SUEDA CATAKOGLU
Süeda ÇATAKOÄžLU
Pianist • Composer • Vocalist • Storyteller
​Süeda ÇatakoÄŸlu is a genre-defying Turkish pianist, composer, and vocalist whose artistry weaves together classical depth, jazz sensibility, and poetic storytelling. From prestigious European concert halls to vibrant New York jazz clubs, her sound crosses borders and speaks to the soul.
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She began her musical journey in Turkey, and quickly rose through the ranks with notable awards from some of the most respected piano competitions in the country — including the Verda Erman Special Prize at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Piano Competition, 3rd Prize at the International Pera Piano Competition, and 2nd Prize at the Hacettepe National Piano Competition, where legendary pianist Ä°dil Biret served as the head of the jury. Their connection later deepened when Biret invited Süeda to perform alongside her in Ayvalık.
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Süeda studied at the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin on a full DAAD scholarship, where she performed solo and chamber music concerts at the iconic Pierre Boulez Saal, known for its Frank Gehry architecture and pristine acoustics. Her musical growth was further shaped through masterclasses with Daniel Barenboim, Klaus Thunemann, and other European masters.
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In 2021, she received a full scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she studied jazz composition, musical theater performance, and music production — graduating summa cum laude. At Berklee, she became a frequent collaborator and studio assistant, performing at venues like the Berklee Performance Center, and appearing as part of ensemble productions with celebrated artists such as Alkinoos Ioannidis.
Her debut album, Süeda Sings Sezen, is a tribute to iconic Turkish singer-songwriter Sezen Aksu, reimagined with jazz textures and chamber arrangements. The album received praise from international music critic Francesco Martinelli in Songlines Magazine and from Turkish music authorities like Murat BeÅŸer and Naim Dilmener. Aksu herself supported the project, gifting the rights to her songs for the release. The album continues to receive airplay on platforms such as Radio Voyage, and its release concerts have filled renowned venues including The Drom (NY) and The Mad Monkfish (Boston).
Süeda has also collaborated with a wide range of world music artists — from playing with Akihiro Kokufukata and Sinan Tokmeci at the Boston Turkish Film and Music Festival to joining Armenian-American oud player Tigran Amirian’s band Armada Tsayn at the Armenian Film Festival in Toronto. She was featured on their first single, Consideration.
Her EP “Chiron”, featuring acclaimed fretless guitarist Cenk ErdoÄŸan, dives into deeply personal themes of exile and healing. The lead song, performed live at the Berklee Performance Center, caught national attention and was even privately presented to the opposition party leader of Turkey during his visit to MIT. The song received press coverage in Turkey's major media.
Süeda is currently signed with Ahenk Müzik, one of Istanbul’s most respected folk and world music record labels. Following the release of Chiron, she is preparing her second studio album, with recording sessions starting in December.
Through each note she plays and every lyric she sings, Süeda invites her audience into a world that is raw, emotional, and defiantly authentic.
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