About

Julian Erdem, born in Berlin, is a jazz drummer, composer, and teacher. He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study Jazz Performance at City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a master’s degree with an excellent GPA. His studies emphasised on harmony and theory classes as well as classical and post-tonal composition. Furthermore, he was highly engaged in the CCNY graduate ensembles led by renowned saxophonist Steve Wilson. For his profound academic achievements, Julian Erdem received another grant by the Quadrille Ball Committee of the Germanistic Society of America. Later on, he worked as an adjunct professor at CCNY, which included teaching classes in jazz history and leading and evaluating undergraduate jazz combos. During that time he founded his quartet including Keisuke Matsuno, Can Olgun, and Thomas Morgan. In June 2016, he recorded his debut album Little Flower with this formation playing his original music (Unit Records, 2017). He has toured and performed in the US and Germany on occasions as Cipriano Wall Street hosted by the Institute of International Education, Bonafide Jazz Club (New York), the Elbjazz Festival (Hamburg) and a live broadcast of the NDR, a German radio station. In addition, he regularly played on social events as part of the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now Association (Hamburg). Over the years he took lessons with well known teachers such as Holger Nell, Jochen Rueckert, Fred Hersch, John Taylor, Bobo Stenson, Johnathan Blake, and Lucas Lindholm.

Little Flower Trio

JULIAN ERDEM, drums & composition
CAN OLGUN, piano & rhodes
KEISUKE MATSUNO, guitar & effects

The three musicians—Julian Erdem, Can Olgun, and Keisuke Matsuno—share a long friendship and common years in the jazz metropolis New York City. Together they experimented with music that emphasizes on sound and free improvisation. Knowing each other for decades, they have also experienced musical key moments together. For instance, the three musicians already played together in a high school big band and had their own rock band at the same time. All of them value the jazz tradition. Their love for improvised music always connected them. Due to their common history, they understand each other blindly and do not need many prior arrangements while playing. The music of Julian Erdem creates an atmosphere floating between melancholy, hope, and forgiveness. Its distinctive style is not easy to categorize. Some songs are based on a melody, a clear form, or written voices. Others consist of subtly connected sounds where the transitions can rather be felt than anticipated. Julian Erdem’s compositions are versatile yet connected by a common thread. While composing, Julian Erdem often had the sound and musical identity of his fellow musicians in mind. This leads to an inseparable connection between the choice of musicians and the music itself.

Julian Erdem was drawn to music at an early age. At the age of five, he discovered making music on the piano purely by ear and in a playful manner. He was particularly fascinated by tones that, through their relationship with each other, seem to move in a certain direction, creating a feeling. Understanding the reproducibility of these movements instilled in him a fundamental trust in the instrument and in music. Improvisation gave—and still gives—him a sense of peace and freedom. Although the drums gradually became his primary instrument, his fascination with the sound worlds he discovered in childhood never faded. This approach forms the core of his composing. Even though over the years he acquired a vast amount of musical knowledge—during his jazz studies in New York, he intensely studied classical counterpoint and post-tonal harmony—the highest priority remains the ear and what the heard music evokes emotionally.

In 2017, Erdem released his debut album, Little Flower, which features his trio along with the highly regarded bassist Thomas Morgan. “Little Flower” represents for Julian Erdem a symbol of the fragile, the unprotected, and thus the genuine within us. It embodies the original, the childlike naivety, hope, and joy. It is beautiful to behold and peaceful but also vulnerable, as it reacts sensitively to wind and weather. For the flower, it’s about survival. When composing and improvising, the drummer and his band strive to protect this original quality, letting it grow or simply allowing it to be as it is.

Julian Erdem – Little Flower (feat. Thomas Morgan)


JULIAN ERDEM, drums & composition
CAN OLGUN, piano
KEISUKE MATSUNO, guitar & effects
THOMAS MORGAN, bass

Recorded at Oktaven Audio, New York, June 2016
Recording Engineer: Ryan Streber
Mixing and Mastering at Bass Hit Recording, New York
Engineer: Dave Darlington
Cover painting: Anja Röhl
Layout and Design: Tomas Engel
Photography: Tayla Nebesky
Album Producer: Julian Erdem
Label: Unit Records

Captured For

SIMON JERMYN, nylon string guitar
MATTHIAS PICHLER, double bass
JULIAN ERDEM, drums

Captured For are a guitar trio who formed during the pandemic and has been steadily building their repertoire of original compositions and approach to improvised music. Drawing on the jazz tradition, new music and more, as well as incorporating electronics, this is an unusual trio with a refreshing sound. Captured For recently released their debut album, entitled Outward Bound, available as both video and audio album.

Outward Bound

Recorded on Nov 27th, 2021

Sound engineering: Sebastian Merk
Album art & cover design: Andrea Lüth

Tracks 1, 2, 3 and 5 composed by Julian Erdem
Track 4 by Simon Jermyn

Also available as video album:

Shows

No shows booked at the moment.

