Dr. Onur Yüce – Composer | Saxophonist | Educator

Dr. Onur Yüce is a composer, saxophonist, and educator whose work bridges jazz, musical theatre, and ethnomusicology. With a career spanning performance, composition, and academic research, he specializes in late 20th- and 21st-century music, blending improvisation, multicultural influences, and experimental storytelling.

Onur’s compositions have been performed in theatres, concert halls, and on screen, with notable works including Bacha Posh (2024), an award-winning hip-hop musical exploring gender and identity, and Constantina Pole (2021), a vibrant drag queen musical drawing from Turkish cabaret and Western pop influences. He has also composed for film and television, including projects for Netflix, Star TV, and TRT documentaries.

A classically trained saxophonist with a background in jazz improvisation, Onur studied at Berklee College of Music, specializing in jazz and film scoring. His playing style reflects a deep engagement with postbop, contemporary jazz, and world music traditions, and he has performed extensively across Europe.

As an ethnomusicologist and educator, Onur holds a PhD in Musical Composition from Royal Holloway, University of London, where his research examined musical theatre as a form of sociopolitical critique in the Middle East. He has taught at Royal Holloway, Hacettepe University, and various conservatoires, mentoring students in composition, jazz performance, and world music traditions.

Currently based in London, Onur continues to compose, perform, and collaborate on cross-genre, cross-cultural projects. He is actively involved in the UK jazz scene, working with ensembles and seeking new creative collaborations.