ORAY YAY

Oray Yay is a Turkish percussionist and rhythm artist born in Edirne, Türkiye, in 1987. At the age of sixteen, he was admitted to the Conservatory of Haliç University Conservatory through his own efforts, where he studied under some of the most respected figures in Turkish music, including Alaeddin Yavaşca, Mutlu Torun, Çetin Körükçü, and Yalçın Çetinkaya.

During his conservatory years, he performed in numerous Turkish Classical Music and Turkish Folk Music concerts organized by the Haliç University Turkish Music Conservatory. Following his undergraduate studies, he completed a master's degree with a thesis titled Percussion Instruments Used Throughout the Historical Development of Turkish Music and Their Areas of Application.

In 2007, Yay joined the renowned ensemble Istanbul Sazendeleri, performing alongside distinguished virtuosos such as Göksel Baktagir, Yurdal Tokcan, and Baki Kemancı. During the same period, he became a student of internationally acclaimed darbuka master Mısırlı Ahmet, studying with him for four years and participating in numerous concerts with both the artist and the Mısırlı Ahmet Galata Rhythm House.

In 2009, he joined Mercan Dede’s Secret Tribe project. He later continued his rhythmic studies with the Yarkın Rhythm Group under the mentorship of Ferruh Yarkın and Fahrettin Yarkın.

Between 2011 and 2018, Yay served as a guest artist with the Istanbul State Turkish Music Ensemble. From 2018 to 2020, he performed as a member of the performance ensemble of Istanbul University.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading musicians from around the world and performed as one of the featured instrumental soloists of the Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing together prominent artists from 23 countries.

In 2021, after successfully passing the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's national examination, he was appointed as a percussion artist in the Meydan Meşkleri Ensemble. In 2025, he was selected as the official Türkiye endorser for Schlagwerk Percussion, one of the world's leading percussion manufacturers.

Selected Discography

• Hayal Gibi 3 (2008)
• Benhur Live (2009)
• Duygu Pınarı 2 (2010)
• Notte Della Taranta (2010)
• Sen (2011)
• Dünya (2013)
• Hayal Gibi Ezgiler (2013)
• Seslerin Sırrı (2014)
• Aşina (2014)
• Ghazl El Banat (2015)
• Two Sides of Europe (2017)
• Ermeni Bestekârlar (2015)
• Gelenekten Geleceğe 30. Yıl (2018)
• Mihr (2019)

International Performances

Throughout his career, Oray Yay has performed extensively across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Australia. His concert appearances include performances with Istanbul Sazendeleri in countries such as China, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Chile, Iraq, Luxembourg, Estonia, and North Macedonia, including participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai and the Turkish Cultural Year events in China.

He has also appeared at major international venues and festivals, including:

• Tamburi Mundi Festival (Germany)
• Pera Ensemble (Germany)
• Mercan Dede Secret Tribe international tours across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Australia
• Sydney Opera House (Australia)
• Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra 60th Anniversary Concert
• Ludovico Einaudi’s Notte Della Taranta Italy Tour
• Europalia Festival with Burcu Karadağ Ensemble
• Performances with Taraf de Haïdouks in Italy
• International tours with Aylin Şengün Taşçı in Egypt, Uganda, and Nepal

Today, Oray Yay is recognized as one of Türkiye’s leading percussion artists, actively contributing to the preservation, performance, and international promotion of Turkish music through concerts, recordings, and educational work.