Arif Mardin

Arif Mardin was a Turkish-American music producer and arranger who worked with hundreds of artists across many genres of music, including jazz, rock, soul, disco and country. He was born into a prominent family in Istanbul, Turkey, and grew up listening to American music. He studied at Istanbul University and the London School of Economics before moving to the United States on a music scholarship from Quincy Jones. He joined Atlantic Records in 1963 and became one of the most influential producers and arrangers in the music industry, working with legends such as Aretha Franklin, the Bee Gees, Hall & Oates, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Carly Simon, Phil Collins and Norah Jones. He won 11 Grammy Awards and was nominated for 18 more. He also released two solo albums, Glass Onion and All My Friends Are Here. He was known for his musical versatility, his innovative techniques and his warm personality. He died in 2006 from pancreatic cancer at his home in New York. He was 74 years old. He is survived by his wife Latife, his son Joe, his daughter Julie and his grandchildren. He is buried in Karacaahmet Cemetery in Istanbul, Turkey.