Evren Ozan...
An Old Soul Returned to the People by Nancy J. Reid

Evren Ozan is a young musician who has embraced the spirit of Native American music. On a cross-country trip he bought a cedar flute, with his own pocket money, on a stop at the Grand Canyon. He admitted he did not know why he wanted it, that he had never seen anyone play it and had no idea how to play one.

Later, at a scenic lookout in the Grand Canyon, Evren started to play. He played well enough to draw a listening crowd and has been playing and performing ever since that day in 1999. He has been called a spontaneous and natural player by his teachers, a Native American flute prodigy by the press, and "an old soul returned to the People."

Evren and his teacher Guillermo Martinez entertain, teach and inspire. It is readily apparent that the interaction between the two is based on mutual respect of each other and all living things and cultures. Looking at the faces in the audience, you can see the effect the two have as the listeners visibly relax, lean forward and really listen.

Evren is remarkably calm and the music that he creates is extremely spiritual. He plays a variety of flutes, double, single, wooden and clay. His fingers virtually fly, almost without effort, his face is still, and he creates intricate melodies of beauty that sound like nature. Even though he loves World Music and writes and performs his own songs, Evren loves to ride his bike, skate board, and do the same things young adults of 13 like to do.

Evren was the recipient of the Native American Music Rising Star Award for 2001. Since then he has produced his first CD with Fifth Sun, called "Images of Winter". Evren recorded "As Things Could Be" when he was nine years old with musicians of 35th Parallel and guest performers Graham Wiggins (aka Dr. Didg) and Guillermo Martinez. Evren was awarded "Rising Star" by the Native American Music Awards in Feb. 2005 for this album.

His latest CD, "Alluvia" was recorded at Possum Hall Studio just before Evren's 13th birthday, and released Nov, 2006. Evren explains why he named the CD Alluvia in this sound clip from the The Big Blend Magazine interview with him in December 2006. Just click on the play button.

Evren's favorite song on "Alluvia" is Jacaranda. Combining African and Middle Eastern rhythms with his Native American melodies produces a spiritual music that is easy to listen to, while it seems to bring the outdoors indoors. To listen to a clip of Jacaranda, click the play button below.


Together with his mother and manager, Faith, Evren often performs at elementary and middle schools, bringing a selection of flutes, drums and rattles to show and inspire his peers. He has performed at pow wows, art galleries, festivals and fund-raisers and over the last two years he has traveled to Europe doing solo concerts in Glastonbury, (UK), Berlin, and Belgium.

To listen to our February 2008 interview with Evren, an excerpt from our Champagne Sundays online radio show (includes the song Loss), please double click on the Play button below.

To watch a video on few moments in Evren's musical life from age six to the present. please click here. .