In 1971, Omar Faruk Tekbilek--already established as one of Turkey's most sought after musicians--toured Europe and the United States for the first time. He was of course warmly received by Western audiences and, in 1976, settled in upstate New York, where he still makes his home. Since moving to the US, Omar Faruk has recorded and performed with dozens of notable musicians including Don Cherry, Simon Shaheen, Jai Uttal and Ginger Baker.
With Whirling, Omar Faruk steps briefly away from his many collaborations to deliver his debut as a solo recording artist. He applies his mastery of the ney (reed flute), double-reed instruments such as the zurna and mijwiz and Middle Eastern percussion (darbuka, bendir and more) to original compositions that artfully evoke the iconic spiritual tradition of Turkey's Mevlevi dervishes.
Though Whirling features Omar Faruk at center stage, guest turns are contributed by Armenia's Ara Dinkjian oud and Arto Tuncboyaciyan (percussion), and Turkish kanun genius Hassan Isikkut. Longtime friend and collaborator Brian Keane adds guitar and his subtle, atmospheric orchestrations.
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