BAKİ DUYARLAR
Turkish pianist Baki Duyarlar (1967-Istanbul), who is considered to be one of the greatest performers in Europe, presents his high quality music with his extraordinary talent. Though he prefers to record his original music, he also performs a wide variety of tunes on stage. Since Duyarlar, as a composer, does not restict himself to one particular style, he has managed to create his own language in music, which is evocative and harmonic. The compositions that he writes with his fresh and creative perspective do not disregard tradition and carry on the spirits of old times. Baki Duyarlar, who has earned his rightful place among important jazz musicians in Turkey, also casts his spell on his audience.
International music group “Baki Duyarlar OnQ Band” features bass master, the inventive Kai Eckhardt on electricbass, the precise and creative Sean Rickman, and Stanislav Mitrovic, who expands his saxsophone mastery with electronics special effects on ewi. OnQ Band, which has always welcomed musicians from different countries, has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s top bands between jazz and funk. The music ranges from electric ballads to hard core uptempo beats and spaced out moods, with Turkish-music-influenced odd meters. It is a band that sweeps the audience away.
Baki Duyarlar has been active on stage in a wide variety of ensembles, created by himself, all over the years. One of the two ensembles that he works with now is “It Trio” which features the young talent Ahmet Türkmenoğlu on bass guitar, and with his adventuorus style, Ediz Hafızoğlu on drums.This trio that performs acoustic music with such warmth and wit has a repertoire embracing a wide range from contemporary jazz compositions, world music to occasional standards.
In each performance and recording with a multitude of other formations, Duyarlar has shown his versatility. His musical talent, easy-going attitude and great sense of humour have brought him to play with national and international artists such as Randy Brecker, Ada Rovatti, Brian Lynch, Eric Vloeimans, Dick de Graff, Erkan Oğur, Bülent Ortaçgil, Derya Turkan and many, many others.
His musical collaborations have taken Baki Duyarlar abroad many times. With diverse artists and ensembles he played in Holland, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Kazakhstan, USA, Croatia and Oman.
Baki Duyarlar communicates with his audience through his piano, playing music from his heart, conveying his pure and sincere feelings. His music has shown a remarkable power to create bridges and reached the hearts of audiences all over the world.
STANİSLAV MİTROVİC
Born 1963 in Belgrade, Serbia (former Yugoslavia) studied piano from the age of 7, studied clarinet from the age of 13, started playing saxophone at the age of 17. Played and toured with various folk ensembles. From 1988 lives in Netherlands. Studied saxsophone (jazz music department) and later, bass clarinet (classical music department) at the Rotterdam conservatory from 1988 till 1995.
Studied and played in jazz quartet "OnQ" together with Baki Duyarlar. Turkish pianist and composer.
In 2008 played with B.Duyarlar's quartet in Istanbul jazz festival and in 2010 on Akbank jazz festival, this time with Sean Rickman on drums and Kai Eckhardt on bass. Won first prize on dutch jazz competition 1996 with the reed players duo "Double B" (together with saxophonist-clarinetist Akos Laki). With "Double B" recorded two CD's "Cha-Chack Train" (1996) and "Ethno Funk" (1999 with guest-musicians Paul Jackson and Mike Clark, better known as the rhythm section of legendary "Headhunters") composed and arranged for both of them and played on "North Sea Jazz Festival" in The Hague. 1996 and 2000. Plays in jazz quartet with guitarist Ratko Zjaca with various rhythm sections, toured thru Netherlands, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland, Norway with several guest musicians, among others: Denise Jannah, Reggie Workman, Randy Brecker, Miroslav Vitous, Jeff "Tain Watts"...
In 2006 recorded a CD "Crossing The Border" with R. Zjaca, Al Foster and Jhon Patitucci and in 2008 CD "Continental Talk" with Zjaca, Patitucci, Steve Gadd and Randy Brecker.
From 2005 plays with Balkan jazz formation "Carlama Orkestar" (saxophone quartet with drums and percussion) CD "Barabe" (2006). From 2006 until 2010 played with the multi-instrumentalists theater group " De werelband" : three seasons of the theater show "Keet", one season of the show "Kopmannen" and DVD recordings of both. Plays tenor, alto, soprano and bariton saxophones, clarinet, bass clarinet and EWİ. Works also as a jazz educator and big band conductor.
KAİ ECKHARDT
Kai Eckhardt is a Liberian / German bassist known through his work with guitarist John McLaughlin in the late 80's, Billy Cobham in the 90's and Garaj Mahal in the new millennium. Other career highlights include performances and recordings with: Trilok Gurtu, Stanley Clarke, Wayne Shorter, Patrice Rushen, Dewey Redman, Donald Byrd, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Robert Walter, Karl Denson, Michael Franti, Larry Coryell, Warren Hill, Al Di Meola, Zakir Hussain, Vital Information , John Scofield and Bill Frisell.
His active career spans 3 decades. Kai is currently a professor at the Jazz School Institute in Berkeley, CA who frequently teaches clinics and workshops world wide. Teaching engagements include the Berklee School of Music in Boston, the Bass Collective in New York City, BIT in Hollywood, the Anton Bruckner Conservatory in Austria, the Indian Institute of Technology in Chennai, the Amsterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands and Victor Wooten’s Bass and Nature camp.
