The Istanbul-born vocalist performed in support of her album of rebetiko songs with a contemporary twist. At the concert that attracted dozens, Aslan was accompanied by musical director Nikos Baimpas, violinist Michalis Kouloumis, double bassist Colin Somervell, percussionist Vasilis Sarikis and a host of guest musicians.
Singing songs in Greek, Kurdish and Turkish she also sang pieces in Latin, Bulgarian. Mesmerising the crowd with her multi-language capability and magical voice, Aslan basically took the stage by storm. Her new albüm “A Thousand Cranes” is now out.
Who is Çiğdem Aslan?
Çiğdem Aslan is an Istanbul-born singer who sings in many languages and regional styles, including Turkish, Kurdish, Greek, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Roma, and Ladino. Her musical journey started within the family. Coming from Kurdish Alevi background, in which music is one of the pivotal elements of the culture, she grew up with the rich sounds of her culture and then gradually met with the other sounds of Istanbul and beyond.
While studying English literature at Istanbul University, she regularly performed Rebetiko, Sephardic and other ethnic music of Turkey. In 2003 she moved to London and joined Dunav Balkan Group, which alongside various workshops broadened her repertoire and skills. In 2008 she joined She’Koyokh; “Britain’s best klezmer and Balkan music band” Songlines
She also performs folk songs from different regions of Anatolia accompanied by Tahir Palali on kopuz/baglama and herself on frame drums. She studied music at Goldsmith’s University.
Cigdem has been performing and touring her debut album ‘Mortissa’ which has been released from Asphalt Tango Records in October 2013. The album focuses on Rebetiko and Smyrnaic songs from Asia Minor and Greece mainly from 1930s.
The album received great reviews from all around the world; including the Guardian, NPR, Songlines, fRoots, Evening Standard, New York Music Daily; and entered the World Music Charts Europe from top ten and stayed there for months. It was chosen as one of the best albums of 2013 by fRoots and Songlines Magazine which nominated and shortlisted Cigdem in the ‘Best Artist’ category for Songlines Music Awards 2014.
