Karsu

Between Amsterdam, where she grew up, and her family roots in Turkey, Karsu Dönmez has developed a musical universe that links jazz, pop, soul and Anatolian traditional music. A pianist, singer-songwriter and vocalist, Karsu first attracted attention on Dutch stages, notably by performing in her parents’ restaurant, before appearing on television and performing internationally—from the North Sea Jazz Festival to concerts in New York and Turkey. Her repertoire mixes original compositions and reworked covers, often sung in Turkish and English, with the piano at the centre, an emphasis on group dynamics and arrangements that draw from contemporary jazz as well as orchestrated pop. Her debut album “Live aan ’t IJ” appeared in 2010, followed by “Confession” in 2012 and “Colors” in 2015, which marked a move toward more pop-oriented textures and subtle electronic influences. With the 2019 album “Karsu,” she further asserted this blend of ballads, upbeat tracks and elements from Turkish music, while maintaining an active touring schedule across the Netherlands, Europe and Turkey.