: oud
Daphna Sadeh: double bass
Jenny Glester: violin
Chas Whitaker: percussion
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The playing of Bristol-based duo Eastern Strings (Daphna Sadeh, double bass, and Knud Stüwe, oud) combines classical precision, world music energy, and characterful jazz improvisation. Their instrumental music is distinctive and exquisite, drawing together a tapestry of musical cultures from across the Middle East. The formidable accompaniment of outstanding violinist Jenny Glester and master percussionist Chas Whitaker elevates the larger ensemble.
Special guest, the Turkish Kurd singer and musician Özcan Ates, is an exponent of the ear-catching traditional bağlama, a seven-stringed, long-necked lute originally used to accompany Alevi poetry recitals. His playing is intense and musically enriching; his vocals are lyrical, emotional, versatile.
Currently in exile and living in Bristol, Özcan is a gifted member of the new generation of Turkish bağlama players following in the footsteps of celebrated artists such as fretless guitar pioneer Erkan Oğur and folk poet Âşık Veysel. He is an active member of the Dovetail Orchestra, an inspirational and adventurous ensemble of refugees and asylum-seekers.
Together, Özcan Ateş and the Eastern Strings' intricate and eclectic mix of Kurdish, Turkish, and Middle Eastern traditional songs and contemporary originals is viscerally gorgeous, full of surprise and delight, magical, and transporting. High class.
★★★★☆
'Brilliant and hypnotic ... seductive and powerful music.'
All About Jazz
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For further concerts in the 2024 Cotham Club season, visit: hdfst.uk/cotham-club
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Cotham Club: a brilliant, eclectic, monthly live global music club with a passion for community at its core.
Music, with all its subtlety and spirit, has immense power to unite people. It is the universal language of mankind. The sounds of Africa, America, Eurasia and Oceania have always found a home in Bristol and there are few better examples of the city’s cultural cross-pollination than Cotham Club, a celebration in sound of what unites rather than divides. Each month we showcase some of the most diverse and brilliant musicians from Bristol and beyond, linking audiences to great music and to each other.
'Community-focused gigs welcoming an array of global musicians and gig-goers of all ages, genders, neurotypes and ethnicities.'
Bristol 24/7
epic cross-generational gigs (+) grassroots vibes (+) warmest crowds (in) brilliant space (w/) unique atmosphere (+) intimate feel (=) great night out
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Tickets:
£12 in advance | £15 on the door | £5 concessions | £2 under-18s
£5 concession tickets are available for: recipients of Universal and Pension Credit or Jobseekers Allowance; full time students (NUS or valid student ID card); people with registered disabilities; and members of the Musicians' Union (The MU)
£2 concession tickets are available for: accompanied under-18s
free tickets are available for: asylum seekers/refugees; personal/care assistants or essential companions; and accompanied under-5s
pay it forward: if you're feeling generous and you have the means, please consider choosing this rate | each Pay It Forward ticket helps to subsidise concession tickets, and enables us to engage all communities of Bristol, helping more people experience the delight of watching live music
Venue address:
Cotham Parish Church, Cotham Road ( top of St Michael's Hill ), Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6DR
Eat & drink:
choose from a selection of wine, beer, cider, hot drinks, soft drinks and snacks from 30 minutes before performance start and during the interval | free nibbles/ sweet treats available at selected events
Toilets:
accessible toilets available
Travel:
bus: Firstbus service 72 (Bristol Temple Meads Station to UWE Frenchay Campus): firstbus.co.uk
train: 10 minute walk from Clifton Down Train Station: gwr.com | 15 minute walk from Redland Train Station: gwr.com
walking: 15 minute walk up St Michael's Hill from Christmas Steps | 10 minute walk from Everyman Cinema, Whiteladies Road | 15 minute walk from The Arches, Cheltenham Road
Car parking:
on-street parking available | limited on-site accessible parking available for Blue Badge holders
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
-
RICH, DISTINCTIVE, AND HEARTFELT MUSIC; A TAPESTRY OF TURKISH KURD SONGS BY ÖZCAN ATEŞ AND STRIKING MIDDLE EASTERN SOUND WORLDS BY DAPHNA SADEH AND KNUD STÜWE.