Life Story
Kai Eckhardt was born the year of 1961 in Mainz/ Germany, raised by his German mother in the town of Bingen until the age of six. Joining his African father, Kai moved to Monrovia, Liberia where he spent four years attending West African middle school. In 1970 he returned to Germany into foster care. During this period Kai developed a talent in competitive sports, excelling in track, gymnastics and diving. In 1972, Kai won the title “junior district champion” in the one-and three meter board diving competitions. After a series of injuries Kai turned away from competitive sports and discovered music. A bass guitar was given to him by a school mate and he began practicing seriously.
Besides music, academics where an important factor in Kai’s life. Kai received his German high school diploma in 1980, finishing with the second best grade point average of his class. In 1982 Kai conscientiously objected to the German army. After being interviewed at a military court, he was released from the draft. In substitution for the army training, Kai became a nurse’s assistant at the Children’s Neurological Institute in Mainz Germany, caring for severely handicapped inpatients. Throughout his service Kai remained faithful to his instrument, the bass guitar.
After receiving a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, Kai left Germany to attend music college in Boston, MA in the year of 1983. After graduating with honors in 1987, Kai began his active touring life as a bassist, clinician and composer. He has been on the road ever since. averaging between 100 and 120 shows a year.
Besides music, Kai has developed a strong interest in social justice and environmental issues. In the past he has helped put together benefits for the homeless, rallies for green collar jobs and poetry projects featuring socially conscious messages. He has collaborated on projects with activists Julia Butterfly Hill, Deb Delman, Alli Chagi-Starr, Van Jones and Majora Carter among others. Kai is a proud member and supporter of “Green for All”.
Today Kai Eckhardt resides in Berkeley, California, married with two children. His wife Regina is from Sao Paulo, Brazil and his children Danilo and Naima are growing up tri-lingual, speaking Portuguese, English and German.
SEAN RİCKMAN
Sean Rickman, a native of Washington DC, is a self-taught singer, guitarist, bassist, and drummer. After performing with the DC reggae band, Blacksheep, Sean relocated to Memphis, Tennessee in 1992 to work with guitarist Shawn Lane, which led to a US tour opening for Robben Ford, the release of Shawn Lane’s Powers of Ten album and two instructional videos (Power Licks and Power Solos) on REH Video. Lane later released Powers of Ten Live and Tri Tone Fascination featuring more of the dynamic performances.
In 1993, Sean relocated to Los Angeles to perform with his father, veteran guitarist Phil Upchurch. Together, they toured Europe and performed throughout the Los Angeles area. During 1994-96, Sean performed with singer Angela Bofill. This led to performances on her Love In Slow Motion album in ’95. Sean toured with Sony artist Maxwell in ’96 and then joined alto saxophonist Steve Coleman in the spring of ‘96.
Sean toured with Meshell Ndegeocello and performed on her album Cookie. He continued to tour and record with Steve Coleman until 2002 performing on Genesis & the Opening of the Way, Sonic Language of Myth, Ascension to Light, Resistance is Futile, and the 64 Paths.
While working with Coleman, Sean produced and later joined Dapp Theory featuring pianist/composer Andy Milne releasing New Age of Aquarius independently and Y’all Just Don’t Know on Concord Records. Dapp Theory performs throughout the US and Europe currently.
Sean released his first DVD Compositional Drumming in 2002 and gives clinics and lessons when available in the US. Currently, Sean is touring with New York based Screaming Headless Torsos in the US and Europe.
ENRİQUE FİRPİ
Enrique Firpi "Drums" was born in 1960 in Uruguay. He has been one of the most popular drummers in his homeland since his professional career started at the age of 14. In that period he was playing already at all kind of different venues like bars, nightclubs and theatres. He worked as a recording artist as well as playing in TV shows. He also accompanied some famous artists such as Jose Carbajal "Él Sabalero", Fernando y Tequinha, Alberto Magnone, Telecataplum, Pool’s band with Edgardo Rigaud, Walter "Cafe" Rivero and Beatriz Aguiar, Carlos Scordamaglia, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Monico Aguilera, Eduardo Tancredi, Jorge Camiruaga and many others.
At that time, Enrique already played so many different styles of music and developed his amazing flexibility and diversity. Enrique moved to Holland in 1987 where he is living since. In Europe he developed his diversity as a drummer even further. He deeply went into new styles such as pop music and Jazz and combined them with his Latin American background. His great diversity and musicality made him one of the most asked for Latin and jazz drummers in the Netherlands. During his time in Europe Enrique has been recording a countless amount of CD’s and was performing all over the world with artists such as Fernando Lameirinhas, Laura Fygi, Leonardo Amuedo, Josee Koning, Lilian Vieira, Randal Corsen, Bye-Ya, Izaline Calister and Deborah J Carter just to name a few.
Enrique is currently working as guest teacher at the conservatories of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
ERİC CALMES
Eric Calmes "Bass" (composer Caribbean descent of jazz, funk, and world music) (1955) was born on Curacao and come to the Netherlands aged 20 to study at Amsterdam Conservatory. He is one of the most highly sought after bass players in a wide variety of music genres from jazz, to classical, Brazilian, salsa and music from his native island. His own compositions fuse his Caribbean background with elements of jazz, classical, funk and world music.