Shtreiml & Ismail Fencioglu (Quebec)

Enchanting and ornate, Ismail Fencioglu is a true master of Turkish music. He is a rare talent whose soaring vocals and fleet-fingered oud playing conjures images of the Bosphorus at sunset, transporting his listeners to a different time and place.

Together with Shtreiml, led by Jason Rosenblatt, one of the world’s premier harmonica players and an innovative composer of new Jewish music, the ensemble performs compelling original music rooted in the Jewish and Ottoman traditions. Yes, they’re based in tradition, but also brimming with dextrous improvisational know-how and hard rock sensibilities.

The ensemble includes Jason Rosenblatt (harmonica, piano, vocals) Ismail Fencioglu (oud, vocals), Rachel Lemisch (trombone), Thierry Arsenault (drums), and Joel Kerr (bass).