The Utar Artun Trio’s latest project "Jazz Standards in Turquoise Notes" explores the blue note from a multicultural and microtonal perspective, giving audiences a chance to experience jazz in a whole new way.
The Utar Artun Trio is composed of world-class musicians who are known for their exceptional skill and virtuosity. In addition to Utar Artun on piano, this project features Vlade Guigni on drums, and Youngchae Jeong on bass. Together, they will blend the rich sounds of Turkish music culture with jazz standards, creating a fresh and exciting new perspective on this beloved genre.
UTAR ARTUN, Pianist, Composer, Arranger
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Utar Artun, an acclaimed composer, arranger, and musician, was born in Ankara, Turkey. His journey in music began with a deep passion for composition and orchestration, leading him to make a name for himself in both national and international music scenes.
Early Career and Education
In 2006, Artun arranged music for the theater play The 7 Women, marking the start of his professional career. Two years later, he graduated from Hacettepe Conservatory’s Percussion Department, earning a 2nd Rank (runner-up) Degree of School Placement Award. His talent soon took him beyond Turkey, as he participated in the European Scholarship Tours of Berklee College of Music. There, he completed his degree in just 2.5 years, graduating summa cum laude and receiving numerous accolades, including the Honorable Mention in the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra Composition Competition, Barnes & Noble Award, five Dean’s List Awards, Outstanding Pianist Award, Arif Mardin Scholarship Award, and the Brian Oliver Memorial Award.
Breakthrough and Recognition
While at Berklee, Artun gained recognition in international competitions. He was a finalist in ASCAP’s Morton Gould Young Composers Competition (2010) and the Young Jazz Composers Competition (2011). His compositions were featured on Jazz Revaluation Records CDs in 2010 and 2012. In 2011, he performed with legendary guitarist Kevin Eubanks in a studio recording session at WGBH Studios in Boston.
His collaborative work spans across genres and continents, having performed and recorded with world-renowned artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Dave Weckl, Jojo Mayer, Antonio Sanchez, Mark Guiliana, A.R. Rahman, Simon Shaheen, Dave Holland, Eddie Gomez, Jason Moran, and many others. He also participated in groundbreaking projects like Rhythm of the Universe and Berklee Yo-Team as an arranger, performer, conductor, and orchestrator.
Awards and Major Performances
Artun’s talent has been recognized through several prestigious awards, including:
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18th HALICI MIDI Composition Contest Winner (2011)
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2nd place in the Berklee Film Scoring Contest 7 (2011)
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Highest Award in the SCAMV 1st National Symphonic Composition Contest (2013)
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3rd place in the 9th Eczacıbaşı National Composition Contest for his symphonic lied Hiçlik (2016)
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Foundation of Modern Education (CEV) and Ankara Jazz Society (ACD) Awards
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JCI - TOYP "10 Outstanding Young Persons of the World" Culture Award (2018)
His performances have graced prestigious festivals worldwide, including the Undead Jazz Festival, Burlington Jazz Festival, Europalia Arts Festival (Belgium), Musicacoustica Festival (China), Abu Dhabi Festival, and Boston Jazz Fest. In Turkey, he played at the Istanbul Jazz Festival, Side Culture & Art Festival, Eskisehir Jazz Festival, Ankara Jazz Festival, Mersin Music Festival, and International Ankara Music Festival.
Compositions and Major Works
Artun’s discography includes the Neotolia EP Rose Lace (2014), which won a Bronze Medal from the Global Music Awards, and the album Neotolian Song (2017). His solo music video Cajonversations was released in 2015, the same year he received the Boston Microtonal Society Award. He later composed new ballet music for the Ankara State Opera & Ballet’s Modern Dance projects (2017-2018) and premiered the world’s first Piano & Cajón Concertant at Zorlu PSM, Istanbul, with the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra.
In 2021, Artun created orchestral arrangements for the symphonic project DORE-MIMI with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Ankara. Since then, he has been on tour with saxophonist Grace Kelly. In 2022, he arranged and composed symphonic music for the Hollywood film About Fate, starring Emma Roberts and Lewis Tan. In 2023, he arranged music for the honorary doctorate concert of renowned Gambian artist Sona Jobarteh in Boston. He also composed Yüz Yılın Yıldızı, an official anthem for the 100th Anniversary of the Turkish Republic, featuring a 100-piece choir and symphonic orchestra.
Recent Achievements and Teaching
Artun’s recent achievements include winning the 26th Yapı Kredi Afife Jale – Best Musical Theatre Award (2024) and serving as the composer-in-residence for the Turkish American Orchestra in New York. He released his first symphonic album, Scope, and in the same year, Berklee College of Music dedicated a concert to the Microtonal Music of Utar Artun, where he served as music director and conductor for the DDG4 Quartet & Big Band.
He holds a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory (2015) with Academic Honors. Over his career, he has composed and arranged more than 160 works for symphony orchestras and over 300 pieces for brass bands and big bands, with his music performed across the United States, Switzerland, Turkey, Netherlands, China, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, Czech Republic, and Russia.
As an educator, he is a faculty member at Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. He has also served as an arranger for the Ankara Kent Big Band and the Musical Director for the Classical Oasis Ensemble. Additionally, Artun is a voting member of The Recording Academy for the Grammy Awards and a member of SCI, NACUSA, Çağdaş Türk Bestecileri, and BMI.
Through his compositions, performances, and mentorship, Utar Artun continues to shape the global music landscape, blending jazz, classical, and world music traditions into innovative and inspiring works.
