Rising Stars: Meet Hakan Basar of Basel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hakan Basar.

Hi Hakan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a jazz pianist and composer from Istanbul who began building my career on the European jazz scene at a young age. Without having received formal music-school training before Jazzcampus, I moved to Basel to study at FHNW Jazzcampus, where I began developing my own musical language, rooted in post-bop and modern jazz while also drawing from my cultural and musical heritage.

One of the most important turning points in my career has been developing my own trio and performing across the European jazz scene. With the release of Maiden Voyage, I strengthened my presence as a recording artist and began performing more extensively, particularly in Italy and other parts of Europe. My collaboration with Red Records has also become an important part of this international journey.

Along the way, I have had the opportunity to learn from and work with musicians such as Kris Davis, Aaron Parks and Brad Mehldau, experiences that have deeply influenced my musical development. At the same time, I have been working to build my own projects, establish direct relationships with clubs and festivals across Europe, and create a sustainable long-term career with Italy as one of my important professional bases.

Today, I see myself entering a new chapter. While continuing to develop the Hakan Basar Trio internationally, I am also expanding my musical identity through collective projects such as Abi and Sound of Waves. I see 2027 as an important transition year — a period in which I want to perform more extensively across Europe, work with major festivals and venues, record new music, and build a stronger booking and management network.

At its core, my story is about a young pianist who came from Istanbul, entered the European jazz world without a traditional formal music-school background, and is now independently building his own musical voice and career across the European jazz scene.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course, it has been a journey with its ups and downs, but I guess it wouldn’t be the right path if it didn’t. The right path requires hard work and dedication.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A big part of my work is leading my own trio and developing original music for it. I see the trio not simply as a format, but as a space where we can explore interaction, spontaneity, and storytelling. Alongside the trio, I am also developing collective projects that allow me to explore a wider palette of sounds and ideas.

What I am most proud of is the journey itself. I started without a traditional formal music-school background, and I had to build many things from the ground up. Moving from Istanbul to Basel, studying at Jazzcampus, recording and releasing my music, and gradually establishing myself on the European scene has been challenging, but every step has taught me something.

There have definitely been ups and downs, but I think that is part of any meaningful path. The right path requires work, patience, and persistence.

What sets me apart is probably the combination of where I come from, what I have absorbed through jazz, and my desire to keep searching rather than simply reproducing what already exists. I am still developing my voice, but I want my music to have a clear identity — something that carries the spirit of the jazz tradition while also sounding like me.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I mean there was always music around me while I was growing but I was also really into it about basketball too I mean there was always lot american culture was happening on these days

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hakanbasar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hakanbasarmusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hakanbasarpiano

Image Credits
Begum Ormanci