A native of Turkey, Fahir Atakoğlu is an internationalaward winning composer and pianist well known in the fields of large symphonicworks, film music and jazz. His works have been performed in various musicfestivals in Europe and The United States to critical acclaim, and he is consideredone of the most outstanding pianists and composers in the world today.

Fahir was recently honoured (2015) as one of the 50Most Influential Turkish American Artists. Since 1986, Fahir has composed jingles, documentary and film music formany national and international productions. For his work in film composition, he won first prize for “DocumentaryMusic Compositions” at the Milano Film Festival as well as “OutstandingAchievement in Arts Award”, Platinum Sales awarded by EMI Greece, Telos Dios Telos for sales in excess of480,000 and he won “The Best Song Award” from the Mega Channel in Greece. Most recently Fahir Atakoğlu scored andcomposed the soundtrack of the TV Drama entitled “Magnificent Century” (“Muhtesem Yuzyil”). Fahir’s virtuosity can be furtherdemonstrated with the music that he composed for the Istanbul NationalBallet’s performance of “East Side Story”.

Also an accomplished solo artist, Fahir has released17 albums since his solo debut in 1994, and he maintains an intense internationaltouring schedule in Europe and the USA, including his recent sold out shows atthe world renowned Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, and Carnegie Hall in New YorkCity, proving his worldwide appeal.

“Live at Umbria Jazz” Fahir’s 2016 release wasrecorded live at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. It features the master musicianship of Fahiron Piano, Cuban drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, and Canadian bass playerAlain Caron. His other CD releasesinclude: If (2005); Istanbul in Blue(2007) and Faces & Places(2012). On If, Fahir is joined by legendary bassplayer Anthony Jackson and acclaimed drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez. Istanbul in Blue, features BobFranceschini, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Anthony Jackson, Wayne Krantz and MikeStern, in which he takes the listener through a deep exploration of his uniquerhythmic melodies and harmonies. As afollow-up to his hard-hitting Istanbul in Blue Fahir released Faces & Places casting a widestylistic musical net while deftly incorporating musical elements from Spain,Brazil, the Middle East and New York City into the compelling mix. Faces& Places hosts an all star ensemble featuring, John Patitucci (bass),Randy Brecker (trumpet), Bob Mintzer (sax), Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (drums),Rogerio Bocatto (percussion), Romero Lubambo (guitar), Rene Toledo (flamencoguitar) and Wayne Krantz (electric guitar).

One can understand why Istanbul in Blue charted at #1 on the JazzWeek World Music charts 2 times and on the JazzWeek Jazz chart at #15. Faces & Places also charted at #1 onthe JazzWeek World Music charts.

Fahir Atakoğlu’s compositions speak with strikingoriginality, and always remain connected to the culture of his motherland.

“ . . . One of the outstanding pianists and composers in Europe today . . .At the cutting edge of the world music.”

Ahmet Ertegun, Atlantic Records

“The depth and breadth of Atakoğlu art: his composing, arranging, and orchestration is summed up in the disc's [Live at Umbria Jazz] coda piece, "Saturday," which alternates between thundering percussiveness, precise fingering, and sumptuous lyricism in the waltz sections.”

– All About Jazz – July 8, 2016

“This [Live at Umbria Jazz] is true trio music, carefully considered and daringly presented. It possesses its own inevitable momentum and destination. A superb disc.”

–AllAbout Jazz – July 8, 2016

“Atakoğlu's playing can be described as percussive precision, a precision that extend to his careful arrangement of the bass and drum parts. These performances are no mere blowing sessions. They are carefully crafted tone poems delivered with a muscular virility and near scientific exactness. “

– All About Jazz – July 8, 2016

“Fahir Atakoğlu is a musical polyglot from Turkey, who is as at home with classical, jazz, and popular music as he is producing tunes for commercials, ambient background, and soundtracks.” – All About Jazz – July 8, 2016

· “Atakoğlu’s Live at Umbria Jazz forges abridge between East and West in a sonic summit unfettered by boundaries.” -- JazzIz– Lissette Corsa, June 2016

· “It’s easy to get lost in Turkish-Americanpianist Fahir Atakoğlu’s vertiginous compositions,characterized as they are by an unbridled elegance and billowing mystique.”

JazzIz– Lissette Corsa, June 2016

· “Throughout the set, the musicians vigorouslyintroduce influences from Afro-Cuba, the Middle East, Europe and North Americato create contemporary world jazz

of the highestcaliber.”

