Omar Faruk Tekbilek Ensemble: Sacred Music of Turkey & the Middle East April 30, 2009

CIIS Public Programs is proud to present World Famous Sufi Musician and Virtuoso Omar Faruk Tekbilek & his Ensemble, performing traditional Sufi, folk and contemporary music from Turkey and the Middle East!

Hailing from the southern Turkish city of Adana, multi-instrumentalist Omar Faruk Tekbilek is honored as a peacemaker and virtuoso. He is one of the most sought-after Turkish/Middle Eastern musicians living in the United States, and is a virtuoso on several instruments, including the nay (bamboo flute), zurna (double-reed oboe-like instrument), baglama (long-necked lute), and percussion.

A welcoming openness to music from all cultures positions him as a rare artist who transcends political obstacles while maintaining traditional sensibilities. Omar Faruk has worked with musicians ranging from Ginger Baker to Ofra Haza, Youssou N'Dour and Yasmin Levy, and he has performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls.

A brilliant interpreter of Sufi, folk, and contemporary music of the Middle East, he has recorded ten critically acclaimed CDs. His numerous accolades include a 2003 Best Artist of Turkish Music award from the Turkish Writers Association and a nomination for a 2003 BBC World Music Award.

For more information about Omar Faruk, please visit www.omarfaruktekbilek.com

$50/$35/$25.

Official Website: http://www.ciis.edu/publicprograms