"The multiculturalism is not touristy, but rather sophisticated, informed, internalized" The Boston Globe
EPK for the album entitled “An Elegant Ritual” – official release date July 16, 2021. This trio album is modeled after the structure of a Sufi whirling (Mevlevi) dervish ritual (ayin), with influences from John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”.
EPK for the album entitled “The Rise Up” – official release date August 21, 2020
“THE RISE UP: Stories of Strife, Struggle and Inspiration ” is an extended programmatic piece composed by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol for jazz orchestra.
I grew up in Turkey playing classical and Jazz piano while championing Western ideals. However, all of what I thought to be true was defeated by a simple Turkish folk song 7 years after my arrival in the US, which sparked a curiosity that resulted in a decade long period of internalization of Turkish music, history and culture. From this decade, I feel that I came out as a composer who can ‘speak’ multiple musical languages by not reducing or standardizing but fully honoring them.
Composed by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol
Performed by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol & Whatsnext? featuring Anat Cohen from “Resolution” – released on Sept. 23, 2016
VECD [String Orchestra]
Commissioned by A Far Cry string orchestra. Composed by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol in 2012.
Composed for A Story of the City: Constantinople, Istanbul production (2008).
Commissioned by The Boston Cello Quartet. Composed in 2014.
Recorded at Futura Productions in Roslindale, MA by The Boston Cello Quartet.
I. “Ey gönül neylersin sen bu cihanı”
II. “Mevlan senin aşıkların devran iderler Hu ile”
“Uşşak Saz Semai” music: Salih Dede
“Hüseyni Nefes” music: anonymous, text: Şah Hatayi
Deticated in loving memory of Tom Zajac (1956-2015)
words: Aşık Veysel, music: Robert Labaree, arranged by Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol