Meet Cosku Turhan | Jazz Musician/Visual Effects Supervisor

I was born and raised in Turkey. For centuries Turkish culture has been trying to find its place among western culture while still trying to hold on to its roots. I grew up in a similar environment in which, while studying strictly western arts like graphic design and jazz music, I was trying to find who I am. My music comes from a similar search. It’s an amalgam of jazz, classical music and traditional Turkish melodies. Something that many people don’t appreciate is the fact that most eastern music is monophonic. In that monophony there are thousands of years of spiritual exploration of the perfect melody. The fact that scales including different microtones evoke very different emotions is at the very center of the search for that perfection. All the melodies and poly rhythms in Turkish music I’ve been exposed to seem to find their way in my compositions frequently. I think the way I look at problems and and tackle them also is deeply rooted in my upbringing.

I’m a split creator trying to balance a vfx/animation career with a jazz music career. I think what I offer differently is that I don’t come from a traditional jazz background and my Turkish background adds something unique to the mix. My vfx background is also something that allows me to be really technical along with the musicianship so I spend a lot of time into the art of finding a sound through mixing and using microphones. My ultimate goal is to combine the visual side with the audio side with a live visualized jazz concert of some sort, but for that I need to build a following so I can rent some bigger venues. Please check my music out if you’re into jazz/world music.

Food wise, I would take them to Yakitoriya on Sawtelle, Roberta’s in Culver City, Republique on LaBrea, and Genwa for Korean food. At night, we would go listen to live music at Sam First jazz club, Upright Citizens Brigade for some improv comedy, Hollywood Bowl for some great concerts, and the Disney Hall for some amazing classical music. During the day, we would visit the Getty Center, Petersen Museum, Huntington Gardens for culture and arts.

I want to dedicate this shoutout to all the artists who have given me that “awe” moment all my life and inspired me to sit behind the piano or the computer to keep creating! There are so many musicians, painters, directors, authors who have pushed the boundaries and made me appreciate being alive, I would run out space really fast. I love the saying, “science is about exploring what already is out there and art is about exploring what isn’t” so shoutout to all the creators who have pushed the boundaries of “what isn’t”.