Head Drum Instructor

Cengiz worked as a full-time music instructor at Istanbul Bilgi University from 2000 to 2006. In addition to holding lessons at Red House Music and Rehearsal Studio, Cengiz contributes to music education as a clinician for Istanbul Agop Cymbals. Each year, he holds several drum workshops nationally. 

Cengiz started his music education in Los Angeles California at the Musicians Institute where he graduated with honors. He received his AA degree in Music at Los Angeles City College and his BA degree in music performance graduating from Berklee College of Music. 

Some of the international festivals where he performed include North SeaJazz (2002), Blue Note N.Y. (2002), Montreux Jazz (2003), Jazz a Vienne (2003), Ethnosur (2003), Vilnius Jazz (2005), Rocella Jazz (2006),  Joe Zawinul’s Birdland Vienna (2006), Umbria Jazz (2008), Beale St. Music Festival (2008), Rock and Coke Istanbul (2009), and Vodafone Freezone (2015-2016).

Artists he has worked with include: Lee Konitz, Mark Murphy, Dave Samuels, Alan Harris, Eve Cornelius, Chip Crawford, Dena De Rose, and Paula West. Notable artists that he has worked with as a sideman include Mercan Dede (2003 European tour), Kerem Gorsev, Oguz Buyukberber, Ayse Tutuncu, Demirhan Baylan, Tuna Otenel, Okay Temiz with Izmir Symphonic, Cemal Resit Rey Big Band, Nicholas Simion, and Nguyen Le.

Cengiz is well known for his collaboration with the Turkish Rock band Duman. He recorded six albums with the band from 2002 to 2013 and toured from 2007 to 2016. The band’s popularity exposed him to larger audiences and he was voted the best drummer in Turkey in 2008 by Volume Magazine’s readers poll.

Nowadays, Cengiz lives in New Jersey. You can watch him performing live with his original band Blue Garage Band, with Eldad Tarmu, PJ Parker’s quartet, or Jersey Shore Jazz Quartet. Cengiz has been endorsed by Istanbul Agop Cymbals , DW Drums, and Vic Firth Sticks.

“Every musician, [and] every student is different, therefore I believe in an adaptive studying program specially designed for each student. My general approach is Alan Dawson/Gary Chester Style systems practicing but I adapt my teaching including songs, rudimental studies, coordination studies, [and] reading material according to the musical goals of the student.” -Cengiz Baysal