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www.DurulGence.com [Durul Gence art courses]
He is known to be one of the best drummers and most popular band leaders in Turkey. His proficiency is proven by his performances with the giant musicians he played with. His dedication to his work made him "The Most Popular Musician of the Country" a title which he deserved for sure and maintained for long years.
His close relation with music began in an elementary school choir and private piano lessons at the age of 10. He attended the Naval Academy where he began to play drums and became the drum-major, as well as the drummer of the School's Orchestra and Vocal Group which has a unique importance for being the youngest pop group of Turkey's music history.
Played and gained experiences with many great Turkish musicians. Also performed with and praised by the famous international musicians such as Herbie Mann (flute), Sonny Sharock (el.guitar), Herb Geller (alto sax), Bertice Reading (vocal) of USA, British Pop Group the Four Pennies, Lili Ivanova of Bulgaria, Mads Vinding (bass), Peter Bastian (Clarinet, Basoon)
Anders Koppel (Hammond) of Denmark.
His famous groups "Durul Gence 5" and "Durul Gence 10" have always been voted in the polls as "The Most Popular Band of the Year". During the Golden Ages of the records, they accompanied almost all the stars of the Turkish Pop Music Scene and made over 50 single, and 3 LP records, some of which being their own. He reached the peak of his career with a best seller single record which was his first arrangement from a folk dance tune dedicated to "Sheik Shameel" a Caucasian Hero.
With a group he named as "The Asia Minor Mission" and later by himself as a guest musician he played in many countries in Europe and successfuly demonstrated the contemporary status of the Turkish musicians. After his return to Turkey, he began to teach Jazz Appreciation courses in Hacettepe University in l986 and later in Middle East Technical University. This was considered to be a major contribution to Jazz and upon recommendation of the world known Turkish Composer and Arranger Mr. Arif Mardin, Durul Gence was awarded with a scholarship from Berklee College of Music.
Songs from Durul Gence 10 and Durul Gence 5
Last METU Vişnelik Concert:
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