Cenk Esen is an Istanbul-born, London-based pianist, composer, and producer whose
music blends contemporary jazz, improvisation, and influences from soul, electronic, and
experimental music. Growing up in a family of musicians, he developed a distinctive
musical voice that draws from both his Turkish roots and the diverse musical landscape of
London.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music’s Global Jazz Institute, Cenk studied with
internationally renowned artists including Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne
Carrington, Dave Liebman, and George Garzone. Since moving to London, he has become
an active member of the city’s jazz scene, collaborating with artists such as Chaos In The
CBD, Romarna Campbell, MckNasty, Tom Driessler, and Şam.
He has performed at venues including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the Royal Albert Hall,
Cadogan Hall, Southbank Centre, and Nublu, and has appeared at festivals such as
Montreux Jazz Festival, New York Winter Jazz Festival, EFG London Jazz Festival, and We
Out Here.
His debut album, It’s a Family Thing (2021), premiered at the Istanbul Jazz Festival. His
latest album, Endlessly (2025), recorded at London’s AIR Studios, has received support
from DownBeat and Jazzwise magazines, BBC Radio 3, and Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide
FM.
Drawing on a shared sense of improvisation and interaction, Cenk’s live performances
balance composed material with moments of spontaneity, making each concert a unique
musical experience.