Ali Perret
Head of Piano and Composition Department
Ali Perret, born in Brooklyn, New York, is the Head of the Piano and Composition Department at Kentsanat Academy. During his years at Istanbul State Conservatory (1970-1980), he studied composition with İlhan Usmanbaş and piano with Selman Ada. In 1983, he graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music in piano, jazz music composition, and arrangement. During this period, he worked with renowned figures like Herb Pomeroy, Michael Gibbs, and Ray Santisi.
He has been involved in various music projects and groups, including "Istanbul Jazz Quartet" (1985-90, acoustic jazz), "acid-trippin" (1995-2003, new funk, electronic jazz), "Mingus-Trippin" (2000), "Free'key trio "(2004), "Zero Generation" (contemporary dance music, 2005), and "Nonetonal Quartet" (2008), among others.
Ali Perret is known for his versatility in composing and playing music in different styles and concepts, including contemporary orchestral music, electro-acoustic music groups, contemporary Big-Band music, contemporary electronic music, and electronic club music.
He has collaborated with artists from various disciplines and has worked in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Turkey. Some of the artists he has worked with include Craig Harris, Ricky Ford, Lawrence Butch Morris, Ira Coleman, Thurman Barker, Hans Ulrik Jensen, Carla Cook, Francis Bourec, Arto Tunçboyacı, Erkan Oğur, Hüseyin Alptekin, Can Yücel, Tuncel Kurtiz, and more.
Currently, Ali Perret has completed the recording of his latest album titled "On The Move" with his new group "Ali Perret’s DU.DU," featuring renowned duduk master Suren Asatryan, Greek double bassist and composer Apostolos Sideris, percussionist Berkant Çakıcı, bass clarinetist Oğuz Büyükberber, and young Greek violinist Giannis Poulios.
Apart from his musical endeavors, Ali Perret is actively working on an interdisciplinary academy project.
You can find more information about Ali Perret and his work on his website: https://www.aliperret.com/