The Storytellers brings together two extraordinary guitar masters – Cenk Erdoğan from Istanbul and Antonio Forcione from London – blending Eastern modes with Mediterranean jazz in a poetic musical encounter.
They first met 17 years ago in Istanbul at a masterclass – a teacher and a student longing to collaborate. Life took them on separate paths, until 2019, when they finally reunited. Their musical connection is instant and deep – a meeting of emotion, creativity, and pure expression.
Antonio Forcione, often referred to as the “Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar”, transforms his instrument into a full percussive and melodic tool. Cenk Erdoğan, with his fretless guitar, introduces rich Anatolian tonalities into their unmistakably fresh, jazzy sound.
Cenk Erdoğan is a fretless guitar and tambur virtuoso, composer and arranger from Istanbul – a city that bridges continents and cultures. His unique musical voice blends the ancient traditions of Anatolia with the contemporary language of jazz, bringing traditional melodies into modern improvisational frameworks with elegance and originality.
Antonio Forcione is one of the world’s most celebrated acoustic guitarists. Born in Italy and deeply rooted in Mediterranean traditions, his genre-defying style blends jazz, flamenco, African, Brazilian and improvised music. With over 21 albums and collaborations with legends like Charlie Haden, Angelique Kidjo, Trilok Gurtu and Larry Coryell, Antonio has performed on prestigious stages around the world, captivating audiences with his virtuosity, humor, and unmatched stage presence.
