Demir Demirkan
Encyclopedia
Demir Demirkan is a Turkish musician, Eurovision Song Contest
winning composer, formerly guitarist
for thrash metal band Mezarkabul
. Demir Demirkan started his music life when he was 13 and played guitar with various groups in college. Demir Demirkan also wrote television jingles and composed soundtracks for television and films.
, based in Istanbul and wrote and played guitar in the group’s second album, Trail Blazer.
In 1992, he moved to Los Angeles where he studied with and Scott Henderson
, Frank Gambale
and Paul Hanson
who founded the MI-Musician’s Institute.
In 1996, he moved back to Istanbul and worked as a producer, guitarist and composer for various artists such as Sebnem Ferah
and Sertab Erener
. Demir rejoined Mezarkabul again in 1997 and recorded the Anatolia album.
as songwriter and guitarist. In 1992, he studied at Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles with Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, and MI founder Paul Hanson, also playing studio and live gigs.
In 2000 Demir released his eponymous initial solo album with Sony Music. His albums Dunya Benim (The World is Mine) and Istanbul 2004 followed in 2002 and 2004. The latter sold in 11 European countries after his successful tour with Mike Tramp (Whitelion).
The songs Demir wrote for Sertab Erener
were widely accepted in Europe and Turkey. One of these songs, “Every Way That I Can,” won the first prize in the 2003 Eurovision Song Competition and sold 400,000 units worldwide.
Demir Demirkan also wrote television jingles and composed soundtracks for television and films. One of the more remarkable works of Demir Demirkan was the music he composed for the documentary about Gallipoli/Gelibolu in 2005. That soundtrack involved ethnical strings recorded in Turkey and classical melodies recorded by a symphonic orchestra and choir in the Czech Republic. It was released in Turkey and Australia.
Demir Demirkan and Sertab Erener
embarked on the international project Painted on Water together. This innovative work entitled Ebru was co-produced by Demir and Jay Newland, a multi- Grammy-winning-producer (Norah Jones’ “Come Away with Me”)
, and released on Motéma Music
.
His Los Angeles experience informed the current project in several ways, not least the fact that “the L.A. vibe is great for art,” Demirkan says. “Every day when I was studying in Hollywood, I passed A&M Studios, and I wanted to record an album there. When we were ready to record Painted on Water, we had to search for them because they’d changed to their name to Hanson. Every time I passed by, I promised myself I’d get there and record, so it was a great moment, a dream came true.”
Demir Demirkan continues his solo career in Turkey.
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
winning composer, formerly guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
for thrash metal band Mezarkabul
Mezarkabul
Mezarkabul is a Turkish metal band formed by Hakan Utangaç and Cenk Ünnü. Mezarkabul is known for integrating Anatolian elements into their music. Mezarkabul means 'accepting the grave', or literally 'grave accept' in Turkish....
. Demir Demirkan started his music life when he was 13 and played guitar with various groups in college. Demir Demirkan also wrote television jingles and composed soundtracks for television and films.
Early life and influences
Demir Demirkan started his music life when he was 13 and played guitar with various groups in college. In 1990, Demir joined a heavy/rock group, MezarkabulMezarkabul
Mezarkabul is a Turkish metal band formed by Hakan Utangaç and Cenk Ünnü. Mezarkabul is known for integrating Anatolian elements into their music. Mezarkabul means 'accepting the grave', or literally 'grave accept' in Turkish....
, based in Istanbul and wrote and played guitar in the group’s second album, Trail Blazer.
In 1992, he moved to Los Angeles where he studied with and Scott Henderson
Scott Henderson
Scott Henderson is a fusion and blues guitarist best known for his work with the band Tribal Tech.-Early days:Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Henderson began playing guitar at an early age...
, Frank Gambale
Frank Gambale
Frank Gambale is an Australian jazz fusion guitarist. He has released eleven studio albums over a period of more than two decades, and is renowned for his use of the sweep picking and economy picking techniques.-Recording career:...
and Paul Hanson
Paul Hanson
Paul Hanson is an American jazz bassoonist, saxophonist, and duduk player.He received a bachelor of music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a student of San Francisco Symphony Orchestra principal bassoonist Stephen Paulson....
who founded the MI-Musician’s Institute.
In 1996, he moved back to Istanbul and worked as a producer, guitarist and composer for various artists such as Sebnem Ferah
Sebnem Ferah
Şebnem Ferah is a Turkish singer and song-writer. She was the head vocalist of the all-female hard rock band Volvox until 1994, after which she went on to pursue an illustrious solo career...
and Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener is a Turkish pop music singer and also a cross-over soprano with a vocal range that extends to high F. She is one of the most successful female Turkish pop singers in her homeland, and is considered one of the divas of Turkish pop music...
. Demir rejoined Mezarkabul again in 1997 and recorded the Anatolia album.
Career
Demirkan played his first guitar at age 13, and attained national stardom in 1990 when he joined the Istanbul heavy rock group MezarkabulMezarkabul
Mezarkabul is a Turkish metal band formed by Hakan Utangaç and Cenk Ünnü. Mezarkabul is known for integrating Anatolian elements into their music. Mezarkabul means 'accepting the grave', or literally 'grave accept' in Turkish....
as songwriter and guitarist. In 1992, he studied at Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles with Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, and MI founder Paul Hanson, also playing studio and live gigs.
In 2000 Demir released his eponymous initial solo album with Sony Music. His albums Dunya Benim (The World is Mine) and Istanbul 2004 followed in 2002 and 2004. The latter sold in 11 European countries after his successful tour with Mike Tramp (Whitelion).
The songs Demir wrote for Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener is a Turkish pop music singer and also a cross-over soprano with a vocal range that extends to high F. She is one of the most successful female Turkish pop singers in her homeland, and is considered one of the divas of Turkish pop music...
were widely accepted in Europe and Turkey. One of these songs, “Every Way That I Can,” won the first prize in the 2003 Eurovision Song Competition and sold 400,000 units worldwide.
Demir Demirkan also wrote television jingles and composed soundtracks for television and films. One of the more remarkable works of Demir Demirkan was the music he composed for the documentary about Gallipoli/Gelibolu in 2005. That soundtrack involved ethnical strings recorded in Turkey and classical melodies recorded by a symphonic orchestra and choir in the Czech Republic. It was released in Turkey and Australia.
Demir Demirkan and Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener
Sertab Erener is a Turkish pop music singer and also a cross-over soprano with a vocal range that extends to high F. She is one of the most successful female Turkish pop singers in her homeland, and is considered one of the divas of Turkish pop music...
embarked on the international project Painted on Water together. This innovative work entitled Ebru was co-produced by Demir and Jay Newland, a multi- Grammy-winning-producer (Norah Jones’ “Come Away with Me”)
Come Away with Me (song)
"Come Away with Me" is a song written by the female jazz/folk singer Norah Jones for her 2002 debut album Come Away with Me. It is also the title track of the album. The song did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did place number 21 on the US Adult Top 40...
, and released on Motéma Music
Motéma Music
Motéma Music is an American record label focused on jazz and world music, as well as other creative projects by virtuosic musicians who also compose. It was founded by Jana Herzen in 2003, and is now based in Harlem, New York City...
.
His Los Angeles experience informed the current project in several ways, not least the fact that “the L.A. vibe is great for art,” Demirkan says. “Every day when I was studying in Hollywood, I passed A&M Studios, and I wanted to record an album there. When we were ready to record Painted on Water, we had to search for them because they’d changed to their name to Hanson. Every time I passed by, I promised myself I’d get there and record, so it was a great moment, a dream came true.”
Demir Demirkan continues his solo career in Turkey.