JazzIz– Lissette Corsa, June 2016

· “The live recording captures the magic of thesetechnically gifted musicians whose onstage chemistry transcends geographic andmusical borders.”

JazzIz – Lissette Corsa, June 2016

· “Newly released but recorded some six yearshence, the lyrically and technically adept leader is joined by rhythm sectionbad boys Caron and Hernandez, and while neither is short on subtlety or muscle,they deploy both with keen intelligence.”

JazzWise -- Mike Flynn – June 6, 2016

· Atakoglu’s fourth album, “Live at Umbria Jazz”came out recently

and it is a tour de force of jazz piano trio art. – AllAbout Jazz – Duncan Heining – May 3, 2016

· “Its (“Live at Umbria Jazz’”) tunes aremelodically complex but filled with clever hooks and delivered with a joyousabandonment by Atakoglu and Cuban drummer (Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez) andelectric bassist (Alain Caron).”

AllAbout Jazz – Duncan Heining – May 3, 2016

· “This is music that ebbs and flow organically.It is music of tension and release. But most of all, it is the sheer range ofdifferent musical experiences that Atakoglu’s brings to bear that really setshis music aside from the pack.” -- All About Jazz – Duncan Heining –May 3, 2016

· “Recorded in the Teatro Morlacchi, Perugia’swedding cake of an opera house, “Live” is one of those records that makes youwish you’d been there.”

All About Jazz – Duncan Heining – May 3,2016

“If” made for a very impressive opening statement. At times, there is almost a Mozart-like quality to some of the melodies but then the Austrian had been influenced, to a degree at least, by the Turkish music of the Mehter, the elite Turkish military bands of the Ottoman empire. -- All About Jazz – Duncan Heining – May 3, 2016

“It (“Live at Umbria Jazz”) is a summation of Atakoglu’s career to date

and a completeexpression of his virtues and values in music.”

AllAbout Jazz – Duncan Heining – May 3, 2016

· "The chemistry between Atakoglu, Caron, and Hernandez on thislive date is exemplary, and pushes the boundaries of the piano trio ensemble.They not only complement each other's improvisations, but meld into a singularcohesive unit exhibiting

ahigh standard of flamboyant musicianship on a global scale."

James Nadal, All About Jazz, March 9, 2016

· “‘Taste and feeling’ are of paramount importance and FahirAtakoglu’s piano playing flows like fragrant oil.” -- Latin Jazz Network -- Raul da Gama -- Apr 6, 2016

· “Fluent, multi-faceted and tonally-sensitive Fahir Atakoglu is atechnician of exceptional elegance and sophistication.” -- LatinJazz Network -- Raul da Gama -- April 6, 2016

· “The playing is also informed byexceedingly melodic inflection and is curvaceous, natural and discreetlysensuous; the tonal palette is unfailingly refined and the

pervasive polyphony. This entire package of accompaniment provides

considerable encouragement for the pianist enabling him topush the envelope even

further than he might have on any other occasion. Add tothat the superbly captured

sound and you have a truly unforgettable experience onrecord to enjoy again, and again ”

LatinJazz Network -- Raul da Gama -- Apr 6, 2016

Live at Umbria Jazz showcases the talent of Atakoglu and his colleagues, delivering stellar individual playing and superb musical dialog. . . . Live at Umbria Jazz combines jazz passion, vivacity and high energy rhythms served by a world class pianist.”

World Music Central, Angel Romero, March15, 2016

• “Undeniably skillful andunique” -- Jazz Times

• “Pianist Fahir Atakoglu bringsan assertive and exotic approach to the piano” -- All About Jazz

• “International award winningcomposer, Fahir Atakoglu is a much‐esteemed composer in Europe and Turkey inthe fields of large symphonic works and film music. His works have also been

performed invarious music festivals in Europe and across the United States to muchacclaim.”

ArifMardin, Producer, Composer, Arranger

• "…Moreover, Atakoglu'staped score sounded utterly at home in every style, with lush symphoniclyricism layered over invigorating folk rhythms. As in Istanbul itself, youjourneyed from

Europe to Asia andback without ever leaving a unique environment.

