Janet & Jak Esim Ensemble

For over 40 years, Janet & Jak Esim have dedicated themselves to collecting, researching and interpreting Sephardic music - the musical heritage of the Jewish communities that migrated to the Ottoman Empire and other countries after being expelled from Spain. With their ensemble, they bring this multifaceted tradition to international stages and renowned festivals, radio programs and albums.
Jak Esim‘s musical journey began in the 1980s, when - influenced by the Sephardic songs of his childhood - he started collecting and performing rare pieces. Today, Jak Esim is internationally recognized as a distinguished researcher of Sephardic music, who is committed to the preservation and further development of this cultural heritage with contributions to encyclopedias, radio documentaries and at international congresses.
Together with Janet and other renowned Turkish musicians such as Erkan Oğur, she has released numerous albums to date, including Judeo Espanyol Songs (1989), Antik Bir Hüzün (1992), Mira (2003) and Adio (2006). Their music has also been released on international compilations, such as Putumayo‘s A Jewish Odyssey (2001). The album Sefardim 1, released in Germany in 1992, was awarded the German Record Critics‘ Prize.
As Janet & Jak Esim Ensemble, whose line-up has changed repeatedly over the years and depending on the projects, they combine Sephardic songs with elements of classical Turkish music and the sounds of Istanbul‘s multi-ethnic culture. Their focus is on authenticity, modal depth and the exciting dialog between Orient and Occident. Janet (vocals) and Jak (vocals and guitar) are joined on stage by their son Yusuf (vocals and guitar) and oud player Bekir Sahin Baloglu for the JCOM project The Keys of Toledo.
The ensemble has performed in many European countries, Israel, Canada and Turkey - in venues such as the Gasteig (Munich), Henry Crown Hall (Jerusalem), Ashkenaz Festival (Toronto) and Festival Internacional de Música Sefardí (Córdoba). Most recently, they have been working with their son Yusuf Esim on the duo album Romances del Alma, which explores the sonic connection between Sephardic and Spanish traditions.