By Heidi Trautmann

Süleyman Todds/Vocal,

Ersen Sururi/Violin,

Cahit Kutrafalı/Bass

Kadir Evre/Guitar

Amil Novruzov/Piano,

Uğur Güçlü/Drums

A cool summer evening on June 18, with strong winds coming from the sea but the unique Alsançak Music House ‘The Soulist’ was soon full with music lovers. The same formation of musicians had opened the music scene as the first ones in Nicosia to defy the virus who had kept us isolated for so long.

Also my friend Sevcan Çerkez, ceramic artist and fine singer herself, and I did not want to miss this evening: We usually both come for the Jazz Breakfast at The Soulist.

Music from the middle of last century, melodies I have listened to and danced to in my very young years, and Jazz that came to Europe after WWII with the Americans; I remember those days well; AFN had a radio station in Munich and I passed it on my way to school, it was the radio station of the American Forces Network and they started broadcasting on 10 July 1945 until the 1990s. …. It enjoyed immense popularity with young Germans too, as it allowed them to listen to Jazz and Blues, outlawed during the ‘Third Reich’, and later to Rock 'n' Roll and Country music. It also helped Germans learn English in order to be able to understand the broadcasts.

The evening started softly but soon became a very special experience with the musicians being invited by the vocalist Süleyman Todds after he had started a well-known melody, to enter with a solo, to bring their own improvisation, and with the progressing evening the solos became more and more daring and expressive and told another story of the song. They got carried away and enjoyed themselves tremendously, just as we, the guests did…. with our bodies moving, joining in singing and clapping hands.

Another lovely and joyful evening at The Soulist. Thank you for reminding us oldies of our young years, music is the best medicine.

The photos are by Sevcan Çerkez.