It hosted the most important jazz artists of the world including Max Roach, Art Ensemble of Africa, Cecil Taylor, Abbey Lincoln, Dave Holland, Archie Shepp, McCoy Tyner, Henry Threadgill, Abdullah İbrahim Trio, Steve Coleman & Five Elements, Stephan Micus, Roberto Fonseca, İbrahim Maalouf, Eleni Karaindrou, Rembrandt Frerichs Trio, Enrico Rava, Mare Nostrum, Jim Rotondi, Jamie Cullum, Christian McBride, Terje Rypdall, Manu Katché, John Scofield & Joe Lovano'ın and Bill Frisell and became a witness for unforgettable performances.
The Festival became an anticipated event not only in Turkey, but also in the international platform with the artists and groups which it brings. In 2017, the festival brought nearly 300 artists and the audience together with 53 concerts. Akbank Jazz Festival, which has a gradually increasing graphic with millions of followers so far, hosted special performances for its 27th year, between November 3 and 19. Among the stars to take the stages, some of the names are; Vanessa Rubin, one of the great ambassadors of jazz in the world, Ala.Ni, whose songs have been listened over 2.5 million on digital platforms to date, Ecuadorian producer and musician Nicola Cruz, British producer and musician Bonobo, Cuban jazz pianist and composer Alfredo Rodríguez, American drummer and producer Mark Guilliana, British saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings with The Ancestors, consisting of South African musicians, and Red Baraat. The festival, which will host Kenan Doğulu and Sattas under the innovative projects section, will bring together many new Turkish talents such as Emin Fındıkoğlu, İlhan Erşahin, Baki Duyarlar, Çağıl Kaya, Çağrı Sertel and Şenay Lambaoğlu as well as talents of the new generation such as Evrencan Gündüz and Hakan Başar with music lovers.