Akylbek Serkebaev hails from Kadji Sai village in Issyk-Kul oblast, Kyrgyzstan. Mr. Serkebaev graduated from the State Music College in Prjevalsk, Kyrgyzstan in 1981, specializing in the Kyrgyz folk music instrument kyyak, where he also worked as the director of an independent folk music instruments orchestra and as a teacher of a Children’s Music School at the college.
Over the next 5 years, Mr. Serkebaev taught at the Kyrgz State Institute of Arts in Bishkek, and toured as a concert performer. From 1994-1997, he served as a musician in the Songs and Dances Music Group at the Central Army House in Bishkek. In 2002, he founded and began directing the award winning Kut Family Band.
His gifts as a teacher was widely recognized, leading him to teach komuz and kyl-kyyak at the Republican Secondary Music Boarding School from 1984-1991, general music courses at the Middle School of Ton village in Issyk-Kul oblast from 1991-1994, the national Kyrgyz musical instruments such as the komuz, kyl-kyyak, chopo choor at the Children’s Music School of Tamga village in Issyk-Kul oblast from 1997-2002, and finally as Director of the Music School of Bokonbaevo village in Issyk-Kul oblast from 2002-2005. Today, he still teaches the komuz, kyl-kyyak, and chopo-choor as singing classes on national Kyrgyz songs in Bokonbaevo village.
Winner of the International Festival of Popular, Folklore Music and Dances “Issyk-Kol 2000 – Osh azem tundoru 2000” as well the Second Traditional Republic-wide Contest of National Art “El ichi – onor kenchi” (Kut family band), Mr. Serkebaev also won first place for performing on rare musical instruments at the International Folklore TV Festival “Talas tanshyit”, and also at the National Contest of Art “El ichi – onor kenchi” for performing Kyrgyz national songs.
His other titles of distinction include a Diploma of the 2nd level from the International TV Festival “Talas tanshyit”, a laureate title from the International TV Festival “Talas tanshyit” (Kut family band), a laureate title from the YI Republican Contest of Young Musicians-Performers; and a Diploma of the 2nd level from the YI Republican Contest of Young Musicians-Performers of Kyrgyz SSR.
Mr. Serkebaev has performed at “Culture and Jenijok” a Kyrgyz republic-wide contest, the “Kubulju menin yrlarym” concert as well as toured abroad to perform at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in the United States of America.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
