World Famous Sufi Musician in Concert:
Omar Faruk Tekbilek & his Ensemble
Turkish Virtuoso Omar Faruk Tekbilek & his Ensemble will be in town
for one night only
in an evening of traditional Sufi, folk and contemporary music from
the Middle East.

Venue:
Agape - International Spiritual Center
5700 Buckingham Pkwy.
Culver City, CA 90230

Date:
Saturday, February 7, 2004, 8:00PM

Tickets & Info:
Tel: 310 - 348 1260 ext. 424

www.agapelive.com (Click on calendar page)
$20 presale by Feb. 4 -- $25 at the door


Directions:
Tel: 310 - 348 1260 ext. 628

The Ensemble:
Omar Faruk Tekbilek - Ney, Vocals, Baglama, Zorna, Percussion
Arie Salama - Keyboards
Robert Gomez - Guitars
River Guerguerian - Percussion
Murat Tekbilek - Percussion


Listen to Omar Faruk live on KPFK (90.7FM) – Feb. 6 at 10:45 AM

Omar Faruk is one of the finest Middle Eastern musicians living in
the US.

He is a virtuoso on several instruments: The ney (bamboo flute), the
zurna (double-reed oboe like instrument),

the baglama (long-necked lute) and percussions, as well as a
masterful performer on dozens more.

Omar Faruk brilliantly interprets the Sufi, Folk, and Contemporary
music of the Middle East.

Omar Faruk was born in Adena Turkey and with a musical family to
nurture his precocious talents,

he went on to study with masters of Turkish music. By the age of
twelve he was already performing professionally.

Besides being a performer of high caliber, Omar Faruk is also an
excellent teacher and recording artist.

Omar Faruk has widely toured the Middle East, Europe, Australia and
the United States.

In 1976, he came to settle in the U.S., and since then, he has
collaborated with musicians

of inter-national repute including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ofra Haza,
Simon Shaheen,

Hossam Ramzy, Glen Velez, Bill Laswell, Mike Mainieri, Peter Erskine,
Don Cherry,

Karl Berger, Trilok Gurtu, Jai Uttal, Steve Shehan and Ginger Baker.

But perhaps he is best known for his collaborative work with
guitarist/producer Brian Keane.

Omar Faruk's music is rooted in tradition, but has been influenced by
contemporary sounds.

He views his approach as "cosmic" and his commitment to music runs
deep. The four corners

of his creativity enumerates mysticism, folklore, romance, and
imagination. Omar Faruk is often seen

as a peace messenger and he believes in collaborating with musicians
of different cultures.

"I'm interested in searching for the similarities in cultures, not
the differences"

" Music is the universal bond, our common language. I represent no
nationality when I play", he says.

"Through music and dance we can reach each other, face to face. We
have no differences."

Omar Faruk is the recipient of the "Best Turkish Music Award 2003"
from the "Turkish writers Association",

He is also a nominee for the BBC World Music Award 2003 in the
category of Middle East.

Also the recipient of the US Golden Belly Musician-Of-The-Year-Award,
for 1998 and, again, for 1999.



Recordings by Omar Faruk released in the U.S:
Suleyman The Magnificent 1988 Celestial Harmonies
Fire Dance 1990 Celestial
Harmonies
World Resonance 1991 Dynamic Recording
Beyond The Sky 1992 Celestial Harmonies
Turath (with Simon Shaheen) 1992 CMP Records
Fata Morgana (with Michael Askill) 1994 Celestial Harmonies
Whirling 1994 Celestial
Harmonies
Mystical Garden 1996 Celestial
Harmonies
The Best of The Sultans 1998 The Sultans Recording
Crescent Moon 1998 Celestial Harmonies
One Truth 1999 World Class
(H.O.S)
Dance into Eternity 2000 Celestial
Harmonies
Alif 2002
Narada/Adama/Gate



Music sampler, photos, and more bio info can be found at :
www.omarfaruktekbilek.com