After many years of enjoying Istanbul music themselves, Kazum! Productions' Aysegul and Sebastian Merrick launched their first Istanbul Music Tour last July. Timed to coincide with the Istanbul Jazz Festival, a group of 7 went to discover what was going on. Jazz superstars Steps Ahead in Harbiye Open Air Theatre, Fasil music in Beyloglu, dancing to Turku in back street bars, high-life (literally) clubbing in the latest rooftop venues, these were some of the things they got up to.

Among the group was Shaheera Asante who presents BBC Radio 3's Late Junction programme (Mon - Thurs 10.15pm), and as a result of trip and having met saz master Erol Parlak and clarinettist Sekan Cagri, she featured Turkish music on her show between 19 and 22 September, introducing listeners across the UK to a wide range of Turkish music.