Mercan Dede Istanbul Quartet

A major world music innovator – Mercan Dede believes in the universal language of music, and specifically the idea that a fusion of electronic and traditional genres can entwine modern and traditional cultures.

Dede’s newest project is Istanbul Quartet; a multimedia performance featuring the traditional and electronic fusion Dede is famous for, as well as a visual accompaniment of Dede’s own digital art he developed after studying and teaching multimedia in Saskatoon, Canada.

Istanbul Quartet will feature Turkish musicians playing a variety of traditional and modern instruments including the ney (reed flute), Bendir, percussion, electric Baglama (an ancient instrument from central Asia) and Kemane (Turkish violin). There is an enigmatic suggestion of free ‘pre-show entertainment’ on the musiktrafik website and his Melbourne show will feature a traditional Dervish dancer on stage.

Mercan Dede is the first Turkish-born musician to achieve a #1 position on the BBC world music chart; and given that he has been nominated by the BBC as the best world music artist for the past four years this is an achievement well earned.