Okay Temiz

Okay Temiz — Biography

Okay Temiz was born on 11 February 1939 in Istanbul. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of jazz in Turkey, working as a percussionist, drummer, composer and bandleader.

He began his career in jazz in Sweden in 1967, developing a distinctive style that fused Turkish folk melodies with jazz. He carried this sound forward through the ensembles Sevda and Oriental Wind, both of which he founded. Between 1993 and 1998 he lived in Finland before settling back in Turkey in 1998 with support from the Ministry of Culture. Over a long career of performances and recordings at home and abroad, he has been honoured with the title of State Artist and continues to pass on his knowledge of rhythm through workshops for younger musicians.