Yuri Turchyn

Yuri Bohdan Turchyn, 73, was not just a musician but a man who lived and breathed music. He departed this world on Sunday, April 14, 2024, peacefully in the arms of his wife, Christina. Born on June 16, 1950, in Trenton, New Jersey, he was a cherished member of a small but close-knit Ukrainian diaspora community where he served as an altar boy at St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church and was an active member of the Ukrainian scouting organization Plast.

His musical journey began at the tender age of six when he started playing the violin under the guidance of Professor Trytiak. His talent was evident when he won the Mercer County String Competition in high school. This early success paved the way for his exploration of other musical instruments and genres, such as the guitar, harmonies, and songwriting. The camaraderie he experienced at the Ukrainian scouting organization Plast and the scout camps left an indelible mark on him as a Ukrainian American performer.

Yuri graduated from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, in 1972 with a B.A. in International Studies. Despite the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in Edinburgh, he chose a different path. He moved back into the campus dorm with Andy Fediw and Jerry Kopychuk and co-founded the country rock band Kinderhook Creek, where his original songwriting skills shined. He also honed his classical voice techniques under the tutelage of Tom Rexdale, a prominent ragtime piano player and vocal coach known as the “Professor of Singing” out of Julliard. This diverse musical journey led to becoming arguably one of the most popular bands in New Jersey during the 1970s.

In the following decades, he explored and challenged himself as he delved into jazz influences with Now, Voyager. This was a precursor to his most notable project, Yuri Turchyn+GRUPO YURI (YTGY), a fusion of Latin, Jazz, and World Beat rhythms. The band's performances at A-list jazz festivals and clubs were a testament to Yuri's versatility and adaptability. As a lifelong working musician, he excelled in various roles, including singer-songwriter, arranger, session player, recording producer, and sound sculptor. His contributions to Jersey Shore's music history are undeniable, leaving a lasting imprint on the local music scene.

Yuri leaves his wife, Christina Kotlar, in great sadness; his sister, Luba Turchyn, in Virginia; and cousins, Antoinette and Natalie Shilkevich, in New Jersey. He also leaves extended Shilkevich-Turchyn family in Ukraine, Poland, and Trinidad and Tobago. A memorial liturgy will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 212 President Street, Passaic, New Jersey. Family and friends are welcome to celebrate his life at the brunch repast following the liturgy.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Yara Arts Group https://www.justgiving.com/yaraartsgroupinc

Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University is a registered 501c(3) charity whose mission includes preserving historical music-related materials. https://springsteenarchives.org/give/

Like a warrior, Yuri battled for his life. An In Memoriam Donations for amputees and traumatic brain injury therapy: Veteran Coalition International (VCI), https://www.vetcoa.org/, is a registered US public charity (IRS 501[c]3 organization) with partners around the world. West Point to Ukraine: The Journey of Colonel Hartwell.