Born in 1947 in Istanbul, he started by play the piano at the five years age. His father, violonist concert performer was guiding him in this step. He was accepted by the academy of Ankara where are quickly recognized his gifts. He received there are traditional teaching by professor Ulvi Cemal Erkin and Ferhunde Erkin. He regards soon the jazz as the fundamental element of his life and concentrates his career on this music.
In 1964, his joint with the jazz band of Metin Gurel, opens the gates of professionalism to him. He also starts to play of the alto saxophone, tenor and soprano and becomes the best of his generation. In 1978, he joined Erol Pekcan's Band, which produced the first album of jazz in Turkey, heading Jazz Semai, made up in its totality by Otenel. He animated during 10 years an emission of radio in Turkey. Since 1980, he was a head of orchestra, arranger and solist for various musical events. Occuring in concert in Turkey and abroad, he was invited in the United States by the Foreign Minister. He also played in Sweden with the trumpet player Maffy Falay and the percussionnist Okay Temiz on several occasions and produced the album Zikir.
In 1994, he produced and composed the album Sometimes. During the years 1995 he went to Houston (U S), as a guest of honor. Since he took part in many festivals in Turkey and abroad. During his career, he played with some famous musician such as Benny Carter, Harry Sweets Edison, Karin Krog, Hilton Ruiz , Victor Sproles, Buster Williams, Herbie Hancock, Peter King, Pierre Michelot, Philippe Combelle, Jean Loup Longnon.
He comes out in 1999 his last album , accompanied by Pierre Michelot and Philippe Combelle entitled l'Ecume de Vian, primarily composed of his own works and plays regularly in the clubs of Parisian Jazz. Tuna Otenel is an astonishing musician who saw his passion of the jazz through it an overflowing sensitivity...
Others Links: Tuna's Interview by Jazz Hot !
