Tamer Pinarbasi was born in Karaman, Turkey in 1970. He attended the Istanbul Technical University State Conservatory of Turkish Music, where he developed his own technique for playing the kanun (zither). Instead of using msrabs (plectrums) on each pointer finger, he plays with his fingernails, a technique which allows him to use all ten of his fingers while playing. Combining this technique with his knowledge of makam (Turkish modal system) and western harmony, Mr. Pinarbasi has become one of the world’s greatest kanun virtuosos. He has appeared on literally hundreds of recordings with the top singers of Turkey, and has performed solo concerts throughout Europe. Over the past few years, he has been a featured instrumentalist and composer in the New York Gypsy Allstars Band, which also features clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski.