A worker hammers a cymbal at a workshop in Istanbul on July 30, 2026. First used by Ottoman military "mehter" bands to frighten and demoralise the enemy, cymbals were a useful tool for an empire on the warpath. But it would take the skill of an 17th-century Armenian alchemist called Avedis Zildjian to transform them into a percussion instrument whose exotic sound would first captivate Europe's classical composers and then shape the world of jazz. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images)

A worker hammers a cymbal at a workshop in Istanbul on July 30, 2026 . First used by Ottoman military "mehter" bands to frighten and demoralise the enemy, cymbals were a useful tool for an empire on the warpath. But it would take the skill of an 17th-century Armenian alchemist called Avedis Zildjian to transform them into a percussion instrument whose exotic sound would first captivate Europe's classical composers and then shape the world of jazz. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images)

An employee works on a cymbal at a workshop in Istanbul on July 30, 2026. First used by Ottoman military "mehter" bands to frighten and demoralise the enemy, cymbals were a useful tool for an empire on the warpath. But it would take the skill of an 17th-century Armenian alchemist called Avedis Zildjian to transform them into a percussion instrument whose exotic sound would first captivate Europe's classical composers and then shape the world of jazz. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images)

A worker moves metal over a fire at a traditional workshop in Istanbul on July 30, 2026. First used by Ottoman military "mehter" bands to frighten and demoralise the enemy, cymbals were a useful tool for an empire on the warpath. But it would take the skill of an 17th-century Armenian alchemist called Avedis Zildjian to transform them into a percussion instrument whose exotic sound would first captivate Europe's classical composers and then shape the world of jazz. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images)

Workers product cymbals at a traditional workshop in Istanbul on July 30, 2026 . First used by Ottoman military "mehter" bands to frighten and demoralise the enemy, cymbals were a useful tool for an empire on the warpath. But it would take the skill of an 17th-century Armenian alchemist called Avedis Zildjian to transform them into a percussion instrument whose exotic sound would first captivate Europe's classical composers and then shape the world of jazz. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images)

Hasan Seker, a 56-year-old who co-founded Bosphorus Cymbals, poses at a traditional workshop in Istanbul on July 30, 2026. First used by Ottoman military "mehter" bands to frighten and demoralise the enemy, cymbals were a useful tool for an empire on the warpath. But it would take the skill of an 17th-century Armenian alchemist called Avedis Zildjian to transform them into a percussion instrument whose exotic sound would first captivate Europe's classical composers and then shape the world of jazz. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images)

Derin Bayhan, the drummer of the jazz band 'Emre Tankal Trio feat Duygu Argin', perform at Nardis jazz club in Istanbul on July 22, 2026. First used by Ottoman military "mehter" bands to frighten and demoralise the enemy, cymbals were a useful tool for an empire on the warpath. But it would take the skill of an 17th-century Armenian alchemist called Avedis Zildjian to transform them into a percussion instrument whose exotic sound would first captivate Europe's classical composers and then shape the world of jazz. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images)

A worker annealed metal over a fire at a traditional workshop in Istanbul on July 30, 2026 . First used by Ottoman military "mehter" bands to frighten and demoralise the enemy, cymbals were a useful tool for an empire on the warpath. But it would take the skill of an 17th-century Armenian alchemist called Avedis Zildjian to transform them into a percussion instrument whose exotic sound would first captivate Europe's classical composers and then shape the world of jazz. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP via Getty Images)