ABOUT
Kerem Seçkin
Biography
Kerem Seçkin is a composer, drummer, and producer from Istanbul, Türkiye. His work is rooted in a belief that music has the power to bring people together, creating shared experiences that transcend cultural, geographic, and artistic boundaries.
Drawing from jazz while embracing influences from a wide range of musical traditions, Seçkin’s artistic voice is shaped by a balance of thoughtful composition, improvisation, and collaboration. Whether performing on stage, composing original works, or developing music for visual media, he approaches each project with a commitment to meaningful expression and artistic communication.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Seçkin was recognized with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Award, a distinction presented by Berklee’s Harmony and Jazz Composition Department in recognition of outstanding achievement in jazz composition. During his years in Boston, he immersed himself in a musical environment shaped by some of the most respected voices in contemporary jazz. His artistic development was influenced by mentors including Grammy Award-winning drummers Neal Smith and Mark Walker, modern jazz innovator Billy Kilson, acclaimed composer and arranger Greg Hopkins—whose career includes work with the legendary Buddy Rich Big Band—as well as composer Ayn Inserto and multi-instrumentalist Brian Landrus. Through these experiences, he was exposed to a wide range of musical perspectives spanning jazz tradition, contemporary composition, large ensemble writing, and cross-cultural collaboration. Together, these influences helped shape an artistic identity grounded in curiosity, openness, and a commitment to meaningful collaboration. Exposure to artists from different generations and musical traditions reinforced his belief that music is at its most powerful when it creates meaningful connections between people.
As both a performer and bandleader, Seçkin has appeared in a variety of distinguished musical settings. He was selected as one of only seven drummers from Berklee College of Music’s graduating class to perform at the Berklee Commencement Concert at Boston’s Agganis Arena. He also performed with the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra at Jordan Hall, one of Boston’s most renowned concert venues.
In addition to his orchestral and large ensemble work, Seçkin spent a year performing with the Jazz Composers Workshop Orchestra (JCWO) under the direction of acclaimed composer and arranger Ayn Inserto. During his time with the ensemble, he participated in a variety of performances dedicated to contemporary jazz composition, including concerts featuring internationally recognized composer and bandleader Christine Jensen.
Beyond institutional stages, Seçkin has performed at venues including Café 939’s Red Room in Boston, Nardis Jazz Club, and Bova Jazz Club in Istanbul.
He is currently preparing the release of his debut EP, City Sketches, a collection of original jazz compositions written during his final years in Boston. Developed during a period marked by artistic growth, new collaborations, and life far from home, the project serves as a musical journal of a formative chapter in his life. Rather than depicting the city itself, the compositions capture fleeting moments, shifting perspectives, and the emotional landscape of transition. Created at the intersection of reflection and forward momentum, City Sketches documents the experience of leaving behind a place that profoundly shaped him while stepping into an uncertain and exciting future.
