Behind the Jazz: How a Live Studio Performance Brought Music and Community Together
By Jiayue Zou
Since 2005, Turkish-American Television (TATV) has been dedicated to spotlighting Turkish-American culture across North America. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, TATV hosted a live studio performance featuring jazz musicians Zulfugar Baghirov on saxophone and Koray Ergunay on bass. The event was recorded for the Turkish-American Hour television program and included a live studio audience—a rare treat for the production team.
VIDEO: COURTNEY VELASCO
“This is a rare opportunity for us to have musicians and a live studio audience. It’s something that took us out of our comfort zone,” said Hurriyet Ok, technical director for the production and producer of TATV.
A Team Effort Behind the Scenes
The production brought together 12 volunteers with a range of expertise, including camera operation, stage management, audio engineering, lighting design, guest coordination and hospitality, and behind-the-scenes photography and social media coordination. It was a collaborative effort, combining the experience of seasoned professionals with the enthusiasm of first-time volunteers, including high school students.
To assemble the team, Hurriyet Ok reached out to the Fairfax Public Access (FPA) Training Department for support.
“I contacted the Training Department to ask for help reaching out to volunteers for the show,” Ok shared. “We were fortunate to bring together a great group of certified members and high school students, all of whom played an important role in the success of this production.”
FPA also contributed irreplaceable efforts to the production of this live show.
“FPA is a non-profit organization where we produce our TV shows,” Ok said. “It’s a fantastic facility equipped with the latest TV production equipment, giving volunteers and independent producers like us the tools we need to create professional programming.”
Once the team was assembled, the next challenge was organizing this monumental production within a short timeframe.
“We put the show together in just a few weeks with carefully planned meetings,” Ok said. “We laid out how we were going to execute this. We’re not experts; we are all volunteers doing our best to create a professional TV show. We haven’t done a production of this size before.”
PHOTO: JIAYUE ZOU
Musicians Take the Lead
Baghirov and Ergunay played a key role in the production, not only as performers but also behind the scenes.
“They’re the ones who approached us to use the studio for a show,” Ok shared. “They even agreed to having a live studio audience, which added to the experience. With their knowledge of audio technology, we were able to do this with less effort on our side.”
In addition to performing, the musicians used the recording session to lay down tracks for their upcoming album.
“It’s very exciting to be a part of the recording of their new album,” said Courtney Velasco, the MC for the event. “When we listen to it once it’s released, we’ll know we were a part of it, and that’s really cool.”
The Role of the MC
Velasco, a longtime host of the Turkish-American Hour, took on the role of MC for this special event.
“I’ve been hosting Turkish-American Television for about six years, but this was my first time MCing a live performance,” Velasco said. “I’m not unfamiliar with being in front of the camera or live audiences, but I’ve never been part of a live musical performance before. The energy in the air was palpable.”
Her responsibilities included welcoming the audience, introducing the performers, and concluding the show.
“One of the biggest joys I have in life is sharing knowledge and things I believe in,” Velasco said. “I really love Turkish culture, so it’s an easy fit for me to educate people and explore it with others.”
PHOTO: LARA GECENER
The Role of the Floor Director in Studio Production
The Floor Director plays a vital role in any studio production, acting as the bridge between the control room and the studio floor. They are responsible for relaying instructions from the director to the crew and performers, ensuring the production stays on schedule, and maintaining order on set.
“For a live recording like this, the Floor Director is key to keeping everyone in sync,” said Erkan Polat, who regularly serves as Floor Director for productions. “I am the bridge between the booth and the cast and crew in the studio. I had to listen for cues to relay to the performers, guided the volunteers, kept us on schedule—and yes, even reminded the audience when to clap.”
Inspiring Future Productions
As TATV celebrates 20 years of sharing Turkish-American culture, the success of the jazz performance has inspired the team to pursue more live events.
“The volunteers were great; everybody did their part,” Ok said. “We want to use this opportunity to learn and create similar shows in the future.”
The Zulfugar & Koray Jazz Duo performance was a testament to TATV’s mission of building community and showcasing the richness of Turkish-American culture.
A Unique Experience for Guests
The live studio recording was a memorable experience for the audience, many of whom were attending a TV production for the first time.
“This was such a unique experience,” said one guest. “Being part of a live TV studio audience gave me a new appreciation for all the work behind the scenes.”
“Watching Zulfugar and Koray perform up close in an intimate setting like this was unforgettable,” another attendee added.
From the behind-the-scenes action to the duo’s captivating performance, the evening left a lasting impression.