Odman’s passion for jazz began in his homeland of Istanbul, where he was influenced heavily early on by the jazz scene there. He began his musical studies at the age of eleven and would later travel to Sweden as a foreign exchange student for further tutelage. A full scholarship to Istanbul Bilgi University would follow where he’d earn his Bachelor’s in Music. His training would also be enhanced through participation in the School for Improv workshops held in New York City where he would quickly be awarded a Fulbright Scholarship which he’d use to attend William Paterson University, earning his Master of Music in Jazz Performance.
It was during the time of his extensive education that Odman began his professional career, playing and recording alongside artists such as Brian Lynch, Vincent Herring, and Peter Washington while in New York, performing at a host of clubs and festivals. And upon returning to Istanbul, the artist quickly inserted himself into the Turkish jazz scene, recording alongside Kerem Görsev and TRT Big Band while taking on hosting duties for Drum’n Jazz on Joy Jazz Radio while teaching drums at Bahçeşehir University Jazz Studies.
Odman’s talent on the drums offered him the opportunity to play on more than twenty-five recordings.
In 2010, he released Nommo, featuring trumpeter Brian Lynch, saxophonist Vincent Herring and bassist Peter Washington while 2011’s Autumn in New York featuring trumpeter Terell Stafford saw Downbeat magazine award the album 4 stars, with reviewer Ken Micallef writing, “Istanbul native Ferit Odman possess a pure, sparse, sweet drumming style that is subtle in intent and thoroughly musical.”
Now the artist is poised to lead his third release, Dameronia With Strings. Featuring the music of Tadd Dameron, swinging but touched with modern elements, the record presents a heartfelt melodic message from this jazz messenger whose fingerprints are all over it, from drums to production.
It’s a life that Ferit Odman feels blessed to be living, and is something that this rising jazz star doesn’t take for granted.
"I’m always grateful that I’m doing what I love as a job.”
And for Odman, that job is one of bringing the joy of jazz to the world, inviting listeners to take a musical journey with him down paths less travelled, discovering what lies at the end. It’s a journey that you won’t regret taking in the supremely capable hands of this musical ambassador.
