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Fahir Atakoglu

A native of Turkey, Fahir Atakoğlu is an international award winning composer and pianist well known in the fields of large symphonic works, film music and jazz. His works have been performed in various music festivals in Europe and The United States to critical acclaim, and he is considered one of the most outstanding pianists and composers in the world today.

Fahir was recently honoured (2015) as one of the 50 Most Influential Turkish American Artists. Since 1986, Fahir has composed jingles, documentary and film music for many national and international productions. For his work in film composition, he won first prize for “Documentary Music Compositions” at the Milano Film Festival as well as “Outstanding Achievement in Arts Award”, Platinum Sales awarded by EMI Greece, Telos Dios Telosfor sales in excess of 480,000 and he won “The Best Song Award” from the Mega Channel in Greece. Most recently Fahir Atakoğlu scored and composed the soundtrack of the TV Drama entitled “Magnificent Century” (“Muhtesem Yuzyil”). Fahir’s virtuosity can be further demonstrated with the music that he composed for the Istanbul National Ballet’s performance of“East Side Story”.

Also an accomplished solo artist, Fahir has released 17 albums since his solo debut in 1994, and he maintains an intense international touring schedule in Europe and the USA, including his recent sold out shows at the world renowned Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, and Carnegie Hall in New York City, proving his worldwide appeal.

“Live at Umbria Jazz” Fahir’s 2016 release was recorded live at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. It features the master musicianship of Fahir on Piano, Cuban drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, and Canadian bass player Alain Caron. His other CD releases include: If(2005); Istanbul in Blue(2007) and Faces & Places(2012). On If, Fahir is joined by legendary bass player Anthony Jackson and acclaimed drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez. Istanbul in Blue,features Bob Franceschini, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Anthony Jackson, Wayne Krantz and Mike Stern, in which he takes the listener through a deep exploration of his unique rhythmic melodies and harmonies. As a follow-up to his hard-hitting Istanbul in BlueFahir released Faces & Placescasting a wide stylistic musical net while deftly incorporating musical elements from Spain, Brazil, the Middle East and New York City into the compelling mix. Faces & Placeshosts an all star ensemble featuring, John Patitucci (bass), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Bob Mintzer (sax), Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (drums), Rogerio Bocatto (percussion), Romero Lubambo (guitar), Rene Toledo (flamenco guitar) and Wayne Krantz (electric guitar). One can understand why Istanbul in Bluecharted at #1 on the JazzWeek World Musiccharts 2 times and on the JazzWeek Jazz chart at #15. Faces & Placesalso charted at #1 on the JazzWeek World Music charts.

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Radio & Podcasts

Recent releases, Jazz Funk and much more

Read "Recent releases, Jazz Funk and much more" reviewed by Len Davis


Music from Turkish pianist Fahir Atakoglu from his album If, Italian bassist Alberto Rigoni, Billy Cobham, and a jazz funk section featuring Phat Funktion, Tower Of Power and Otis McDonald. We finish with Return To Forever. Playlist Fahir Atakoglu “If" from If (Far & Here Music) 00:00 Daisuke Kunita “Flat Line" from In My Life (So-Kyo Records) 06:17 Alberto Rigoni “Back To Life" from EvoRevolution (AR Music) 12:35 Billy Cobham “Roller" from Drum n' Voice (Nicolosi Productions) 18:46 ...

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Album Review

Fahir Atakoglu: For Love

Read "For Love" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Veteran international recording artist Fahir Atakoglu delivers his eighteenth album as leader with the audacious For Love, an album which he proclaims: “ ... Is all about love." And he believes “Everything depends on love." A native of Turkey, this Turkish-American artist is an award-winning composer and pianist whose long and distinguished career has included writing for television, films and documentaries. This exceptional recording was purposely designed with a foreign flavor in mind, revealing a varied repertoire that blends musical ...

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Album Review

Fahir Atakoglu: Live At Umbria Jazz

Read "Live At Umbria Jazz" reviewed by Jakob Baekgaard


It is fascinating how different cultures can merge in music. Turkish-born pianist Fahir Atakoglu's trio is a fine example of a group where influences from around the world meet in original compositions that speak the international language of music. Atakoglu brings his advanced understanding of meter and melody to his compositions and drummer Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez adds a bit of Cuban spice with his rhythms. French-Canadian bassist Alain Caron's creamy electric bass is the final ingredient ...

