Turkish Cypriot bassist Oytun Ersan to share stage with legendary British band Level 42

Ersan has received a special invitation to perform at the 47th Leverkusener Jazztage, where his band, Blue Deja Vu, will open for Level 42 at Forum Leverkusen on November 13.

The performance will place the Turkish Cypriot musician on the same concert bill as one of Britain's most successful jazz-funk groups, famous for international hits including Lessons in Love, Something About You and Running in the Family.

Led by acclaimed bassist and vocalist Mark King, Level 42 enjoyed major international success throughout the 1980s and remains one of the best-known names in British jazz-funk.

Two concerts in Germany

Ersan will perform twice during his visit to Germany.

His first concert will take place on November 12 at Topos Jazz Club in Wuppertal, where Oytun Ersan & Blue Deja Vu will present a programme combining jazz, funk and fusion.

The following evening, the band will take to the stage at Forum Leverkusen as the opening act for Level 42.

Blue Deja Vu features Ersan on bass guitar alongside four German musicians: Rainer Hamacher on guitar, Eckhard Meszelinsky on saxophone, Christian Dellacher on keyboards and Jan Niemeyer on drums.

An international career

Ersan has built an international reputation over a musical career spanning more than 25 years.

A voting member of the Recording Academy, the organisation behind the Grammy Awards, he is entitled to participate in voting for Grammy nominees and winners.

He began his professional musical journey at the age of 15 when he joined the Nicosia Turkish Municipality Orchestra.

He later graduated from Eastern Mediterranean University's Music Academy and completed postgraduate studies in education. He also attended a conducting masterclass in the United Kingdom led by Professor Peter Stark of the Royal College of Music.

Throughout his career, Ersan has performed and collaborated with internationally recognised musicians, including his brother, jazz-fusion guitarist Okan Ersan, as well as Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal, Gary Husband, Karen Briggs and Dean Brown.

In 2013, he was selected as an artist representative for American bass guitar manufacturer Fodera and also became associated with international music equipment brands GruvGear and Markbass.

His work has been featured in specialist publications including Bass Musician Magazine, Bass Guitar Magazine and All About Jazz.

Managed internationally by Melis Ünal, Ersan has also had his original work entered for Grammy consideration in six categories.

His upcoming performances in Germany mark another significant international appearance for a Turkish Cypriot musician, bringing his distinctive jazz-funk sound to European audiences and placing him alongside one of the genre's most celebrated British bands.