Okan Ersan

Okan Ersan’s Mediterranean roots and mindset have provided the springboard for a successful international career as a guitarist and composer. His innate ability to create complex harmonies that fuse into smooth melodies provide an inspiring experience for the listener. His work has earned accolades from his peers and across the music industry and his high-energy electric fusion appeals to audiences all over the world. Okan has headlined at prestigious International Jazz festivals including Leverkusener Jazztage, Penang Island Jazz Festival, Nanjing Jazz, Kansas City Jazz Festival, Carthage Jazztage, Aalener Jazz Festival, Ingolstadt Jazztage and more…A respected artist, he has collaborated with outstanding musicians such as Dave Weckl, Ernie Watts, Billy Paul, Rex Richardson, Fazıl Say, Joe Lynn Turner and Volkan Öktem.

Okan Ersan is an experienced recording artist who is about to release his third album. Each album has pushed the musical boundaries for the next. From traditional jazz fusion from the first album of his early years To Whom It May Concern fiery solos tinged with a distinctly eastern shine in his second album A Reborn Journey. Inspired to think extra terrestrially by the 1977 ‘wow’ signal, believed to be the first alien radio transmission, Okan’s latest album showcases futuristic jazz fusion with no limits. Featuring NASA recordings of space blended with sophisticated harmonies and solid tonality, his album Nibiru presents music that is ahead of its time.

Okan has been a Yamaha Guitars performing artist for almost two decades using his role as a successful musician to inspire guitarists and upcoming talents through workshops with Dave Weckl and Rex Richardson and as a music teacher. Okan Ersan is also an endorser and performing artist for YAMAHA and PRS Guitars along with ATC Acoustic Engineer Speakers and GHS Strings.

Awards

2003 Guitarist of Year Competition Award (Guitarist Magazine) Top 5

Tags