Biography
Fretless Guitar
Born in the vibrant city of Istanbul in 1979, Cenk Erdoğan embarked on a musical journey that has left an indelible mark on the world of music. His talent was recognized early on when, in 1997, he earned a prestigious four-year scholarship at İstanbul Bilgi University’s Music Composition Department.
Graduating with First Class Honours in 2001 from the university’s music department, Erdoğan’s journey continued to soar. In October 2004, he was invited to lead a workshop at the Berklee College of Music, focusing on the intricacies of fretless guitar and modes in Turkish music, thanks to an invitation from David “FUZE” Fiuczynski.
In 2008, Erdoğan unveiled his debut album, “İLE”, a creative masterpiece produced by Sinan Sakızlı under the Baykuş Music label. The same year, he took on the challenge of composing and arranging the soundtrack for Çağan Irmak‘s poignant film “Issız Adam”, earning him the coveted Yeşilçam “Soundtrack of the Year 2009” award in recognition of his exceptional work.
In 2009, the Cenk Erdoğan Trio, featuring the renowned Tineke Postma, graced the stages of the 16th Istanbul Jazz Festival and the 19th Akbank Jazz Festival. That same year, he collaborated with the Yinon Muallem ensemble at the “Karawane 2009” Festival in Bochum, Germany. Additionally, Erdoğan joined forces with Nihan Devecioğlu and Adam Mata to form a trio that recorded the mesmerizing “Çark” album, captivating audiences at Zaltsburg Music Fest, Bayreuth Young Artists Fest, and Bonn Summer Fest.
In 2016, Erdoğan became a part of the “Rachmaninov Anatolian Project”, collaborating with Guldiyar Tanridağlı and Ertan Tekin. The album, released by KALAN music, was a testament to his versatility.
In 2019, he embarked on a European and American tour as part of the International Guitar Night project, sharing the stage with Luca Satricagnoli, Antoine Boyer, and Samuelito. His involvement continued in 2020 when he was invited for the 20th Anniversary Tour of the International Guitar Night, completing a 33-concert American tour alongsideMike Dawes, Jim Kimo West, and Olli Soikkeli.
In 2021, Erdoğan unveiled his album “I’m Still Searching” This year also brought recognition in the form of the “Best Platform TV Soundtrack” award at the Izmir International Film and Music Festival for his work on the Yeşilçam TV series.
Crowning his illustrious career, Erdoğan was honored with a Grammy Award in the Best New Age Album category in 2021 for his contributions toJim Kimo West’s “More Guitar Stories” album as a featured artist.