Gökhan Yücel was born in Istanbul in 1977. His encounter with classical and sufi Turkish music started in the old quarters of the Old City of Istanbul in the mid-1980s. During this same period, he had the opportunity to attend 'meşk' sessions under the supervision of several performers. He became a student in Nezih Uzel's (1939-2012)  renowned musician, journalist and author- home sessions .

He learned about classical Turkish percussion instruments such as kudüm, bendir, halile and daire from Uzel in the 1990s. Several Mevlevi ayins and other forms of tekke music were practiced during these tutorials and collective small-group performances (meşk). Old recordings were also anaylsed. Yucel also met late descendants of living sufi schools. While studying journalism in Marmara University (1996-1999) he studied classical Turkish music with Ruhi Ayangil - a Turkish composer, conductor and kanun player.

Gökhan Yücel co-founded Oxford Maqam with Martin Stokes and their first performance was staged with particapation of Lebanese ney player Mahmoud Natout in 2008. 

For more about Gökhan Yücel's professional background please see: about.me/gokhanyucel