Borabook

'Hey Bora, today I actually listened to the whole thing! Nice band and tunes, I like the mixture of hardbop and rock guitar sound, and the spirit of the music, fresh and unrestrained.' Jorge Rossy (drummer - Brad Mehldau trio, Ethan Iverson Trio, Chris Cheek, Mark Turner, Charlie Haden, Wayne Shorter, Joe Lovano, Steve Swallow Group etc.) Borabook features 8 originals by guitar player/composer Bora eliker. Written between 2002 - 2010, these tunes reflect the evolution of the artist as a composer. Throughout the album and it's lengthy improvisations, one can hear many distinct influences such as hard bop, psychedelic rock, avant garde and classical blend in a unique way. The guitar sound and Bora's playing on some of the tracks on the album will appeal to rock audiences, while the tune construction and the overall feel of the album, with it's rich harmonic backdrop and playful rhythms will maintain the jazz listeners' attention for a rewarding 76+ minutes. The musicians featured on this recording are of the highest caliber. Bora and pianist Burak Bedikyan have been longtime collaborators and their encounter with the stellar rhythm section featuring bassist Eric Revis (Branford Marsalis Quartet) and the explosive drummer Ted Poor (Ben Monder Trio, Aaron Parks, Dan Tepfer, Kurt Rosenwinkel) is really something to hear. Check out trumpet player Imer Demirer (one of the most beloved figures of Turkish jazz scene) and his warm presence on three selections. It feels like, he's supporting and giving his blessing to this highly emotional recording session, led by two of the most talented players of the generation which will succeed him. There's so much love and respect involved, you can hear everyone working hard to make it happen within the time constraint (since Eric and Ted had to make it to their gig with Kurt Rosenwinkel, only a few hours of studio time was available, so, save for a couple false starts, the whole album was recorded in one take!). The band pulls no punches throughout the recording; even in the quieter tracks, there's a lot of intensity and emotion. It has that 'live' feeling. Recorded November 18, 2010, in Istanbul-Turkey, this may well be the most interesting and heart-on-sleeve effort that came out of this part of the world in the realm of jazz and improvisational music. 'I finally got a chance to listen to the tracks this evening. They are great - I am very happy to be able to work on this project. The musicianship is fantastic and the mixes are very well done. I love the range of musical influences.' Alan Silverman (mastering engineer - Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods, Lionel Loueke, Keith Richards, Leonard Cohen, Norah Jones etc.) Personnel: Bora eliker (guitar) Burak Bedikyan (piano) Eric Revis (bass) Ted Poor (drums) Imer Demirer (trumpet on tracks 1,3 & 8) Credits: Recording Engineer: Mehmet Kemaloglu Mixing: Ergin zler (Deneyevi) Mastering: Alan Silverman (Arf Mastering NY) Cover Painting: Bora's Blues by Yavuz Tanyeli Photography: Zehra Derya Ko 'Bora is my favorite jazz guitar player, these paintings are about his music and the life he built around it' Yavuz Tanyeli (Acclaimed Turkish painter) 'Here's to someone, who, no matter how defiant, will never lose his path in time and space. To Bora' Lale Mldr (Iconic Turkish poet)