Okay Temiz
Born in Istanbul he received his music education first from his mother Naciye Temiz who was a lover of Turkish Classical Music. He studied in percussion and tympany in Ankara Classical Music State Conservatory with her support. His professional music career began in 1954. He worked in Tophane Art Institute as a trainer between the years 1957-1959. Then in 1967 he joined Ulvi Temel Orchestra with which he gave concerts in large dance clubs of Europe. During the same years he went to Sweden where he met the famous trumpet player Maffy Falay. They founded the music band Sevda (Love) with him. Okay Temiz also put signature under productive projects with the American trompet virtuoso Don Cherry. When the African bass-guitarist Johnny Dyani joined them, there emerged an efficient triplet. In 1971 they gave lessons in New Hemsher College, one of the most popular music schools in America. And the Turkey concert of the triple was released as an album. Subsequently he founded the music band Xaba with the bass-guitarist Dyani and the South African drummer Mongezi Feza. The band which won great recognition throughout the world released three albums in Scandinavia, England and America, and it undoubtedly has an important place in the history of jazz. Okay Temiz also founded the Turkish-Swedish music band the Oriental Wind in 1974, featuring with a rich blend of Eastern and Western instruments.