Cem Koksal was born in Istanbul in 1976.  His first musical experience and instrument was the mandolin eventually taking up the guitar in 1987.  He studied the guitar in earnest eventually taking lessons from Derya Yener in 1991 and 1992.  During this time Cem was influenced by the rock bands of the day before his musical direction and productivity took a new path largely thanks to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach - most notably the the movement "Air". 

From them on Classical Music played a large part in Cem's life and his music reaped the benefits seeing tonal modes coming into play.  To this day JS Bacj has remained a huge influence.  Another artist that had a huge influence on Cem was Yngwie Malmsteen with Odyssey being a life changing experience.  It was here that Cem started to incorporate swept arpeggios into his vocabulary.

When Cem felt that he had reached a standard good enough to put his music into reality he began work on his debut album.  Cem around this time got together band members strong enough to help perform his vision and also set about designing and building his own studio, this became reality in 2002 and was named Studio 29. 

Cem's debut album 'Set Me Free' was completed in 2003 and has been gaining good press around the world since its release. The sound of Set Me Free is epitomised by an early Rising Force influence matched up with excellent lead work and on certain tracks a Mediterranean flair and influence. 2006 saw Cem hook up with ex Rainbow/Malmsteen vocalist Joe Lynn Turner for a live cd/dvd entitled "Live!"

Guitars
Fender Stratocaster w/DiMarzio Fast Track pickups
Ovation acoustic

Amps
Marshall JMP-1 Preamp
Marshall 9100 Power amp
Marshall 1960 4x12"
Dod YJM308 Overdrive/Preamp

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