Omar Faruk is the recipient of the “Best Artist of the Turkish Music Award 2003” from the “Turkish Writers Association”
Honored as a peacemaker and virtuoso, Omar Faruk Tekbilek is one of the most sought-after musicians, whose work transcends political boundaries while maintaining traditional sensibilities in a way few artists can manage.
Omar Faruk was a musical prodigy. He was born in Adana, Turkey, to a musical family who nurtured his precocious talents. At the age of eight, he began his musical career by developing his proficiency on the kaval, a small diatonic flute. At the same time, he studied religion with thoughts of becoming a cleric, or Imam.
His musical interests were being nurtured by his older brother and by a sympathetic uncle who owned a music store and who provided lessons. “He had a music store, and he also had another job during the day. So he told me to come after school, open the store, and – in exchange – he gave me lessons.” While working in the store, Omar Faruk learned the intricate rhythms of Turkish music, how to read scales, and other rudiments. He was trained on and eventually mastered several instruments: ney (bamboo flute), zurna (double-reed oboe-like instrument with a buzzing tone), the baglama (long-necked lute), the oud (the classic lute), as well as percussion. By the age of twelve he began performing professionally at local hot spots.
Omar Faruk’s music is rooted in tradition, but has been influenced by contemporary sounds. He views his approach as “cosmic” and his commitment to music runs deep. The four corners of his creativity emanates mysticism, folklore, romance, and imagination. Like Omar Faruk himself, his music symbolizes diversity-in-unity.
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