California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Public Programs will presents Omar Faruk Tekbilek Ensemble: Sacred Music of Turkey and the Middle East on Thursday, April 30, 8:00 PM, at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco.
Tekbilek, honored not only for his musical talents but also as a peacemaker, possesses an openness to music from all cultures that positions him an artist who transcends political obstacles while maintaining traditional sensibilities. He is considered a virtuoso on several instruments and a master of dozens more.
In a time when so many religious and cultural identities are thought to be in conflict Omar Faruk makes a point of crossing multiple boundaries and truly representing those who are not typically heard from in the mainstream media. “In a time when so many religious and cultural identities are thought to be in conflict,” says Public Programs Director Karim Baer, “Omar Faruk makes a point of crossing multiple boundaries and truly representing those who are not typically heard from in the mainstream media.”
Hailing from the southern Turkish city of Adana, multi-instrumentalist Omar Faruk Tekbilek is a virtuoso on several instruments, including the nay (bamboo flute), zurna (double-reed oboe-like instrument), baglama (long-necked lute), and percussion.
Tekbilek has collaborated with a number of internationally acclaimed musicians including Don Cherry, Karl Berger, Ginger Baker, Ofra Haza, Simon Shaheen, Hossam Ramzy, Glen Velez, Bill Laswell, Mike Mainieri, Peter Erskine, Trilok Gurtu, Jai Uttal, and Steve Shehan, among others, and he has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls. A brilliant interpreter of Sufi, folk, and contemporary music of the Middle East, he has recorded ten critically acclaimed CDs. His numerous accolades include a 2003 Best Artist of Turkish Music award from the Turkish Writers Association and a nomination for a 2003 BBC World Music Award. He has also contributed to numerous film and TV scores.
Buy Omar Faruk Tekbilek CDs: Tree of Patience., Mystical Garden, Whirling, Crescent Moon, One Truth, Fire Dance, Gypsy Fire, Dance into Eternity: Selected Pieces 1987-1998, The Best of the Sultans, World Resonance – Cross Cultural Interpretations, and Rare Elements
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
