Born in Türkiye, Ali began performing alongside his musician father, mastering violin early and piano by age 15. By 17, he expanded his skills to include composition, conducting, orchestration, and jazz. He studied jazz piano at Codarts University of the Arts in the Netherlands and has performed with renowned Turkish artists, including Sezen Aksu and Ajda Pekkan. He released his debut album, Hadi Gülümse, and his first contemporary solo jazz piano album, Moments, recently. Ali was one of the founders of the Turkish Classical Music Choir in Los Angeles, which he directed for several years. He performs widely across the U.S. and internationally as a multi-instrumentalist. 

Instagram: @alitolgamusic   

www.alitolga.com

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Toghrul Orujov – Kamancha

A native of Azerbaijan, Toghrul trained at a specialized music school in Baku, graduated from Baku Music College, and earned a master’s degree in kamancha performance from the Azerbaijan National Conservatory. He taught kamancha locally and performed with the Azerbaijan State Orchestra of Folk Instruments. A Grand Prix winner at the All-Republic Folk Instrument Competition and laureate of the Azerbaijan National Mugham Competition, Toghrul has performed extensively in Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and beyond. In Washington, D.C., he performs with local bands and the Turkish Choir.

Instagram: @toghrulorujov

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Sezin Ahmet Turkmenoglu – Upright Bass

Based in Los Angeles, Sezin Ahmet Turkmenoglu is a versatile bass player and educator. After moving from Istanbul, Türkiye in 2012, he has collaborated with artists including Alan Pasqua, Stanley Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Bill Cunliffe, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Lee Ritenour, Jane Monheit, and Sarah Gazarek. Ahmet has recorded and toured internationally with jazz, pop, and folk musicians. He holds a doctorate in Jazz Performance from the University of Southern California and teaches bass at Cal State University Fullerton and Los Angeles City College.

Instagram: @sezinahmet

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T.J. Troy – Percussions

T.J. Troy is a multi-Grammy® Award-winning percussionist and educator based in Southern California. He bridges Indian and Middle Eastern percussion traditions, contemporary classical music, and modern drumset performance. He has performed with Diamanda Galás, Pete Townshend, Billy Idol, Dalal Abu Amneh, Ustad Aashish Khan, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, and Cirque du Soleil. Founder of the mixed-media ensemble Run Downhill, T.J. has released seven albums of original work. He teaches percussion at Chapman University and has long served as a Modern Dance accompanist at the Colburn School in Los Angeles.

Instagram: @run_downhill

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THANK YOU

We are grateful to California State University’s Daniel Recital Hall for opening their doors and hosting our concert. We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the following individuals and teams who made this concert possible:

• Marcus Carline and the entire team of Daniel Recital Hall technicians for sound, lights, video, and other technical support

• Narmina Ismayilova – Stage Design

• ATD Productions – Audio and Videography (Instagram: @atdproductions)

• Robert Arseven | Arseven Photography  (www.arsevenphotography.com)

• Meltem Buyuran – Choreography and Dance

• Nazli Iskandarova – For providing homemade cookies

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our audience for sharing this musical evening with us. We hope to see you again soon!