Volkan Oktem

He was born in June 25, 1970 in Izmir. His interest in music started at the age of 7. When he was 11, he started to play the drums with the military musicians at the Officers’ Club. In 1985 he had a chance to play with lots of rock and pop groups in Ankara with his increased interest and breakthrough to music. He played in many night clubs, including traditional Turkish music forms, while he managed to lay the foundation of his unique style.



His interest on jazz music gravitated him to perform in various jazz gigs. He had a chance to perfom with some pianists, such as Tuna Ötenel and Janusz Szprot. During this period he was mentioned in Istanbul.



He performed for lots of artists in more than 100 albums in Istanbul. Such as, Sezen Aksu, Fahir Atakoglu, Nilüfer. Also, he performed globally with some singers, groups and artists in clubs and concerts.



In 1996, he performed in his first ethnic jazz project with 6 artists and named the group “Habbecik”. He and his group Habbecik made an album named “An meselesi” . They have been in some festivals and concerts. In 1999, he performed his unique style in the group called Laço Tayfa which fuses the traditional Turkish forms to jazz, funk, reggie. He made 2 albums called “Bergama Gaydasi” ve “Hicaz Dolap” with Laço Tayfa and he performed globally as well as localy in concerts, such as; in May 2002, New York Central Park USA and in July 2002, 9th International Istanbul Jazz Festival.



Nevertheless he performed with Sertab Erener, the winner of 2002 Eurovision Song Contest. He played for her globally and locally. Furthermore he featured in jazz projects and made albums and performed in concerts.



He played in Askin Arsunan’s “One a day” album. He joined to 7th International Istanbul Jazz Festival with Askin Arsunan Ethno-Karma Band in July 2000. In July 2004 he played with John Scofield in 11th International Istanbul Jazz Festival. Furthermore in Jannuary 2005 he played with Bendik Hofseth “Down to Earth” project in Is Sanat Jazz Days.



In 1996 he founded the jazz fusion group called Trio Mrio, with his couple of good friends. Later one musician joined the group and they made an album called “9 parça (9 singles)”. After that, they called the group Quartet Muartet. With the increasing fans, they still work together and perform in clubs and make concerts.



In July 2005 he performed in 12th International Istanbul Jazz Festival with Muvaffak “muffy” Falay ve Elvan Araci, and also performed with Istanbul Superband for Dianne Reeves.



Presently, Volkan Öktem plays for Tarkan, one of the most famous popular music musician from Turkey. And performs in some projects, studio recording in Turkey as well as all around the world .



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