I have always been enchanted by the orchestrations of legendary arrangers like Claus Ogerman, Gordon Jerkins, Nelson Riddlle, Robert Farnon, Johnny Mandel, Alan Broadbent. As I listened to their music, I found myself in the dreamy worlds. In the history of jazz music, there are many vocalists and instrumentalists who have recorded exceptional albums with strings and symphony orchestras.

I have a special place in my heart for music with strings due to playing violin and viola at the conservatory for years. In 1995, I have recorded an album called “For Murat” that featured two tracks with strings. Both pieces were arranged by Kamil Özler, Turkey’s highly respected arranger. My desire to hear more of those magnificent sounds lead me to a recording session with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra in 1999. The recording was done at a studio which was converted from a church in St.Petersburg and Erol Erdinç conducted the orchestra. Later, we performed this project at Istanbul Jazz Festival with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra in 2000. This was the beginning for my concert series with large orchestras.

My next orchestral album was “Therapy” which was recorded in 2009 with Alan Broadbent and London Philharmonia Orchestra at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The arrangements were again written by Kamil Özler and Alan Broadbent was the conductor. Also, Ernie Watts joined us and he was featured on tenor saxophone. After the recording, our friendship with Alan evolved and his musicianship as a pianist propelled my own musical development. On a trip to New York City, I faint-heartedly showed couple of my original compositions to him and asked; “Alan will you write the symphonic arrangements for these compositions and make my dream come true?” Bill Evans was our common ground and hero. Alan was very receptive and he started working on the pieces. Before I knew it, he had finished the arrangements for the next album, “To Bill Evans”. We recorded this album in Prague with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and performed it live in Bologna, Italy with The Arturo Toscanini Orchestra and at the Istanbul Jazz Festival with Deutsche Philharmonie. Performing with large orchestras during these concert series and especially playing with strings made me realize how much I enjoy playing with them.

In 2014, I started to plan my next project. I wanted to record this in Los Angeles. I sent my new compositions to Alan Broadbent. I wanted to have Bill Evans’ drummer Joe LaBarbera on this album. I had listened to him numerous times on Bill Evans’ late recordings. Alan suggested Darek Oles for double bass.