released April 27, 2020

ROM BLUE
Aiming to develop artistic and cultural bonds between American and Turkish communities, and promoting diversity and acceptance of Roma people; ROM BLUE is a unique output of instant encounters; a good example of integration between free minded musicians from various generations.

Recorded live in two days in Karsiyaka, Izmir, Turkey after two days of rehearsals in May 2017; “Letafet” should be considered as an audio document of a collective effort, which was based on mutual dialogues, camaraderie, and freedom of expression. Besides standing as an effort which serves a variety of musical styles due to collaborating musicians’ wildly assorted musical backgrounds, the album presents a series of sketches featuring the spirit of moment.

The word “Letafet” stands for “joy and beauty shared in a community”; so feel free to enjoy the journey…

Supervisor: Bülent Köstem (2017)
Supervisor Assistant: Metin Şavural (2017)
Producer: Sarp Keskiner (2017 – 2019)
Music Director: Adam Rudolph (2017)
Visual Documentation: Yetkin Odabaşı (2017)
Editor: Altuğ Akın (2018)
Cover Art: Cenkhan Aksoy (2018)
Cover Design: Borga Kantürk (2019)

Recorded live by Suat Vergili at Hikmet Simsek Opera House / Karsiyaka, Izmir, Turkey (2017)
Recording Assistants: Ufuk Sinkil & Oyku Celik
Editing by Sarp Keskiner / Kronovox Archives / Izmir, Turkey (2018)
Mixed by Suat Vergili / Olympiades Residencies, Izmir, Turkey (2018)
Mastering by Hamit Batuhan Aydin / Center for Advanced Studies of Music, Istanbul Technical University (2019)

CAST
Adam Rudolph: Piano, gumbri, mbira, congas, talking drum
Sarp Keskiner: Vokal, electric guitar, tambourines, bells, shakers, various flutes, harmonica
Berke Can Özcan: Drums, cymbals, gongs, acoustic and electronic fx
Özün Usta: Drums, cymbals, kaval, marimba, djembe
Şenol Şentürk: Alto saxophone
Cem Kömürcü: Clarinet
Seçer Bıyıklı: Traditional bass drum, gong

Project Manager: Bulent Kostem (Slow Life Support Association)
Recorded live by Suat Vergili at Hikmet Simsek Opera House / Karsiyaka, Izmir, Turkey / 2017
Recording Assistants: Ufuk Sinkil & Oyku Celik
Editing by Sarp Keskiner / Kronovox Archives / Izmir, Turkey / 2018
Mixed by Suat Vergili / Olympiades Residencies, Izmir, Turkey / 2018
Mastering by Hamit Batuhan Aydin / Center for Advanced Studies of Music, Istanbul Technical University / 2019
Cover Art by Cenkhan Aksoy (2018)
Cover Design by Borga Kanturk (2019)

ROM BLUE is funded by U.S. Embassy of Ankara, Turkey (2017)