Lewis Segal, LA TimesStaff Writer on “East Side Story

• “Turkish‐born pianist Fahir Atakoglubrings an assertive and exotic approach to the piano trio format, blending ageographical mixture that includes the sounds of his own homeland, drummerHoracio “El Negro” Hernandez's native Cuba, and bassist Anthony Jackson's NewYork state of mind.” -- Dan McClenaghan , All About Jazz

• “Atakoglu composed all the tunes on If. A very original melodic approach flowsthrough the always interesting and often intense rhythmic drives, taking thispiano trio to places that you've

probably never been before.” DanMcClenaghan, All About Jazz

• “The result is more jawdropping music from this most awesome, brilliant, death defying pianist whodeserves a ton of wider recognition and admiration. “There's a lot to enjoy on this recording

[Istanbul inBlue] froma contemporary and historical standpoint, and as listeners

should definitelyown a copy of "If," this one shows a willingness to expand, employ

different styles,and bodes well for Atakoglu's next adventurous excursion.”

Michael Nastos, All MusicGuide

• “The album Istanbul in Blue closes with the nostalgically haunting title track that'selegant and simple in the coming together of its diverse parts‐at once areflection of Istanbul and a

nod to thetimeless city that stands as Atakoglu's eternal source of inspiration.”

Lissette Corsa. JazzIz

• “There's music encapsulatedhere to suit varied taste and that’s because of Atakoglu’s expansive pianoexpertise. He has the ability to make his instrument sound classical oneminute,

traditional jazzthe next and even at times there are saloon type

ragtime nuancesthat slip in for good measure.”

Asha Small, JazzReview.com

• “Intriguing collaborationbetween stellar set of fusioneers and a composer who’s at home in the east andwest and both the commercial and art world...” Andy Robson, JazzWise,England

• “It is that inherently lustfulquality balanced with good common sense and spectacular musicianship thatidentifies Faces & Places as a pure personal statement,and a continuing novel

with the diversityFahir Atakoglu has always enjoyed. It's a beautiful statement of

contemporary jazzfrom top to bottom, deserving of high accolades, and anyone's highrecommendation.” Michael Nastos, All MusicGuide

• “A strong soloist, with an arranger’s earfor development and form, Atakoglu’s writing also sounds particularly deft atmanipulating tension, energy and textural variations…

Perhaps reflecting bothpersonal experience as well as Turkey’s position as a cultural crossroad,

a certain Middle Easternrhythm in Atakoglu’s music is not far from, for example,

Brazilian samba, flamenco orgritty New York City jazz funk.”

Fernando Gonzalez,International Review Of Music

• "Faces and Places" simply intoxicates the listener with akaleidoscopic masterpiece of moods, colors and textures. It's a killer CD froma killer group.” Alonzo Veston , stjoenews.net

• “In Faces & Places hismusic is just so chock full of energy and chops that you wonder how come thiskind of stuff isn’t played more often… Music that energizes like a Duracell!”

George W. Harris,jazzweekly.com

Education

Croydon College, University of London

Higher National Diploma in Marketing, Advertising 1980-1983

London School of Music Composition / Workshops 1981-1983

Private Tutoring Cemal Resit REY 1977-1980 Composition, Orchestration, Piano

Awards

50 Most Influential Turkish American Award- by TOA

2006 November, Man of Outstanding accomplishment Award

Given by Daughters of ATATURK

2006 November, ATAA

Outstanding Achievement in arts Award

Platinum Sales Award My EMI Greece

(Telos Dios Telos) for sales in excess of 480.000

2002, Mega Channel Greece

Best song Award (Telos Dios Telos)

2000, MIlano Film Festival

First Prize for Documentary - *Exile in Buyukada*

1997-1998, Finalist Award

Flora-Marshall Boya also Finalist Award "Duru" commercial

1996-1997, Crystal Apple Award

Best Jingle, "Yarina Dort Isik" for Garanti Bank

1996, Finalist Award

For the music of "Duru Sabunlari '96

1995-1996, “Crystal Apple” Award

Best Jingle, “Renault Laguna” Theme

1995, TV commercials '95

Finalist Award -“Toyota Corolla”

1994-1995, Crystal Apple Award

Best Jingle, "Milliyet" Corporate Theme

1995, Gold Screen Award

Best Original Score for the documentary 12Mart

1994, London International Advertising Awards

Finalist Award "Traffic Campaign"

1982, South London Jazz Federation Jazz Talent and Composition Contest 1st runner up

Professional memberships

MSG Turkish Copyright Association Member as Writer, Publisher, Arranger, Producer

BUMA/STEMRA (NL) All rights worldwide.

Voting Member of NARAS (The Recording Academy, GRAMMY)