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Profile

Fahir Atakoglu: Istanbul Blues

Read "Fahir Atakoglu: Istanbul Blues" reviewed by Duncan Heining


The history of jazz has been one of fusion. Its musicians and composers have continually drawn upon a huge range of different musics to create the rich and diverse tapestry that is world jazz today. Jazz is an evolving tradition of music-making. And how often, in the life stories of individual jazz musicians, do we see these same patterns operating at microcosm? When it comes to the music of Turkish-born pianist-composer Fahir Atakoglu, we might define it broadly ...

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Album Review

Fahir Atakoglu: Live At Umbria Jazz

Read "Live At Umbria Jazz" reviewed by James Nadal


The globalization of jazz has not only garnered an expansive audience for the music, but has also brought worldwide artists into the genre, bringing with them unique cultural distinctions and dimensions. The Italian city of Umbria is home to the esteemed Teatro Morlachi, where in 2010, pianist Fahir Atakoglu recorded Live At Umbria Jazz an adrenaline charged set of precision and emotion. Turkish born Atakoglu is joined by Canadian electric bass virtuoso Alain Caron, and Cuban master drummer Horacio “El ...

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Album Review

Fahir Atakoglu / Horacio Hernandez / Anthony Jackson: If

Read "If" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


If is such a short and simple title for a CD, and this one features a piano trio performing the music in a simple configuration: piano/bass/drums. But nothing's ever as simple as it seems. The classic piano trio offerings range from quirky, angular and oddly logical Thelonious Monk sets to the bounce of Bud Powell, the introspection and almost surreal, delicate beauty of Bill Evans, the powerhouse attack of McCoy Tyner, and more.Turkish-born pianist Fahir Atakoglu brings an ...

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Recording

Fahir Atakoğlu New Release For Love Featuring Vocalists Buika, Luciana Souza, Letizia Gambi & Aimée Allen!

Fahir Atakoğlu New Release For Love Featuring Vocalists Buika, Luciana Souza, Letizia Gambi & Aimée Allen!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

An unrepentant romantic, Turkish-American pianist-composer-arranger Fahir Atakoğlu is all-in For Love (Far & Here, LLC) on his 18th album as a leader. A visionary undertaking that blends musical elements from Turkey, Spain, Italy, the Middle East, Cuba and Brazil while revealing touches of American jazz in the freewheeling improvisations heard throughout, For Love also carries the majestic sweep of symphonic polyphony in Fahir's stirring string orchestrations. With world-class musicians in American saxophonist Bob Franceschini, Canadian bassist Alain Caron, Turkish percussionist ...

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Performance / Tour

Fahir Atakoğlu: The 'Music Of Hope Tour' At Merkin Hall - March 12 - All-Star Band And String Section!

Fahir Atakoğlu: The 'Music Of Hope Tour' At Merkin Hall - March 12 - All-Star Band And String Section!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Fahir Atakoğlu: The Music of Hope Tour 2020. The Music of Hope Tour is dedicated to all of the refugees in the world. Personnel Fahir Atakoğlu: piano Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez: drums Armando Gola; bass Bob Franceschini: saxophone Letizia Gambi: vocalist Estrella Acosta: vocalist Plus a 16 Piece String Orchestra! Conductor Saadi Zain March 12. One Night Only! Merkin Hall 129 W 67th St ...

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Performance / Tour

Letizia Gambi With Special Guests: Lenny White, Fahir Atakoglu, Dave Stryker & More At Blues Alley On January 29th

Letizia Gambi With Special Guests: Lenny White, Fahir Atakoglu, Dave Stryker & More At Blues Alley On January 29th

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Letizia Gambi with Special Guests: Lenny White, Fahir Atakoglu, Dave Stryker, Jisoo Ok and Ollie Bomann! Blues Alley January 29, 2020 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM One Night Only! Blues Alley 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. Letizia Gambi's music is a combination of her Italian-Neapolitan roots with the heritage of Black American Jazz. It is a “cultural fusion", her January 29, 2020 performance at Blues Alley will feature a ...

