Cumali was born in Brussels, Belgium in 1976 to a Turkish family from Emirdağ. Cumali Bulduk is a musician who has dedicated his life to the saz (or bağlama), blending Turkish traditions with contemporary influences.

He brought the study of the saz into Belgian music academies and his artistic journey bridges cultures while connecting past and present through his unique approach to music.

Cumali discovered his passion for music at the age of nine. By fourteen, he was already performing on stage at weddings and festivals, marking the beginning of an exceptional artistic journey.

His curiosity has led him to incorporate elements of jazz, rock, funk, and even Baroque music into his compositions, reinventing tradition while remaining deeply rooted in his cultural heritage.

Cumali has established himself on Belgian and international stages, from Europe to Turkey, as well as South Korea and Japan. Collaborating with artists from diverse backgrounds, he takes part in multicultural projects where each note becomes a bridge between cultures. Through his concerts, albums, and collaborative endeavors, he embodies a deeply humanistic and universal artistic vision.

Timline

  • 1999 – Ensemble Michel Terlinck :
    Collaboration unique entre musique flamande et bağlama.
  • 2004 – Kybele :
    Projet fusionnant jazz et musique populaire turque.
  • 2004 – Les soirées du Monde en Scène :
    Direction d’un laboratoire musical réunissant des artistes de divers horizons.
  • 2007 – Cumali & SazGround :
    Groupe mêlant folk, funk, rock et flamenco, composé de Dahlia Mees (violon), Marolito (guitare), Pascal Hauben (basse) et Jérôme Colleyn (batterie).
  • 2013 – Performances en Corée du Sud :
    Exploration des dialogues culturels entre traditions turques et coréennes.
  • 2013 – Cumali Trio :
    Formation d’un trio avec Manuel Hermia (bansuri et saxophone) et Stefan Pougin (percussions), proposant une fusion audacieuse entre styles traditionnels et jazz.
  • 2020 – Cumali Bulduk Quartet :
    Fusion des influences turques, baroques et contemporaines avec Emi Shiraki, Carlo Strazzante et Sébastien Paz Céroni.