★★★★☆
All Music
-
Özcan Ateş: bağlama, vocals
Knud Stüwe: oud
Daphna Sadeh: double bass
Jenny Glester: violin
Chas Whitaker: percussion
-
The playing of Bristol-based duo Eastern Strings (Daphna Sadeh, double bass, and Knud Stüwe, oud) combines classical precision, world music energy, and characterful jazz improvisation. Their instrumental music is distinctive and exquisite, drawing together a tapestry of musical cultures from across the Middle East. The formidable accompaniment of outstanding violinist Jenny Glester and master percussionist Chas Whitaker elevates the larger ensemble.
Special guest, the Turkish Kurd singer and musician Özcan Ates, is an exponent of the ear-catching traditional bağlama, a seven-stringed, long-necked lute originally used to accompany Alevi poetry recitals. His playing is intense and musically enriching; his vocals are lyrical, emotional, versatile.
Currently in exile and living in Bristol, Özcan is a gifted member of the new generation of Turkish bağlama players following in the footsteps of celebrated artists such as fretless guitar pioneer Erkan Oğur and folk poet Âşık Veysel. He is an active member of the Dovetail Orchestra, an inspirational and adventurous ensemble of refugees and asylum-seekers.
Together, Özcan Ateş and the Eastern Strings' intricate and eclectic mix of Kurdish, Turkish, and Middle Eastern traditional songs and contemporary originals is viscerally gorgeous, full of surprise and delight, magical, and transporting. High class.
★★★★☆
'Brilliant and hypnotic ... seductive and powerful music.'
All About Jazz
-
For further concerts in the 2024 Cotham Club season, visit: hdfst.uk/cotham-club
-
Cotham Club: a brilliant, eclectic, monthly live global music club with a passion for community at its core.
Music, with all its subtlety and spirit, has immense power to unite people. It is the universal language of mankind. The sounds of Africa, America, Eurasia and Oceania have always found a home in Bristol and there are few better examples of the city’s cultural cross-pollination than Cotham Club, a celebration in sound of what unites rather than divides. Each month we showcase some of the most diverse and brilliant musicians from Bristol and beyond, linking audiences to great music and to each other.
'Community-focused gigs welcoming an array of global musicians and gig-goers of all ages, genders, neurotypes and ethnicities.'
Bristol 24/7
epic cross-generational gigs (+) grassroots vibes (+) warmest crowds (in) brilliant space (w/) unique atmosphere (+) intimate feel (=) great night out
-
Tickets:
£12 in advance | £15 on the door | £5 concessions | £2 under-18s
£5 concession tickets are available for: recipients of Universal and Pension Credit or Jobseekers Allowance; full time students (NUS or valid student ID card); people with registered disabilities; and members of the Musicians' Union (The MU)
£2 concession tickets are available for: accompanied under-18s
free tickets are available for: asylum seekers/refugees; personal/care assistants or essential companions; and accompanied under-5s
pay it forward: if you're feeling generous and you have the means, please consider choosing this rate | each Pay It Forward ticket helps to subsidise concession tickets, and enables us to engage all communities of Bristol, helping more people experience the delight of watching live music
Venue address:
Cotham Parish Church, Cotham Road ( top of St Michael's Hill ), Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6DR
Eat & drink:
choose from a selection of wine, beer, cider, hot drinks, soft drinks and snacks from 30 minutes before performance start and during the interval | free nibbles/ sweet treats available at selected events
Toilets:
accessible toilets available
Travel:
bus: Firstbus service 72 (Bristol Temple Meads Station to UWE Frenchay Campus): firstbus.co.uk
train: 10 minute walk from Clifton Down Train Station: gwr.com | 15 minute walk from Redland Train Station: gwr.com
walking: 15 minute walk up St Michael's Hill from Christmas Steps | 10 minute walk from Everyman Cinema, Whiteladies Road | 15 minute walk from The Arches, Cheltenham Road
Car parking:
on-street parking available | limited on-site accessible parking available for Blue Badge holders
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
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