W hen Daryal “Kafkasso”
Erdem was 17 years old,
he learned of Friedrich
Nietzche’s famous quote,
“The secret of reaping the greatest
fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment
from life is to live dangerously.” Those
words persuaded Kafkasso to pursue his
love of music as a guitarist, rather than to
attend medical school in Istanbul, Turkey,
where he was born and raised.
Although his parents bought him a piano
at age 5, he did not truly start his musical
journey until he was 13, at which time
he received a guitar that allowed him to
express himself through music. It became
an obsession. He played nonstop, and he
began winning musical competitions that
led to him performing with famous Turkish
pop stars. He won a scholarship to Istanbul
Bilgi University to continue his musical
studies as he worked as a DJ online at
Turkey’s Radio Beta.
He came to the United States and received
a guitar scholarship to Northwestern
Michigan College. After graduation, he
played and taught guitar in Michigan
while developing and honing his technique
and style, creating original melodies
and developing his own interpretations
of modern and traditional songs. He is
influenced by the history and traditions of
his native Istanbul, and his original pieces
are reminiscent of the Turkish chants and
lively conversations at the bazaars.
He began performing throughout
Florida after moving to the state in 2009,
and continues to share his style of music,
38 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2020
which combines rock, flamenco and
Turkish melodies. Working with musicians
Ron Getz and Johanna Xenobia, and belly
dancer Omaris, he performs alone or with a
small band in addition to providing music
for major productions and private events.
He owns Romantika, Dunedin’s newest
event venue at 461 Grant St., which is open
by appointment on weekdays for venue
tours. Kafkasso performs there Saturday
evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The
venue offers beer, wine and hookah on
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Daryal Kafkasso Erdem
can be contacted at (727) 288-3174 or by
emailing him at daryal@kafkasso.com. For
more information, visit kafkasso.com.
MUSIC
KAFKASSO
A Passion for the Guitar
By Aaron R. Fodiman
Daryal Kafkasso Erdem leads the Kafkasso entertainment group of 12 artists from 12 nations,
performing Saturday evenings at Romantika, an event venue he owns at 461 Grant St. in Dunedin.
/kafkasso.com
link