Born in Turkey, Tamer Pinarbasi started his kanun lessons at the age of 10, made his first of hundreds of recordings at 13, with top Turkish artists. Starting age 17, he began concertizing throughout Europe, and he has shared his music with diverse audiences over the years. After years of musical training and thousands of performances throughout the world, Tamer moved to Unites States and branched out to explore Jazz, funk, flamenco, classical and contemporary music that has continued to this day. His diverse recordings reveal the range of his artistry from jazz standards to micro-tonal eastern music with string orchestrations as well as his unique compositions.
Tamer’s unique technical approach, playing with all ten fingers rather than the traditional two index finger-strumming, as well as his knowledge of both the eastern micro-tonal (makam) system and western harmony, paved the way for him becoming one of the world’s greatest kanun virtuosos.
He has also invented a new kanun design, made to suit his unorthodox technique of playing with his fingernails rather than a tortoise-shell pick (mizrab). Since moving to United States, he has continued to develop his compositional and performance styles in many diverse musical environments, including the New York Gypsy All-Stars and Secret Trio.
As a recording artist and a member of NY Gypsy All Stars and Secret Trio bands, Tamer’s most recent CD releases; Romantech and Soundscapes features his distinctive composing and arranging. He is currently touring with NYGAS and Secret Trio around the world; participate in workshops at prestigious institutions, and working on his solo album.