Biography
Yavuz Akyazıcı was born in 1966 in Turkey. He first studied engineering at Istanbul Technical University and Boğaziçi University, but in his early twenties he decided to fully devote his life to jazz. He moved to New York to study at the New School Jazz Program, working closely with legendary musicians such as Reggie Workman, Jim Hall, Billy Harper, Buster Williams, Vic Juris, Peter Bernstein and Cary De Nigris.
During his 17 years on the New York jazz scene, he played clubs like 55 Bar, Birdland, Knitting Factory, Augie’s and more, performing and recording with musicians such as Matt Wilson, Kevin Fitzgerald Burke, Eric Person and Joe Fonda. He released the albums Gamzelim and Bridge with this group; Gamzelim was described by Sound on Sound magazine as “virtuosically played and recorded.”
After returning to Istanbul, Akyazıcı launched the Turkish Standards project, reimagining well-known Turkish pop and rock songs as jazz standards. He released Turkish Standards Vol. 1, 2 and 3, as well as the albums Short Stories and the live double album Live at Pannonica with his trio. The Turkish Standards series drew attention not only in Turkey but also internationally; NPR News featured an interview with him, drawing parallels between the American Songbook tradition and his approach to Turkish repertoire.
Together with his wife, vocalist and songwriter Funda Akyazıcı, he formed a duo focused on original songs and lyrics. The duo has released several singles on digital platforms, including collaborations with Kevin Fitzgerald Burke; their song “Günlerden Pazar” was selected for Spotify editorial playlists. Akyazıcı has also composed music for feature films in Turkey, including Sinan Çetin’s Romantik and Yücel Yolcu’s Bırakmak İstiyorum.
In 2019 he published “Caz Doğaçlama Sanatı”, the first comprehensive book on jazz improvisation written in Turkish; the first print run quickly sold out. To continue his educational work, he designed, coded and produced the Jazz-A-Minute (J.A.M.) iOS and Android app, a structured jazz practice system with play-alongs, lessons and video content. He also runs the Jazz-A-Minute YouTube channel, where he shares regular jazz education videos.
Today, Yavuz Akyazıcı divides his time between performing, composing, recording and teaching. He works with private students online and in person, using the same clear, systematic approach to improvisation, harmony and learning standards that underpins his book, the J.A.M. app and his educational videos.