A world-class singer, improviser, and vocal artist celebrated as a key figure in Zurich's independent music scene. 

 

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Drawing from a rich array of influences, Türköz’s music is deeply rooted in the folk songs of her grandparents, who fled from Kazakhstan to Turkey. She intertwines these traditions with sounds from India, Central Asia, and the Arab world, blending them seamlessly with blues, free jazz, and the European and American avant-garde. Her improvisational mastery enables her music to transcend cultural and temporal boundaries, grounding it firmly in the present while honoring the past.

Türköz’s collaborations span generations and geographies, reflecting her artistic reach. She partnered with US experimentalist Elliott Sharp for the album Kumuska (2019) and recorded Urumchi (2006) with Kazakh musicians, naming it after her grandparents' homeland. Her recent work includes We Are Strong (2021), a collaboration with guitarist Beat Keller, where she fuses her family’s history with contemporary experimental soundscapes. Türköz also maintains creative connections with artists like Martin Schütz, Julian Sartorius, and Nils Wogram, all of whom have been pivotal in shaping her musical journey. A recipient of the Swiss Music Award 2023, Türköz was recognized for her decades-long contribution to the Swiss independent music scene.

  • We are Strong, by Saadet Türköz & Beat Keller

  • We are Strong, by Saadet Türköz & Beat Keller