Who is Karsu?

Karsu is an internationally acclaimed singer, composer, and pianist from Istanbul, Turkey. Her music blends jazz and soul influences with traditional Turkish music. Her compositions have earned her critical acclaim within the jazz world, as well as a Grammy nomination in the Best World Music Album category in 2017.

Early Life & Career

Karsu was born in Istanbul in 1987 and grew up surrounded by music. Her father was a jazz musician and she was exposed to a variety of music styles from a young age. At the age of ten she began taking piano lessons at the local conservatory of music. After graduating from high school, Karsu moved to The Netherlands to pursue her studies in jazz piano and composition at the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music. After completing her studies, she began performing professionally and collaborating with other musicians.

Discography

In 2011 Karsu released her debut album “Karsu,” which featured a mix of original compositions and traditional Turkish pieces. The album was well-received by critics and audiences alike. She followed it up with her second album “Live in Istanbul” in 2014. This album featured live performances of both new material and older songs from her first album. In 2016 she released her third album “Live at Stadtgarten” which featured live performances from a concert she gave in Cologne, Germany.

Awards & Nominations

Throughout her career Karsu has been recognized for her contributions to music. In 2017 she received a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album for her Live at Stadtgarten album. She has also won numerous awards from the Dutch Jazz Competition and the Dutch Music Prize.

Influences

Karsu’s music is heavily influenced by jazz and soul music, as well as traditional Turkish music. She cites artists such as Buika, Raul Midon, and Cigdem Aslan as major influences on her sound.