Orhan Gencebay is a prominent Turkish musician, composer and actor who is widely considered to be one of the pioneers of the Turkish Arabic music genre.
Born on August 4, 1944 in Samsun, Turkey, Gencebay began his musical journey at a young age, learning to play various traditional instruments such as the violin and bagrama.
He fuses Turkish folk music with elements of jazz, rock and other genres to create a new sound that resonates deeply with audiences.
contour
- Full name: Orhan Gensebe
- Date of birth: August 4, 1944
- Age: 80 years old
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Samsun, Türkiye
- Nationality: Turkish
- Occupation: Musician, composer, actor
- Height: Not applicable
- Parents: Not applicable
- Brothers and sisters: Ilhan Eitan, Burhan Kemsbey, Doan Kemsbey
- Spouses: Azize Gencebay (m. 1966; divorced 1977), Sevim Emre (m. 1978)
- Children: Alban Gencebay and Gökhan Gencebay
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion:Islam
- Ethnicity: Turkish
- Net worth: $32 million
early life and education
Orhan Gencebay is 80 years old. He was born on August 4, 1944 in Samsun, Türkiye. He showed a keen interest in music from an early age and began studying violin and mandolin at the age of six.
At the age of seven, he began playing the baglama, a traditional Turkish instrument. His early musical education included lessons in Turkish folk music and classical Ottoman court music. At the age of ten, he composed his first composition.
As a teenager, Gencebay became involved in jazz and rock music while attending high school. He played tenor saxophone in several orchestras and continued to develop his skills at the Istanbul Conservatoire. After his military service, where he played saxophone in a military band, he began pursuing opportunities in radio and film music.
personal life
Orhan Gensebe was married twice. His first wife: Azize Gencebay (married 1966; divorced 1977). His second wife: Sevim Emre (m. 1978). Orhan has two children, Alban Gencebay and Gökhan Gencebay.
Profession
Orhan Gencebay’s career officially began in the late 1960s, when he began recording singles that showcased his innovative style. His first major success was the release of “Bill Tseley Vail” In 1970, this made him a leading figure in the Turkish music industry.
Over the years, Gencebay has developed a unique blend of traditional Turkish folk music with influences from various genres such as jazz and rock.
In addition to being a musician, Gencebay has appeared in many films and served as music director for many Turkish film productions. He founded the Kervan Record Company in 1972, which was instrumental in promoting other artists in the genre.
During his fifty-plus-year career, Gencebay released nearly thirty-five singles and fifteen albums and composed approximately one thousand compositions. His albums have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide.
Awards
- Recognized as one of the most influential figures in Turkish music history
- Winner of several awards for his contribution to Turkish cinema
- Honorary titles of various cultural institutions
net worth
Orhan Gencebay has an estimated net worth of approximately $32 million, accumulated through his extensive and successful music career.
dispute
Orhan Gencebay’s career was not without controversy. Although he is best known for his contributions to Turkish music, some critics dispute the classification of his works within the Arabesque genre.
Gencebay himself sometimes rejects the label, considering it insufficient to define his diverse musical style that incorporates elements from different genres.
His departure from traditional norms also drew criticism from purists who felt that his fusion approach diluted the authenticity of Turkish folk music. Despite these criticisms, Gencebay’s innovative sound earned him a large following and cemented his status as a cultural icon.
social media
film chronology
- “Gulbert Kuslari” (1983)
- “Detbend” (1985)
- “Ikimizin Yellin” (1987)
- “Yıkılmadım” (1989)
discography
- “Sensitive Olmaz” (1970)
- “Bill Tseley Vail” (1971)
- “Dil Arasi” (1973)
- “Kerr Cinchlerini” (1980)
- “Mavi Mavi” (1985)