Saxophonist Jonah Parzen-Johnson and percussionist Berke Can Özcan have joined forces for a charitable cause. They are releasing “Friendship Music for Turkey,” an EP that aims to raise funds for earthquake relief in Turkey. This 20-minute set, recorded live at Borusan Muzik Evi in Istanbul, features Jonah Parzen-Johnson and Berke Can Özcan, who together deliver an improvisational performance that is both textured and melodically rich.
Capturing the magic of their first meeting in April 2022, this EP is a precursor to an upcoming LP, set to be released in the coming year. The exclusively digital release will be available on Bandcamp and will see 100% of the proceeds donated to non-profit and NGO supported earthquake relief in Turkey. As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of natural disasters, “Friendship Music for Turkey” serves as a testament to the power of music to bring people together for a noble cause.
Jonah Parzen-Johnson says: “These songs are a certain kind of friendship music. Not the kind of friendship you have with people you’ve known forever. The kind of connection that comes fast and easy with someone you barely know but immediately enjoy. Instant friendship. Berke and I have, in fact, only spent 5 days together over two meetings. But that doesn’t matter. We are instant friends.
It’s easy to watch things happen somewhere far away and feel bad. Empathy exists for strangers. But I don’t need to imagine what it feels like in Turkey right now, because Berke lives there, and he is telling me. I want to help the people he cares about, because he cares about them. Maybe some day I’ll have people like that everywhere. I hope so. In the meantime, will you help me support earthquake relief in Turkey?”
Available at jonahpj.bandcamp.com/album/friendship-music-for-turkey
Author: World Music Central News Room
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