Miami International GuitART Festival: Deepak Ram & Mesut Özgen
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A cross-cultural concert bridges Indian classical traditions, Turkish musical language and jazz-inflected improvisation as part of the 2026 Miami International GuitART Festival.
This program features bansuri master Deepak Ram alongside guitarist and composer Mesut Özgen in a collaboration that moves fluidly between traditional Indian and Turkish repertoire, original works and selections inspired by the music of John Coltrane. Ram, a senior disciple of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, is internationally respected for his expressive command of Hindustani classical music and his long history of intercultural collaboration. Özgen, a composer, performer and educator whose work draws deeply from Turkish musical traditions, brings a complementary approach shaped by contemporary classical technique and global influences. Together, their performance highlights shared melodic sensibilities, rhythmic exploration and the creative potential of dialogue across musical systems.
The concert takes place Wednesday, February 18 at the Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center at Florida International University. It is part of the XI Miami International GuitART Festival, running February 15-22 and featuring daily concerts, master classes, lectures and a Luthiers Expo. A festival pass is available for access to all events at a reduced rate, and donations to the GuitART Fund support the festival’s ongoing artistic and educational programming.