Selen Gülün
Selen Gülün is a professional composer, pianist and singer.
Classically trained.
Grew up here near Bebek.
Got a degree in business then went to Berklee School of Music in Boston, and graduated quickly since she already had academic credits.
Usually fully improv, unplanned.
Loves that guitar is something you can carry, unlike piano which is always a separate thing from you.
Piano = like prostitutes since different piano every night as you travel.
Went to Porto jazz fest such a nice scene so many creative wonderful people, then straight to Lisbon to record her new live solo piano improve album which had such a different feel - so gentle even though she’s not a gentle musician usually quite active and powerful.
Haze Walker solo piano, total improv.
Singing in Japanese a bit.
In 2014 one of her albums did really well in Japan so the label asked her back in 2016 and she stayed, loved it, learned Japanese, had a boyfriend and apartment there, then in February 2020 came back to visit Istanbul then Covid locked down so her now-ex-boyfriend helped pack up and store her stuff, as she hasn’t been back since.
Taught at the university here.
Makes her most money from famous musicians hiring her to do arrangements of their songs for string quartet or whatever.
Does orchestral composition and all kinds of composition.
Traditional Turkish art music was restricted on state radio from the 1930s into the 1950s, as the new Republic was reshaping the country’s cultural and musical identity. Ottoman art music had been particularly centred in İstanbul, and although the tradition continued, its place in public musical life changed considerably.