Fahir Atakoglu
Encyclopedia
Fahir Atakoğlu is a Turkish
pianist
and composer
who has worked with a wide range of artists across many genres of music, ranging in style from symphonic scoring to advertising jingles. He was born in Istanbul, Turkey.
, Turkey’s famous composer, pianist, script writer, and conductor
. Atakoğlu studied under Rey from 1977-1979. He attended the Istanbul State Conservatory from 1978-1980. In 1980 he moved to London and for five years studied at both the London School of Music and Croydon College
. He earned a degree in marketing and advertising from Croydon College in 1983 and returned to Istanbul to work as a jingle composer in the advertising sector.
He has also composed music for Turkey's top bands and musicians, including Mazhar Fuat Özkan
, Sezen Aksu
, and Sertab Erener
. He also composed music for Greek musician Notis Sfakianakis
, with Atakoğlu's song Telos Dios Telos going platinum with sales over 480,000 copies.
Since 1994 Atakoğlu has recorded 10 albums which have sold over 2 million copies in 20 countries.
His 2005 album If is a collaboration featuring bass guitarist Anthony Jackson and two time grammy award
winning percussionist Horacio "EI Negro" Hernandez
.
In 2008, an album titled Istanbul In Blue has also been released in USA. The album is a wide-ranging set that at first seems like jazz/rock fusion, but also includes the influences of Turkish music, some acoustic interludes, and sections that are completely unclassifiable. The album features Atakoğlu on keyboards, Anthony Jackson on bass, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums, Mike Stern
and Wayne Krantz
on guitars and Bob Franchesini on saxophone. The album was nominated for a Grammy award in the world music category.
Atakoğlu's scoring includes the adaptation of Metin Kaçan
's novel Ağır Roman (East Side Story) into a musical which was performed locally in Turkey as well as at Hollywood's Ford Amphitheater in August 2006 by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet.
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
who has worked with a wide range of artists across many genres of music, ranging in style from symphonic scoring to advertising jingles. He was born in Istanbul, Turkey.
Early life
From the age of 7, Atakoğlu was interested in music and began playing piano and drums. Though his family intended for him to continue in the family business, his mother fostered his interest in music and through his music teacher Muzaffer Uz he was introduced to Cemal Reşit ReyCemal Resit Rey
Cemal Reşit Rey was a Turkish composer, pianist, script writer and conductor.He was born on October 25, 1904 in Jerusalem, and died on October 7, 1985 in Istanbul....
, Turkey’s famous composer, pianist, script writer, and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. Atakoğlu studied under Rey from 1977-1979. He attended the Istanbul State Conservatory from 1978-1980. In 1980 he moved to London and for five years studied at both the London School of Music and Croydon College
Croydon College
Croydon College, established in 1895, is a Further Education and Higher Education institution in the London Borough of Croydon.Located in East Croydon, it is made up of a Further Education College and a Higher Education College.- Further Education :...
. He earned a degree in marketing and advertising from Croydon College in 1983 and returned to Istanbul to work as a jingle composer in the advertising sector.
Career
From 1987 to present, Atakoğlu has created music for commercials, news segments, and documentaries via advertising agencies including Lintas, McCann Erickson, CDP Europe, Young & Rubicam, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Ogilvy & Mather. Atakoğlu acknowledges that his training in ad jingles honed his skill as a composer to create immediate context within his music.He has also composed music for Turkey's top bands and musicians, including Mazhar Fuat Özkan
MFO
-Organisation:* Maison Française d'Oxford, a French research institute based in Oxford, England* Multinational Force and Observers, an international peacekeeping force; or the related medal...
, Sezen Aksu
Sezen Aksu
Sezen Aksu is a Turkish pop music singer, song-writer and producer who sold over 40 million albums worldwide. Her nicknames include the "Queen of Turkish Pop" and Minik Serçe ....
, 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...
. He also composed music for Greek musician Notis Sfakianakis
Notis Sfakianakis
Panagiotis Sfakianakis is a Greek singer of laika music, who is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus. Sfakianakis began his career in 1985, opening at nightclubs for other artists. He was discovered by Sony Greece and released his debut album Proti Fora...
, with Atakoğlu's song Telos Dios Telos going platinum with sales over 480,000 copies.
Since 1994 Atakoğlu has recorded 10 albums which have sold over 2 million copies in 20 countries.
His 2005 album If is a collaboration featuring bass guitarist Anthony Jackson and two time grammy award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning percussionist Horacio "EI Negro" Hernandez
Horacio Hernandez
Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez is a renowned Cuban drummer and percussionist."El Negro" is a gifted musician who represents a new generation of great players following in the footsteps of countrymen Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Ignacio Berroa, and others. Hernandez plays on the cutting edge of...
.
In 2008, an album titled Istanbul In Blue has also been released in USA. The album is a wide-ranging set that at first seems like jazz/rock fusion, but also includes the influences of Turkish music, some acoustic interludes, and sections that are completely unclassifiable. The album features Atakoğlu on keyboards, Anthony Jackson on bass, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez on drums, Mike Stern
Mike Stern
Mike Stern is an American jazz guitarist. After playing for a few years with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he landed a gig with Billy Cobham and then broke through with Miles Davis' comeback band from 1981 to 1983, and again in 1985. Since then, he launched a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums...
and Wayne Krantz
Wayne Krantz
Wayne Krantz is an American jazz fusion guitarist. He has played with top artists such as Steely Dan, Michael Brecker, Billy Cobham, and others, but is most active as a solo performer.-Biography:...
on guitars and Bob Franchesini on saxophone. The album was nominated for a Grammy award in the world music category.
Atakoğlu's scoring includes the adaptation of Metin Kaçan
Metin Kaçan
Metin Kaçan is a Turkish author who is best known for his novels Ağır Roman , and Fındık Sekiz. Ağır Roman has been translated into German , and a movie , directed by Mustafa Altıoklar , was based on it...
's novel Ağır Roman (East Side Story) into a musical which was performed locally in Turkey as well as at Hollywood's Ford Amphitheater in August 2006 by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet.