Guitarist SITKI SIRTANADOLU was born in 1968 in Istanbul, Turkey. He picked up the guitar at the age of 17, playing in the high school band. He later moved to the States for his college studies in marketing where he played with his University's Big Band, as well as with some local groups in Washington, DC area. During that time, he briefly studied with guitarist Paul Bollenback. In 1996, he moved back to Istanbul where he worked as Marketing Manager for PolyGram Records and later co-founded Aura Records. His credits as a producer with Aura Records include singer/songwriter Fatih Erkoc's self-titled 1999 release and an electronica project by Cold House. As a performer, he played with Tahsin Ünüvar Quintet, Danny Lerman Quintet, Bizz Band, Askin Arsunan Ethno-Karma Project and was featured in Istanbul and Akbank Jazz Festivals. Since 2000, he leads a professional career in sales and marketing while focusing his musical efforts onto SPIN.
About "SPIN"
For those who follow the Turkish local jazz scene closely, five musicians forming up SPIN are household names performing in various projects. Their joint effort SPIN's debut album "ILK (First)" is out on Aura Records.
Guitarist Sitki Sirtanadolu, pianist Selim Benba, saxophonist Yahya Dai, bassist Erdal Akyol and drummer Ferit Odman, after playing together a few years under various names they came up with 'SPIN', while playing a tune of Thelonious Monk and remembering his famous spin arounds during his solos.
SPIN's foundation goes back as early as 1999. When Sitki Sirtanadolu and Selim Benba met each other, they soon realised they share common musical perspectives. At the time, this was only a musical exchange of ideas between the two, but soon it turned out to be a successful band playing mostly covers of the selected jazz contemporaries. Later on, originals were added into the repertoire. Over the years, the new ones replaced some band members and every once in a while the band took breaks. After 8 years of playing on and off, Spin is continuing its journey with its current line up. Right before their youngest member, drummer Ferit Odman's departure to US for his graduate studies in music, SPIN took the opportunity to go into the studio to document their musical expedition in a permanent way.
'ILK' was recorded in May 2006 at MIAM studios in Istanbul, Turkey. Six out of eight tunes are Sirtanadolu's, one is Benba's originals. One tune is a joint effort by the two. The album was produced by Sitki Sirtanadolu and co-produced by Yahya Dai.
At first glance, 'ILK' is a blend of contemporary compositions delivering musical qualities that are in midway between New York mainstream and Europe's North Jazz. Melodies are strong and forward, yet structurally easy to grasp and highly communicative, emphasizing on the band's diligence to connect with the listener.
From the deeply touching ballad As You Wish and composed right after an earthquake Fay Hatti, to the Latin flavoured I'll Be There Tomorrow and warm as the sunshine Shining On You, Spin's music will sure make your soul spin.
