Background
His mother was from Egypt, and her love of the music of Reyad Elsonbaty was passed to her son, who grew up loving Arabesque music
His mother was from Egypt, and her love of the music of Reyad Elsonbaty was passed to her son, who grew up loving Arabesque music
He has developed a style that builds on traditional Sufi music, but includes inspiration from ambient electronic musicians, most notably Brian Keane. He is best known for his performances with the flute-like ney, but also plays the piccolo-like kaval, and the double-reed zurna. Among stringed instruments, he plays the oud and the bağlama.
He also sings in many of his recorded works.
Tekbilek has participated in the album Umoja by the Dutch band BLØF. He played on the single Mens which stayed for 12 weeks in the Dutch charts. In August 2011 the album "Rock the Tabla" is released.
Featuring Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Arkansas Rahman, Hossam Ramzy, Billy Cobham & Manu Katché.
Tekbilek is the recipient of the "Best Artist of the Turkish Music Award 2003" from the "Turkish Writers Association". He is a nominee for the British Broadcasting Corporation World Music Award 2003 in the category of the Middle E. He is also the recipient of the United States Golden Belly Musician-Of-The-Year-Award, for 1998 and again, for 1999.
