Few voices captivate from the very first note. Zeynep Bakşi Karatağ’s voice is one of them. It possesses a tender intimacy — as if she were singing directly to each listener — yet is powerful at the same time. With this unique combination, Bakşi Karatağ makes traditional Turkish songs sound familiar yet fresh. She adapts modern songs with particular sensitivity. Her willingness to experiment with arrangements and electronic sounds is remarkable. Yet this never feels arbitrary; through her voice, it always sounds organic.

Zeynep Bakşi Karatağ was trained at the renowned Mujdat Gezen Institute in Istanbul and studied at the State Conservatory. She now lives in Germany, but in 2021 she was honored as the most popular artist with the “Altin Kelebek,” Turkey’s most prestigious music award. This was due in no small part to her albums “Mozaik” and “Usluca,” both released on the “KALAN” label, which were acclaimed by critics and audiences alike.

At her concert at the Theater an der Ruhr, she will be accompanied by her band — a true concert highlight!

Funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. read less