Multifaceted in Jazz meets composer and pianist Fahir Atakoglu in his two new CDs

Fahir Atakoğlu releases his latest CD "Live at Umbria Jazz" (Far & Here label) on January 19, which is the 17th album in Fahir's vast catalogue of music with plans for a 2016 world tour underway.

  Atakoğlu has worked to blend his own native music with sounds from the wider world, incorporating Cuban rhythms, Middle Eastern melodies, and improvisation as perfected by American jazz artists. Fahir's three previous U.S. jazz releases and his CDs have made it to #1 (three times) on the JazzWeek World Music Chart as we as charting high on the JazzWeek Jazz Chart

Fahir's Turkish melodies smoothly blend into the context of a precision-balanced, high-powered jazz trio consisting of Fahir on piano, the great Cuban drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and renown Canadian bass player Alain Caron.

In the CD liner notes, Grammy® Award winner for album notes, Neil Tesser writes "... True to his roots, Atakoğlu has used his birthright as inspiration for many of these songs.

Amongst the wide palate, 'Gypsy In Me' sounds a bit like what might have resulted had Thelonious Monk visited the Topkapi Palace...

The moody, introspective 'Connection' has a Turkish foundation, expressed in its introductory measures; but the main melody hews closer to a modern American standard, and its rhythms range from a bossa-nova tinge to a touch of tango.

'Connection' forges a bridge between east and west. More than anything else, that connection defines his music."

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This is a multi-faceted fusion of Jazz, Funk, Deephouse, Electronic and Turkish Music that are additionally interpreted by vocalists and rappers who span the musical genres that illuminates the feelings of what the Art of Banksy evoke in Fahir Atakoglu.

 The concept and script, created by Fahir is a coming together of the philosophy and Art of Banksy and the philosophy and poetry of the revered Persian Poet, Rumi.

“Musical Reflections of the Art of Banksy” was composed for “The Art of Banksy” exhibition in Istanbul.  For the recording, Fahir Atakoğlu created a 6 part 25 minute length musical composition.  The lyrics are a compilation of Rumi’s poems and Banksy quotes. 

Banksy is British graffiti artist, political activist and film director whose real identity is unknown.  His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.

Rumi is a 13th century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic.  His influence transcends national borders and ethnicities.  He has been described as the “most popular and best selling poet” in the United States.  Rumi inspires love, unity, freedom of the soul, who we are as individuals and our value and purpose in this universe.

“The Art of Banksy” exhibition in Istanbul is curated by Steven Lazarides and was organised by IEG (Istanbul Entertainment Group).

“Musical Reflections of the Art of Banksy “was recorded in Istanbul and in the U.S.A. with a combination of Turkish and American musicians and actors.

Artists, rappers & singers:  Awa Sal Secka, Theresa Cunningham, Thony Mena, Louis Davis

Musicians:  Fretless guitar & ebow,  Fatih Ahiskali – Ney, Eyup Hamis – Gazel, Bekir Unluataer, Aliye; Trumpet & Flugelhorn, Gary Winters – Saxophones, David Milzow.

All music composed, arranged and produced by Fahir Atakoğlu.

Fahir with Sertab Erener singer "La'l" in concert:

www.fahiratakoglu.com

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