Date Artist City Venue Country
01/25/25 Captured For Berlin Kulturstall Schloss Britz Germany
Time: 7:15pm. Address: Alt-Britz 81. w/ Simon Jermyn, guitar & effects – Matthias Pichler, upright bass – Julian Erdem, drums
07/31/24 Little Flower Trio +Special Guest Berlin Kunstfabrik Schlot Germany
Time: 9:00pm. Admission: 15€/10€. Address: Invalidenstr. 117. w/ Keisuke Matsuno-guitar & effects, Can Olgun-piano, Matthias Pichler-bass, Julian Erdem-drums & composition
07/28/24 Olgun-Pichler-Erdem Berlin Johanna’s Place Germany
Time: 5:00pm. House concert – invite only / Can Olgun-piano, Matthias Pichler-bass, Julian Erdem-drums
07/20/24 Little Flower Trio Berlin Donau115 Germany
Time: 8:00pm. Address: Donaustr. 115. Can Olgun, piano & rhodes – Keisuke Matsuno, guitar & effects – Julian Erdem, drums & composition
07/11/22 Captured For Köln Stadtgarten Germany
Time: 8:00pm. w/ Simon Jermyn – guitar, Matthias Pichler – bass, Julian Erdem – drums
09/17/21 Julian Erdem Berlin Pompeji Freilichtbühne, Zukunft am Ostkreuz Germany
Time: 7:30pm. Address: Laskerstr. 5, Markgrafendamm, 10245 Berlin. w/ Sebastian Böhlen – guitar, Toms Rudzinskis – sax & Kenneth Dahl Knudsen – bass
07/17/21 Julian Erdem Berlin Donau115 Germany
Time: 8:30pm. Address: Donaustr. 115. Simon Jermyn-nylon string guitar, Matthias Pichler-bass, Julian Erdem-drums
07/14/21 Julian Erdem Berlin Pompeji Freilichtbühne, Zukunft am Ostkreuz Germany
Time: 8:30pm. Address: Laskerstr. 5, Markgrafendamm, 10245 Berlin. Relatively Relational w/ Keisuke Matsuno-git, Mark Pringle-piano/synth, Julian Erdem-drums
07/13/21 Julian Erdem Berlin Kunstfabrik Schlot Germany
Time: 8:30pm. Address: Invalidenstr. 117. Relatively Relational w/ Keisuke Matsuno-git, Mark Pringle-piano/synth, Julian Erdem-drums
06/24/21 Julian Erdem Berlin Donau115 Germany
Time: 8:30pm. Address: Donaustr. 115. Relatively Relational w/ Keisuke Matsuno-git Mark Pringle-piano & synth
08/15/19 Julian Erdem Berlin Donau115 Germany
Time: 9:00pm. Address: Donaustr. 115. w/ Keisuke Matsuno (guitar) & Can Olgun (piano)
06/24/19 Julian Erdem Berlin Barenboim Said Akademie Germany
Time: 4:30pm. Address: Französische Straße 33D. w/ Toms Rudzinskis (sax) & Tom Berkmann (bass)
06/22/19 Julian Erdem Berlin Tangotanzen mach schön Germany
Time: 9:30pm. Address: Oranienstr. 185. swing dance music w/ James Scannell (sax, clarinet) , Andrew Adair (piano), James Banner (bass)
05/04/19 Julian Erdem Vientiane Vientiane Jazz Fest Laos
Time: 8:00pm. Defne Sahin Group w/ Defne Sahin, voc – Igor Spallati, b – Povel Widestrand, b
Tour: “Little Flower” CD Release feat. Thomas Morgan
12/16/18 Julian Erdem Passau Cafe Museum Germany
Time: 8:00pm. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, git – Can Olgun, p – Thomas Morgan, b
12/15/18 Julian Erdem Leipzig Liveclub Telegraph Germany
Time: 8:30pm. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, git – Can Olgun, p – Thomas Morgan, b
12/14/18 Julian Erdem Rheinsberg Schloss Rheinsberg Germany
Time: 7:30pm. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, git – Can Olgun, p – Thomas Morgan, b
12/13/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Heinz-Berggrün Gymnasium Germany
Time: 8:00pm. Address: Bayernallee 4. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, git – Can Olgun, p – Thomas Morgan, b
12/12/18 Julian Erdem Hamburg Fatjazz (Übel & Gefährlich) Germany
Time: 8:00pm. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, git – Can Olgun, p – Thomas Morgan, b
12/11/18 Julian Erdem Köln Loft Germany
Time: 8:30pm. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, git – Can Olgun, p – Thomas Morgan, b
12/10/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Kunstfabrik Schlot Germany
Time: 8:00pm. Address: Invalidenstr. 117. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, git – Can Olgun, p – Thomas Morgan, b
12/09/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Hoffnungskirche Pankow Germany
Time: 4:00pm. Address: Elsa-Brändström-Straße 36. “Die Seligpreisungen” – Werke von Heloisa Fleury
12/08/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Hoffnungskirche Pankow Germany
Time: 6:00pm. Address: Elsa-Brändström-Straße 36. “Die Seligpreisungen” – Werke von Heloisa Fleury
09/16/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Berlin Marathon Germany
Time: 10:00am. Address: Gneisenaustraße 104. to be announced
09/01/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Tangotanzen mach schön Germany
Time: 9:30pm. Address: Oranienstr. 185. “Swingtanzen macht froh” w/ Johannes Ballestrem, p & Markus Ehrlich, sax
