Mehmet Polat Quartet

Country
Festival
Sauti za Busara 2026
Recordings

Roots in Motion; 2025

Embodied Poetry; 2023

Aspiration, live at A to Jazz Festival in Sofia 2025
Photo of Mehmet Polat Quartet (view larger)
Mehmet Polat Quartet

Soma kwa Kiswahili

Renowned ud (oud) virtuoso and composer Mehmet Polat leads a new project bringing together three exceptional talents from the jazz and world music scenes. The Mehmet Polat Quartet features: Mehmet Polat – Oud & compositions, Franz von Chossy – piano, Martin Hafizi – drums and Daniel van Huffelen – double bass

This ensemble explores a unique fusion of jazz improvisation and global musical traditions, continuing Polat’s artistic journey into deeply contemplative, emotionally rich, and rhythmically complex soundscapes.

Rooted in diverse cultural heritages and driven by fearless experimentation, the quartet’s compositions venture beyond conventional time signatures. The music flows through intricate meters such as 5/4, 7/4, and 9/8—reflecting rhythms prevalent in many non-Western traditions. Anchored by a solid pulse from the bass and drums, the sound features soaring melodic conversations between the ud and piano.

Each member contributes a distinct voice, creating a collective sound that transcends genre and geography, offering listeners a fresh and immersive musical experience.