Baturay Yarkın

Born into a family of musicians, Baturay Yarkın began his music education at the age of 7 by winning first place in Istanbul University State Conservatory’s Part-Time Piano Department. He completed his 12-year part-time conservatory education with a bachelor’s degree. Under the guidance of Prof. Meral Yapalı, he prepared for the European Young Pianists Competition, earning third place in his age category. After obtaining his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Marmara University, he started a master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition at Istanbul Technical University in 2013. Through Erasmus, he studied in the Jazz Music and World Music Academy’s Argentine Tango Music departments at Codarts University for the Arts in the Netherlands. In 2022, he completed his Doctorate/Proficiency in Art studies in the Music Department of Istanbul University State Conservatory. Between 2018 and 2024, he served as a lecturer in the Jazz Department of Istanbul University State Conservatory. He currently continues his work in Vancouver, Canada.

In addition to his academic work, he has held concerts and workshops in various cities across Turkey, Europe, the Far East, and the USA. He participated in Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Global Musician Workshop and performed concerts with Grammy-winning musicians. He performed with Ara Dinkjian at Aya Irini and with the Yarkın Turkish Rhythm Group in Beijing and Shanghai, China. In 2014, he performed with his trio at the Young Jazz stage of the 21st Istanbul Jazz Festival, earning acclaim. He has appeared at prestigious jazz festivals and concert halls in Turkey, including the Akbank Jazz Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival, Borusan Music House, İş Sanat, CRR, and Salon IKSV. His hand molds were used in sculptures created with the theme “Hands that Touch Jazz” at the 26th Istanbul Jazz Festival.

With his personal groups, he has performed in the USA, the Netherlands, the UK, Monaco, Italy, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Argentina (online), and Kazakhstan. With the album project Colors of Anatolia, supported by the Ministry of Culture’s Genç-Des initiative, he held explanatory concerts at 15 universities across Turkey, fulfilling a significant cultural mission. His discography includes eight solo albums and numerous collaborative albums.