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Recording

Fahir Atakoglu's "Live At Umbria Jazz" Featuring Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez & Alain Caron

Fahir Atakoglu's "Live At Umbria Jazz" Featuring Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez & Alain Caron

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Fahir Atakoğlu's Live at Umbria Jazz Featuring Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez and Alain Caron Release Date: January 19, 2016 New 2016 Release Integrates Cuban Rhythms & Middle Eastern Melodies—World Tour Planned 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 ...

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Performance / Tour

Fahir Atakoglu Returns to Drom NYC

Fahir Atakoglu Returns to Drom NYC

Source: Carol Green, Redwood Entertainment

New York, NY: By popular demand legendary Jazz composer/pianist Fahir Atakoğlu will be returning to play live at Drom in New York City on October 5, 2011 at 8:00 PM. Rendering music from his critically acclaimed U.S. Jazz CD releases, If, Istanbul in Blue and his latest CD, Faces & Places—and having reached #1 on the JazzWeek World Music Charts three times!—Fahir will be performing at Drom with internationally renowned musicians Alain Caron on bass and Cuban drummer Horacio “El ...

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Performance / Tour

Legendary Jazz Pianist & Composer Fahir Atakoglu at Drom (NYC) on December 16

Legendary Jazz Pianist & Composer Fahir Atakoglu at Drom (NYC) on December 16

Source: Carol Green, Redwood Entertainment

New York, NY—Legendary Jazz composer Fahir Atakoğlu will be performing live on December 16, 2010 at 9:00 PM at Drom in New York City in support of his latest CD, Faces & Places—which has reached #1 on the JazzWeek World Music Charts. Fahir will be performing at Drom with the internationally renowned musicians bassist Anthony Jackson and Cuban drummer Horatio “el Negro" Hernandez. Born in Istanbul, award-winning composer and pianist Fahir Atakoğlu is well known for his ambitious symphonic works ...

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Performance / Tour

Fahir Atakoglu to be Featured with Legendary Turkish Pop Singer-Songwriter Sezen Aksu

Fahir Atakoglu to be Featured with Legendary Turkish Pop Singer-Songwriter Sezen Aksu

Source: DL Media

Sunday, April 4: The Music Center at Strathmore,North Bethesda, Maryland Tuesday, April 6: Carnegie Hall,New York, New York Wednesday, April 7: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, New Jersey DL Media announces performance dates for Turkish pianist, composer, and arranger Fahir Atakoglu alongside legendary pop singer-songwriter, Sezen Aksu.“In our musical journey, we wrote songs together. Sezen Aksu wrote lyrics to my melodies that have become hits in Turkey and all ...

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Recording

Fahir Atakoglu's "Faces and Places" with Randy Brecker, John Patitucci, Wayne Krantz, Bob Mintzer and more

Fahir Atakoglu's "Faces and Places" with Randy Brecker, John Patitucci, Wayne Krantz, Bob Mintzer and more

Source: DL Media

Fahir Atakoglu's Faces & Places available January 5 -- features Randy Brecker, John Patitucci, Wayne Krantz, Bob Mintzer, Romero Lubambo and Horacio “El Negro" Hernandez

A highly regarded figure in his native Turkey since the 1990s, pianist-composer-arranger Fahir Atakoglu is only beginning to make his mark on stateside audiences. His latest offering, the compelling world-jazz project Faces and Places , may be the breakthrough album to finally gain him widespread acclaim here. Boasting an all-star cast of trumpeter ...

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Review by Michael G. Nastos

For his sixth recording, Turkish born pianist Fahir Atakoglu has gone retro, recalling the '80s contemporary New York City/Seventh Avenue South neo-bop, skunk funk, and fusion of the Brecker Brothers and Steps/Steps Ahead. Playing exclusively acoustic and not electric piano, he also employs the quite different sounding electric guitarists Mike Stern or Wayne Krantz on alternating tracks, adding Michael Brecker disciple Bob Franceschini, electric bass guitar pioneer Anthony Jackson, and the dynamic drummer Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. Atakoglu attains the sound he seeks quite easily, a bit derivative, but exciting and refreshingly done some 25 years after the fact

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

For Love

Far&Here
2020

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Por Amor

Far&Here
2020

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Musical Reflections...

Self Produced
2016

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Iz

Self Produced
2008

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Videos

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