Tekbilek charms Spanish People with Sufi music

Turkish Press - Plymouth, MI, U.S.A.
Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Worldwide famous Turkish musician Omer Faruk Tekbilek gave a concert at the Albeniz Theatre in Spanish capital Madrid on Wednesday during the 6th Madrid Festival.
He received a standing ovation from his Spanish audience.

In an interview with the A.A, Tekbilek said, ''music is a universal language. It can be the best instrument to encourage tolerance and understanding between cultures.''

Tekbilek will also give concerts in Spanish cities of Ferroz, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valencia, Cadiz, and Granada.

55-year-old Turkish musician is considered one of the most sought-after musicians, whose work transcends political boundaries while maintaining traditional sensibilities in a way few artists can manage.

He has mastered several Anatolian instruments such as ney (bamboo flute), zurna (double-reed oboe like instrument with buzzing tone), baglama (long-necked lute), oud (the classic lute), as well as percussion.

A multi-instrumentalist, he has collaborated with a number of leading musicians of international repute such as jazz trumpeter Don Cherry, keyboard player Karl Berger, ex-Cream rock drummer 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.

Tekbilek is the recipient of the ''Best Artist of the Turkish Music Award 2003'' from the Turkish Writers Association, and of the U.S. Golden Belly Musician-Of-The-Year-Award, for 1998 and again, for 1999.