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I don’t know when I started making music. The radio was always on at home, and I grew up with traditional melodies. Every tune on the radio told a different story; the cheerful ones never really touched me. Because when awareness and empathy become active in a person’s soul, a certain sadness becomes inevitable. Maybe that’s where it all started for me. I always carried melancholic melodies in my bag.
I shaped myself by singing the same folk songs over and over again. I found my own tone, and I felt that I could say, “I exist in music.” When I was around ten, I became eager to play the bağlama.
But over time, I realized it wasn’t just enthusiasm— because I’m still playing.
I was born in Istanbul and started playing the bağlama at a young age.
My musical journey began in Turkey and became more active in the UK, where I continue to perform and teach bağlama.
I play traditional Turkish and Kurdish folk songs as well as my own compositions.
Music is my way of expressing emotions, telling stories, and preserving culture.
I believe in its power to connect people and strive to blend tradition with modern influences.
I’m continuing my music work on different projects in Bristol.
| Events | Date |
|---|---|
| Ozcan Ates and Charlie Groves | 1776367800 Apr 16, 2026 |
| Calstock Festival - Ozcan ATES & Eastern Strings | 1781377200 Jun 13, 2026 |
| Home from Home - Curzon Cinema | 1781893800 Jun 19, 2026 |
Ongoing Projects
- Dovetail Orchestra (Musician)
- Eastern String (Musician)
- Corba Strings Quartet Project (Musician)
- Story Telling Project (Musician)
- Teaching (Baglama - Guitar - Singing)
Experience
2021
- The Fantasy Orchestra – St. George’s Hall
2022
- Live Music Performance – Tobacco Factory Theatres
- Live Theatre Music – ACTA Theatre
- Dovetail Orchestra – St. George’s Hall
2023
- Workshop – Bristol Beacon
- Bristol Refugee Festival – Queen Square Park
- Bristol Halbour Festival – Bristol Center
2024
- Dovetail Album Recording – Bristol University Music Studio
- Workshop – Bristol Beacon
- Eastern Strings Concert – Cotham Parish Church
- Cube Cinema Concert
- Bristol Refugee Festival – Queen Square Park
- Workshop – UWE University
- Bristol Refugee Festival – Queen Square Park
- High Sheriff Concert – St. George’s Hall
- Eastern Strings Concert – Calne Music Festival
2025
- Vilk Project – St. George’s Hall
- George’s Hall Glass Room Solo Concert
- St. George’s Hall Concert with Dovetail
- Bath Refugee Festival
- Bristol Refuge Festival – Queen Square Park
- Curzon Cinema – Concert
- Arnolfini Bristol