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:: artist infos
htoker
Hakan Ali Toker
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Besides being a pianist and composer, I am the member of an endangered species: a classical improviser. I create original classical compositions on the spot, live, usually based on themes or numbers given by the audience during performance. I also improvise music to silent movies, which is also a rare art-form anymore. I also play world music (Turkish, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Latin), jazz, and avant-garde.
Why this name?
It is my full, official name
Do you play live?
I travel internationally, giving concerts solo and with various other artists including my two bands Tanini and Salaam, violinist Canan Cihangir, vocalist Yildiz Ibrahimova, flutist Christian Plouvier etc. So far I've played in Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Denmark, Iceland, USA, Italy and South Korea.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
I think it is the future of music industry. Record deals seems to be coming to an end.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Yes, if I could get one to agree to it! Have been trying. But they all say the same thing: Business is slow. Nobody wants to buy records anymore. People are downloading music from the net for free.
Band History:
See website: http://HakanAliToker.com
Your influences?
Rachmaninov, Liszt, Bach, Mozart, Johann Strauss, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Turkish, Azeri, Arabic, Salsa, Tango, avant-garde...
Favorite spot?
Amsterdam, Holland; Rome, Italy; Bloomington/Indiana, USA.
Equipment used:
Solo acoustic piano, usually. But sometimes I play the accordion and/or kanun. Rarely electronic keyboards. But I hate using them as a substitute for piano. I try to avoid that at all cost. If I am to use a synthesizer, it should be for the sake of including sounds that are not imitable by acoustic instruments.