Mustafa Sarışın

About

Early Life & Musical Beginnings

He was one of the artists who devoted the most effort to Anatolian pop. He became interested in music at a young age and taught himself guitar. Together with friends from his neighborhood, he began playing in movie theaters before the films started, and was later “promoted” to performing at wedding halls.

Siluetler and International Experience

He joined the band Siluetler and, after a while, appeared on stage in Kuwait. When he returned to Turkey, he became a member of Ağrı Dağı Efsanesi, a group formed in 1972 by Murat Ses (who had left Moğollar) and Nejat Toksoy (former vocalist of Mavi Işıklar). The band took its name from a composition by Murat Ses.

Mount Ağrı (Ararat) is the highest mountain in Turkey. Our goal is to make the ‘highest’ music in Turkey. Mount Ağrı is famous worldwide because of its place in the Noah’s Ark story. As a Turkish band, our aim is to reach the hearts of the whole world.
— Murat Ses

Ağrı Dağı Efsanesi

Starting with school concerts, the group released two 45-rpm singles during its brief seven-month existence:

• “Deli Gönül Neylersin / Düşenin Dostu Olmaz” (1972)
• “Gün Doğmadan Neler Doğar / It’s All Right” (1973)

Despite their big ambitions, Ağrı Dağı Efsanesi—comprising Murat Ses (organ, piano, harmonica), Nejat Toksoy (vocals, kazoo, drums), Mustafa Sarışın, Nadir Uygun (drums), Erhan Akdoğan (bass), and Fikret Ural (guitar)—disbanded in May 1973.

Later Career

After a period working with Esin Afşar, Mustafa Sarışın joined Kurtalan Ekspres. He toured and took part in recording sessions with the band. Meanwhile, alongside guitar he also took up bowed tanbur, bağlama, ıklığ, and zurna. Following his military service, he became the bass guitarist for a foreign orchestra performing at the Sheraton Hotel, playing abroad with that ensemble as well. He later joined Edip Akbayram ve Dostlar and left after recording a few important singles.