For those unaware, Dr. Meltem Ege is a Turkish jazz vocalist, composer, and academic whose work as a performer and educator has earned her recognition and acclaim in the international jazz community, with notable honors such as first-place wins at the Lady Summertime Jazz Competition (2007) and the Jazz Voices Competition (2006). Meltem has performed as a featured soloist with several big bands and symphony orchestras, headlining jazz festivals and concert halls across the globe.

Currently based in Los Angeles, Meltem combines her classical piano background and her jazz vocal expertise—having earned degrees from Bilkent University and Berklee College of Music— with the artistic freedom found during her years studying experimental music and theater at the California Institute of the Arts, where she is currently full-time faculty.

Meltem’s performances run the gamut from straightforward jazz to solo with electronics to experimental opera as she continues to expand her artistic practice.

Although jazz is rooted in early 20th century African-American communities in the South, particularly in New Orleans, it has been adopted and adapted by different cultures around the world. Turkey, which is one of a handful of countries that straddles two continents, has been the nexus of civilizations since ancient times, creating a unique blend of Eastern and Western traditions.

And now, Turkish American jazz singer Meltem Ege (Eg-eh) is releasing her debut jazz album Solitude on May 23rd, 2025, which was recorded in both the US and Turkey.

1. Anlayana
2. We Must Not Say Yes (feat. Theo Bleckmann)
3. Solitude
4. Aklinda Kalmasin
5. Dawn
6. Seninle Dans
7. Eyes of Innocence
8. Brush Strokes

Reflecting Ege’s cross-cultured pedigree throughout these sumptuously delivered eight tracks, the album opens on the flirtatiously perky Anlayana and then we get the low slung, yet alluringly soulful We Must Not Say Yes (featuring German singer and composer Theo Bleckmann), the rhythmically sculptured title track Solitude and the emboldened Aklinda Kalmasin.

Singing half the album in English and half in Turkish, along next is the sweepingly gorgeous Dawn which is itself backed seamlessly by the upbeat and free flowing Seninle Dans, the set rounding out on the balladry gossamer of Eyes of Innocence, coming to a close on the impassioned storytelling within the melodious Brush Strokes.

Official Apple Music Purchase Link

www.meltemege.com