The group, founded in 1996 by Levent Akman (percussion, rhythm machines, toys), Murat Ertel (saz and other strings,vocal) and Emre Onel (darbuka, sampler, vocal) in Istanbul, was joined by Oya Erkaya (bass guitar,vocal) in 2003.

With its specifically unique sound created by melding traditional Turkish musical instruments with electronic elements, Baba Zula has brought a brand new dimension to Turkish Folk Music. Baba Zula’s music is basically an amalgamation of recorded natural sounds with both traditional and modern acoustic and electronic musical instruments, a culmination of disparate electronic effects. Starting out by improvisations, later fixed into musical elements which make up their music such as theme, tune, style and sound, reached through recordings and rehearsals, the group has carried this method of “defined improvisation” into concerts, movies, theatrical plays, use of video, slides and films, prepared by the additional members who have joined forces with the core group in its live performances.

The group, which from the very beginning has shown great interest in featuring guest musicians and players in concerts and albums, has been accompanied by stars such as the Thracian Selim Sesler (clarinet master), the Canadian singer Brenna McCrimmon (specialized in Balkan folk music), Okan Özpoyraz (drummer), Fahrettin Aykut (drummer), Tuncel Kurtiz (movie star and player), Ahmet Ugurlu (movie star and player), Hüsnü Senlendirici (Clarinet master from “Laço Tayfa”), Ralph Carney from San Fransisco (saxophonist) and the diva Semiha Berksoy (first Turkish opera singer and painter).

Baba Zula’s debut album, “ Tabutta Rovasata = Somersault in the Coffin” (Ada Music), including the original soundtrack for dervis Zaim’s first movie with the same title about a car thief who returned the cars he stole to their owners and fell in love with a peacock, was released in 1996. The album also includes four songs in which the movie stars Ahmet Ugurlu, Tuncel Kurtiz and Aysel Aydemir contribute in vocals.

Their album, “ 3 Oyundan 17 Müzik” (Doublemoon) comprising music created for the plays “ The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint Exupery, “ Frog Tales” by Arnold Lobel and “ Kitchen Accidents” by Perihan Magden, was released in 1999. Apart from a number of other artists, Ralph Carney, Brenna McCrimmon and Selim Sesler have also taken part in this album as guest stars. Baba Zula, who has also made the music for the film “ Renkli Türkçe = Colored and in Turkish”, directed by Ahmet Cadirci and about a movie mechanic falling in love with an ex-pornstar, has also taken stage in Britain and Macedonia. Baba Zula also opened Manu Chao concert which took place in June 2002 during Efes Pilsen Summer Festival.

Levent Akman and Murat Ertel of Baba Zula were invited to Cologne, Germany to perform with two German musicians Gerard Doeke and Norbert Torzik at the Mediteranneen Film Festival on the 6th and 8th of December In April 2003, Baba Zula did a concert at the Festival of “Printemps de Bourges” in front of fifty thousand spectators.

Zen, Baba Zula members former band (Levent Akman and Murat Ertel) received the “best original score” award for “Dokuz / Nine” by Ümit Ünal at SIYAD (Turkish Cinema Writers Association) and Ankara International Film Festival in January 2003.

Their third and latest album “Psychebelly Dance Music released in May 2003 was mixed and mastered by the British musician and producer Mad Professor who previously worked with Massive Attack , The Orb, Lee Perry and alikes.

Their fourth album “ Duble Oryantal” which is released on Doublemoon Records by the end of May 2005, is again mixed and mastered by Mad Professor The band played at Roskilde Festival on 3rd of July, 2004.