London-based Pianist, Composer, and Producer
Cenk Esen is an Istanbul-born, London-based pianist and composer. Born to a family of musicians, Cenk grew up listening to post-bop classics alongside mid-noughties pop, shaping a musical sensibility as diverse as the soundscapes of his hometown. After graduating from the Berklee College of Music, where he was a student at the prestigious Global Jazz Institute, Cenk moved to London, quickly establishing himself as a mover and shaker in the scene. The last few years have seen him tour and collaborate with artists like Mansur Brown, Chaos in the CBD, Romarna Campbell, Şam, MckNasty and Tom Driessler; perform in venues like Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Cadogan Hall, Southbank Centre and Royal Albert Hall; and events like Montreux Jazz Festival, New York Winter Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival and We Out Here Festival.
His sophomore album, “Endlessly”, featuring Mcknasty, Tom Driessler, Leyla & Aydın Esen, was recorded at London’s hallowed AIR Studios and was released in May this year.
This is in addition to Cenk’s first full-length album “It’s a Family Thing” (2021) , which had its live debut at the Istanbul Jazz Festival in 2021. 2022 saw Cenk collaborate with US-based drummer Jasper Williamson on “Peace Achievement” (2022), adding to two self-released EP’s.
Live
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Music
Press Quotes
“Cenk’s take on the relative quantities of likes and spikes to put in his musical pick ‘n’ mix undoubtedly gives his work a more modern flavour. “
- John Shakespeare Dyson
“Istanbul-born Cenk Esen is fast building a reputation as a keys-man-about town in his adopted home of London.”
-Eddie Myer
“At the same time, 26-year-old Cenk’s own contemporary musical voice shines through wholeheartedly on Endlessly. While he often nods to the fusion era, particularly on the funky “A&C” and the ever-evolving “They’re Just Not That Into Me Anymore,” which convey obvious Weather Report and Herbie influence, the effect of his Millennium-era youth also shapes the record….. Endlessly is a decisive and fully formed work.”
- Alexa Peters
“I don’t know how many times I listened to it on a loop but it is impossible to get bored of this album (It's a Family Thing) . Make sure to listen to it, great music is good for you!”
- Elif Seven
Amplify Sounds / Southbank Music Centre
“Cenk Esen killing it as always on intergalactic keys!”
- Alex Carr