09/01/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Stadtteilfest Neukölln, Bunker Germany
Time: 5:00pm. w/ Jazzorchester Neue Welt
08/18/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Johanna’s Place Germany
Time: 7:00pm. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, guitar & Can Olgun, piano. Private event, ask for invite
08/16/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Donau115 Germany
Time: 8:30pm. Address: Donaustr. 115. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, guitar & Can Olgun, piano
08/13/18 Julian Erdem Hamburg Hafenbahnhof Germany
Time: 9:30pm. Admission: 6€. Address: Große Elbstraße 276. w/ Keisuke Matsuno, guitar & Can Olgun, piano
08/03/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Donau115 Germany
Time: 9:00pm. Address: Donaustr. 115. Uli Kempendorff – Clarinet/Bass Clarinet // Rudi Mahall – Clarinet/Bass Clarinet // Declan Forde – Piano // James Banner – Bass // Julian Erdem – Drums
07/01/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Hoffnungskirche Pankow Germany
Time: 10:00am. Address: Elsa-Brändström-Straße 36. Gottesdienst “Die Seligpreisungen” – Werke von Heloisa Fleury
06/30/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Hoffnungskirche Pankow Germany
Time: 7:30pm. Address: Elsa-Brändström-Straße 36. Chor-Atelier: Werke von Heloisa Fleury – Missa Brasileira
06/22/18 Julian Erdem Bremen Theater Bremen Germany
Time: 9:00pm. You Want It Darker – Liederabend (Leonard Cohen)
06/20/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Gemeinschaftshaus Gropiusstadt Germany
Time: 11:30am. Address: Bat-Yam-Platz 1. Kleiner Nick – Theateraufführung
06/20/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Gemeinschaftshaus Gropiusstadt Germany
Time: 9:30am. Address: Bat-Yam-Platz 1. Kleiner Nick – Theateraufführung
06/19/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Gemeinschaftshaus Gropiusstadt Germany
Time: 11:30am. Address: Bat-Yam-Platz 1. Kleiner Nick – Theateraufführung
06/19/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Gemeinschaftshaus Gropiusstadt Germany
Time: 9:30am. Address: Bat-Yam-Platz 1. Kleiner Nick – Theateraufführung
06/16/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Tangotanzen mach schön Germany
Time: 9:00pm. Admission: 7-10 €. Address: Oranienstr. 185. “Swingtanzen macht froh” w/ James Scannell – Saxophone/Clarinet, Declan Forde – Piano, James Banner – Bass
06/16/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Gemeinschaftshaus Gropiusstadt Germany
Time: 5:30pm. Address: Bat-Yam-Platz 1. Kleiner Nick – Theateraufführung
06/16/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Gemeinschaftshaus Gropiusstadt Germany
Time: 3:30pm. Address: Bat-Yam-Platz 1. Kleiner Nick – Theateraufführung
04/15/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Brauhaus Südstern Germany
Time: 6:00pm. Address: Hasenheide 69. w/ Martin Terens, piano & Danny Sorek, bass
03/11/18 Julian Erdem Berlin Brauhaus Südstern Germany
Time: 6:00pm. Address: Hasenheide 69. Trio w/ Martin Terens, piano & James Banner, bass
12/03/17 Julian Erdem Hamburg Brückenstern Germany
Time: 7:00pm. Address: Stresemannstrasse 133. Lena Geue, voc & git – Lukas Klapp, p – Tilman Oberbeck, b – Julian Erdem, dr
10/01/17 Julian Erdem Bremen Theater Bremen Germany
Time: 8:00pm.
09/24/17 Julian Erdem Berlin Berlin Marathon Germany
Time: 9:15am. Address: Gneisenaustraße 104. Martin Terens: piano, Tim Kleinsorge: bass, Julian Erdem: drums
03/15/17 Julian Erdem Hamburg Cascadas Germany
Time: 8:00pm. Admission: free. Session opener w/ Lukas Klapp, piano – Sebastian Gille, sax – Gustav Broman, bass – Julian Erdem, drums
12/05/16 Julian Erdem Berlin Johanna’s Place Germany
Time: 7:30pm. Admission: free. Trio music w/ Can Olgun, piano; Tim Kleinsorge, bass; Julian Erdem, drums
09/25/16 Julian Erdem Berlin Berlin Marathon Germany
Time: 9:15am. Address: Gneisenaustraße 104.
05/31/16 Julian Erdem Trio New York Bonafide Jazz Club United States
Time: 7:30pm. Admission: $10. Keisuke Matsuno, git | Can Olgun, piano | Julian Erdem, drums
08/06/15 Julian Erdem New York Great Hall (Shepard Hall) United States
Time: 5:30pm. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 160 Convent Ave. Jonathan Greenstein, tenor- Jakob Dreyer, bass- Julian Erdem, drums
06/27/15 Julian Erdem Hamburg Elbjazz Festival Hamburg Germany
Time: 1:00pm.

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Contact

Please contact me for booking inquiries.

julian@erdem.de
+49 176 34247280