Hakan Ali Toker
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.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
See website: http://HakanAliToker.com
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
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.
Your musical influences
Rachmaninov, Liszt, Bach, Mozart, Johann Strauss, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Turkish, Azeri, Arabic, Salsa, Tango, avant-garde...
What equipment do you use?
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.
