When Herb Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun started Atlantic Records, they had a vision of getting nascent talent recorded with the cream of accompanists and the label soon became a rolling showcase for creative artists. Furthermore the range of the imprint took in not only soul talents such as Ray Charles and the effervescent Aretha Franklin but in time more rock-oriented acts like The Rolling Stones, Cher, Eric Clapton, Vanilla Fudge and even my beloved MC5. Now this Dutch singer and keys player pays her personal homage to the roster and the personalities steering things along.  Atlantic was brave and set the bar high… and it’s going to sound great in this lovely venue

Acclaimed Jazz Singer-Songwriter and pianist, Karsu, will perform a very special one-off show at London’s Cadogan Hall, celebrating the music of Atlantic Records, and its founder, Ahmet Ertegün.

The show takes place on Wednesday 30th May 2018 at Cadogan Hall, London, United Kingdom.

Karsu will celebrate Turkish-born Ertegün’s legacy as igniting some of the most iconic and legendary careers in musical history.

Recognised all around the world for her multi-instrumental talent as well as her captivating voice, Karsu has performed in some of the most spectacular concert venues on the planet, including Carnegie Hall in New York several times – once in 2007 when she was just 17 before returning to headline herself in 2012, and also at some of the world’s most prestigious Jazz Festivals.

Born in Amsterdam, Karsu has already in her young and burgeoning career released two albums of original material that are critically acclaimed across Europe: ‘Confession’ in 2013, and ‘Colors’ in 2015.

Now Karsu will tell the story of Ahmet Ertegün and the music he helped bring into the world, enriching it with her own Jazz-infused style in the process.

Alongside legendary figure Herb Abramson, Ahmet Ertegün founded the label in October 1947. They quickly gained a reputation for specializing in jazz, R&B and soul recordings by African-American musicians, changing the shape of popular music forever.

Karsu will perform by artists at the birth of Atlantic Records, including songs by Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, The Bee Gees, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and Cher.

The Dutch newspaper Brabants Dagblad heralded Karsu plays Atlantic Records’ as a ‘versatile and swirling performance’.

This evening at London’s Cadogan Hall celebrating Ahmet Ertegün will be supported by Yunus Emre Institute, a world-wide non-profit organisation celebrating Turkish culture worldwide.

The show is presented by PIU Entertainment.

You can watch the official trailer for the show in this article. 

Pete Sargeant