Nyofu Tyson

Originally a jazz bassist, Nyofu Tyson has been playing Turkish Saz since the 70's. His music is a blend of Turkish, Jazz, Latin, Flamenco and more. He is also a composer and translator/interpreter of Turkish Folk Poets. Born in Los Angeles of Danish-Lebanese-African-American heritage, Nyofu Tyson grew up in a musical home. His Dad was an amateur jazz pianist and avid listener of many styles of music. Nyofu began music as a bassist, playing Jazz and Latin with local groups. He studied Composition, Classical Bass, and North Indian Classical Music at California Institute of the Arts for 2 years. His interest in ethnic music led him to Turkey, where he began playing the long necked lute, Saz. He then lived for many years in Sweden, where he worked with Zülfü Livaneli, Okay Temiz and Hadji Tekbilek , all major names in Turkish music. He toured all over Sweden and Europe with these artists, while having his own band and making radio concert and TV appearances in Sweden and Turkey. Since returning to LA in 1994, he has collaborated with Omar Faruk Tekbilek, oudist John Bilezikian and Cuatro Caminos Flamenco among others. In 2004, Nyofu released two CD’s on the 3 Worlds Music label: “Timeless Songs”, a collection of Turkish folk poets from 13th century to present; and “La Guitarra Turca”, original work blending Mideast, Latin and Jazz in an instrumental/vocal mix. He has been a member and featured artist in the Stefani Valadez Ensemble since 2006 and started Turkish/Flamenco fusion group “iST/West” together with Flamenco guitarist Bobby Solakov in 2007. From July 2011 thru Dec 2013 he performed with these groups at Disney California Adventure, introducing the public there to Turkish Poets and popular songs, odd rhythms and Flamenco alaturca. Nyofu travels regularly to Turkey, where he has gained recognition for his interpretations of Turkish folk poets and his eclectic style of Saz playing. In 2010 Nyofu began work on a new collection of Turkish Poet interpretations, featuring his original compositions. Recorded in Izmir, Istanbul and Los Angeles, "Minstrels&Mystics" is to be released in Turkey Spring 2017 by Avrupa Music. Also to be released is 5 song “iST/West” EP “Ciudad de Mi Alma”, featuring the single “Yeni Anladım”.