Ali Doğan Gönültaş sings and plays tembur and acoustic guitar. He is also an extremelly gifted arranger, artistic producer and composer.
He was born in Kiğı, Eastern Anatolia, in a family for which, as most of the Alevi ones, music is anessential way of transmitting the history of hispeople. The emotion in his expressive voice, the dreamy melodies of his compositions, and his profound background shine in all their splendour in the magnificent debut album “Kiğı,” for which the artist spent over ten years conducting field research.Kiğı, which is also the birthplace of themusician, describes the specific musical language and style of an Anatolian/Mesopotamiansettlement. This self-produced album has opened doors to European stages.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, he has performed in more than40 concerts in Spain, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Belgium and Jordan, in addition to performances in Turkey, at benchmarkvenues such as Fundação Gulbenkian (Lisbon), UrkultFestival (Nasaker, Sweden),Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg)or Jerash Festival (Jordania).He contributed to the soundtracks of films such as My Own Life (2014) and Şeng (2021) and he took part in the project titled “Voice of the City as an Example of Intangible Cultural Heritage(Diyarbakır)” as a composer.
Presented by Moz Events, the stage for spotlighting the vibrant and varied rhythms of Kurdistan in the UK, kindling a passion for its music and culture through live music events and cultural happenings. Their mission is to create a platform where Kurdish musicians can freely share their talents and bond with audiences. They aim to create a welcoming and inclusive community that celebrates the diversity of music and culture! Bringing Kurdish musicians and communities together in the UK and EU, showcasing multi‐cultural events.
Ali Doğan Gönültas Reviews
“Gönültaş possesses a voice that demands attention, at times it’s like a cry from the heart,then cajoling and joyful. Joined by two excellent musicians, percussionist Ali Kutlutürk and clarinettist Fırat Çakılcı, Gönültaş is the ultimate showman.” Jo Frost, about the concert in Førdefestivalen (Norway)” –
“One of the most enjoyable concerts was Ali Doğan Gönültaş with his trio. He sin gs and plays tembur and guitar with clarinet and percussion. He’s a rising star on the Kurdish music scene and has a totally engaging personality, smiling, laughing and inviting you in. [...] Gönültaş is a first-rate performer” –
“Gradually, the audience, sitting on chairs, started to move more and more to the music and rhythms of Gönültaş and his two companions Ali Kutlutürk on percussion and Fırat Çakılcı on clarinet. A rhythmically undulating, clapping crowd began to form. This led to a cheerful interaction between the three men on stage and the audience. The world needs more people like Ali Doğan Gönültaş.” –
