Rasih Öztürk
Composer - Guitarist - Educator - Aspiring Author
Rasih Öztürk is a Boston-based guitarist, composer, music theorist, arranger and educator recognized for his versatile musical identity. Originally from Izmir, Turkey, he made his professional stage debut at age 14 and has since delivered over 1000 official performances spanning jazz, chamber, rock, and contemporary music. A former recipient of the prestigious Arif Mardin Scholarship, he earned his degree in Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Music in just 1.5 years on a full World Tour Scholarship, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.99 GPA.
As a recording artist and producer, Öztürk’s creative work spans from his solo debut album Early Bird to high-profile collaborations with international artists and Turkish rock icons, including Bulutsuzluk Özlemi co-founder Sina Koloğlu. His compositions synthesize historical traditions ranging from Renaissance counterpoint to post-bop and modern contemporary styles. His catalog features works such as the saxophone quartet piece "First Night at Newbury Street" and the release Live at Berklee with Friends via LoftCaz Records.
A dedicated educator with over 14 years of experience, Öztürk has mentored more than 100 long-term students worldwide, helping them secure admissions and full scholarships to top music institutions like Berklee and Longy. Currently teaching guitar, bass, theory, and composition at the Guitar Corner Music School in Boston, he is also an author completing two major instructional publications: Out of the Abstract: A Comprehensive Harmonic Technique for the 21st Century Musician and the ear-training method Tonal Memory Training
Some Academic & Career Highlights:
Summa Cum Laude (3.99/4 GPA) - Berklee College of Music
Full Tuition Scholarship - Berklee College of Music
Arif Mardin Scholarship - Berklee College of Music & American Turkish Society
Dean's List (All Semesters) - Berklee College of Music
President's Scholarship - Los Angeles College of Music
Merit + Academic Scholarship - Los Angeles College of Music
Full International Student Scholarship - University of St. Thomas, MN
Platinum Scholarship - McNally Smith College of Music
Dean's List - McNally Smith College of Music
1st Place - National Songwriting Contest by American Collegiate Institute
Best Bass Player - National Songwriting Contest by American Collegiate Institute
Talent Scholarship - The Collective School of Music, NYC
Sina Koloğlu
pianist, composer, journalist
founding member - Bulutsuzluk Özlemi
...he gave life to my composition 'Mevhibe'.
He made an orchestration that grasped the essence of the piece.
...great talent with his musical knowledge and ability to convey this to the musical spirit.
Especially his guitar tones are very impressive and his avant-garde approach to his compositions also draws attention...
Sal DiFusco
guitarist, composer
professor - Berklee College of Music
I always enjoy working with the fine, young, up and coming musicians
like Rasih Öztürk
that you just know will make a mark
on the industry. Rasih can do it all.
Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, a serious cat, with impeccable attention to detail!
A connection beyond his years.
Yiğit Yeşildağ
sound engineer, guitarist, producer
I knew I'd make great projects with him from the moment he walked into my studio, but I was too inexperienced to realize he was a genius.
Kavyesh Kaviraj
pianist, composer, educator
piano faculty - University of St. Thomas
Rasih is one of the most skilled musicians I've ever worked with.
His capacity to feel music encompasses a multitude of skills: as a composer, guitarist, improviser and teacher, he is of the finest international caliber.
His work ethic and drive to master every field he touches is unparalleled, and he is an excellent example of musicianship.