| Legendary Producer Arif Mardin Dies
June 26, 2006
Berklee alumnus Arif Mardin '61—one of the most prolific and successful producers and arrangers in pop music history—passed away last night of pancreatic cancer. The mastermind behind classic recordings by superstar artists such as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, the Bee Gees, Bette Midler, Phil Collins, and Norah Jones, Mardin won 12 Grammy Awards—twice winning Producer of the Year—and helped steer the production of more than 40 gold and platinum records.
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| Watch a Quicktime Slideshow of Arif Mardin at Berklee |
| Slide show music is "Yesteryears," composed and arranged by Arif Mardin. It was recorded by the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra during Mardin's student days and features faculty member Charlie Mariano on alto saxophone. |
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Born in 1932 in Istanbul, Turkey, Mardin began his Berklee studies in 1958 after being recommended for a scholarship by Quincy Jones. He graduated in 1961 and later joined Atlantic Records, where he eventually became senior vice president.
"[He was] one of three seminal figures, along with Quincy Jones and Toshiko Akiyoshi, who, as students, were at the root of the college's early success and broad international influence," said Berklee president Roger Brown.
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Arif Mardin at a 2004 Berklee lecture. |
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Photo by Phil Farnsworth |
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Mardin was a central member of the team that helped launch Aretha Franklin's career, working as arranger and coproducer on her 1967 debut album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You. Mardin remained close to Franklin throughout her career and last saw her at Berklee in May, when Franklin received an honorary degree at commencement.
Mardin's versatility and ability to change with the times was one of his strong suits; when he wasn't sculpting the sound of r&b smashes like "Respect," he was working with artists like Willie Nelson, Smashing Pumpkins, and Culture Club. And he never failed to meet his own high standard throughout his career, as some of his most critically acclaimed work came just a few years ago, on Norah Jones's multi-Grammy-winning Come Away with Me.
While Mardin's high-profile accomplishments placed him in a select circle, he always fostered close ties with his alma mater. He taught at Berklee for a year immediately after graduating, was a longtime member of the board of trustees, and was an overseer of the college at the time of his death. He was a strong supporter of Berklee, in word and deed, returning often for events or to work with students. Mardin delivered commencement addresses in 1971 and 1983, and he received an honorary degree in 1985, the same year his son Joe, also a producer and arranger, graduated from the college.
According to published reports, a memorial service will be held in New York and a burial in Turkey.
Related Links
- Board Certified (Berklee.edu, March 4, 2004)
- Arif Mardin in His Own Words (Berklee Today December, 2002)
- The Hit Maker (Berklee.edu, February 16, 2001)
- Arif Mardin, Music Producer for Pop Notables, Dies at 74 (New York Times, June 27, 2006)
- Producer Arif Mardin Remembered as Man with Golden Musical Touch (Voice of America, June 28, 2006)
- TEC Hall of Fame Honoree Arif Mardin (Mix magazine, October 1, 2005)
- Arif Mardin: Tales from the Recording Studio (NPR's All Things Considered, December 2002)
- Arif Mardin biography and a stunning list of credits (Allmusic.com)
- Legendary Producer/Arranger Arif Mardin Dies (Billboard, June 26, 2006)
- Music Producer Arif Mardin Dies at 74 (BBC News, June 26, 2006)
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