Planet Berlin: A Turk's passion for jazz
Sedal Sardan runs Berlin's most renowned jazz club boasting an international line-up that has included the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock and Diana Krall.
From court to stage
Have come to Berlin in 1974 with his parents, Sedal Sardan (r) was actually a basketball pro before he accidentally stumbled into a jazz club and fell in love with the music. After taking over the fledgling A-Trane in 1997, he quickly built it into one of Europe's premiere jazz venues. Sardan was honored in 2013 with a German Echo Music Prize for his work as a jazz music promoter.
Intimate space
The A-Trane can accommodate a maximum of 100 guests around a compact stage that manages to create an intimate jazz club atmosphere. One magazine named it the best venue to watch jazz concerts six years running. A-Trane is open daily with a constantly changing program.
Jazz legends
Across more than 20 years running A-Trane, Sedal Sardan has witnessed countless performances from young upcomers and global jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall and Larry Coryell. One spectacular concert by Herbie Hancock is especially well-remembered, a dedicated photo of Sardan with the legendary pianist taking pride of place in the venue.
Studio-quality sound
A-Trane is also known for its excellent acoustics, so it's no wonder that many albums have been recorded there. From the outside, the club on the ground floor of a residential building appears rather ordinary. But the previous owner incorporated a lot of acoustic know-how: Built as a room within a room, the club boasts a cushioned floor and walls lined with pliable wood for superior sound.