
Seyyan Hanim (Oskay 1913-1989)
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"I am known as one of the firsts. Before me, there were Fikriye Hanim, and Afife Hanim.
I met Fikriye Hanim at Moulin Rouge. She was older and huge. Her voice was not suitable for Necip Andel songs, rather she was singing operetta from Muhlis Sabahattin Bey, such as "Ayse".
Sabahattin Bey wanted me to be an actress in his operettas, and movies, but I refused. This was requiring another life style..."
"When we were singing in Moulin Rouge, nobody were dancing. Just the concert. I was going there with my mother, and leave together.
It was not the place that made me quit, but I could not adopt myself to the life there."
His
Master's Voice catalogue number 7 says;
"Seyyan Hanim, one of our dearest singers was born
in 1913 in Istanbul. After her secondary school, since she had perfect voice
and great tendency to the music, she started to Istanbul Conservatoire and
taught by Monsieur Talariko. She achieved outstanding success through her
concerts. She has very clear harmony in her voice, and takes the audience
to the summit of the joy. "
At conservatoire years she sang in French, and Italian. Her first concert was in Cinema Operetta in Kadikoy, Istanbul. She was just 16 years old.
She sung the songs like "Efem", "Coban Yildizi (Pole Star), "Aksam Garipligi (Night Gloomy)", "Zavalli Ask (Poor Love)" those reflected the musical style of the first Turkish Operetta works ( 1914 - 1920 ) from her master, Kaptanzade Ali Riza Bey. These were recorded by Columbia.
Afterwards she signed for His Master's Voice. She took stage at Moulin - Rouge between 1930 - 31. In 1932, she recorded the first Turkish Tango "Mazi (The Past)", composed by Necip Celal.
Although she also sang rumba, foxtrot, and march, her reputation was known with tango songs. She recorded around 50 LPs.Lastly she signed for Odeon and after recording couple of LPs, she completely left singing for commercial purposes. This is why Seyyan Hanim stays as a hidden Turkish Tango star. She joined to some radio programs, before she died at her home in Maltepe, Istanbul on 16th May 1989.
Celal Ince
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Celal Ince was born in Adana, a province on the South of Turkey, in 1921.
After his primary education, he attended to the conservatoire (was known as Musiki Muallim Mektebi). He taught music for a period of time.
In 1941 he moved to Istanbul, and the Manager of Ankara Radio Mesut Cemil Bey invited him to make productions. He started broadcasting with Fehmi Ege Orchestra, 3-4 days in a week.
He went back to Istanbul in 1946. His passion on Tango, and jazz music led him to compositions, and sing Tango with the orchestras.
Between
1948-49, he recorded the songs of Fehmi Ege, such as "Ayrilik (Separation)",
"Kiskaniyorum ( I Envy)", and
"Gonulden Sikayet (Complaining Heart)".
He went to the States, and attented to the conservatoire in 1955, and graduated in 1961. He composed some 10 tangos, such as; "Seni Dusunurken (Thinking of you)", "Hasret (Missing)", and "Prestis" He is still there and have it is own company.
Ibrahim Ozgur (1913-1959)
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"The date was 10.2.1959. He caught Fehmi Ege in eyes and said; Fehmi, I am in 49, two-thirds of the life has gone. 30th year of my music career.
I want to visit the world. Years ago, I had gone to Asia for the concerts. Spring comes early in India. There, neither flowers blossom early, nor timeless love cheat people.
But,
I, in my country felt in love timeless. I will never forget my beloved one,
my real prince till the end of my life (he had met a prince in India, and
they had loved each other)
I got lots of love letters while I was singing your songs in the radio. They were your music, I was singing, and getting the letters. I composed "Beyoglu", and "Yalan (Lie)", to deserve the love letters better.I have a few memories from then; a love story, 3-4 songs,and love letters from 10-15 years ago..."
Fehmi Ege stood up; "Ibrahim, I have to go. You know, my son's birthday is very soon. Do not forget to send carnation"
In 13.2.1959 news wrote that Ibrahim Ozgur was found dead in his bachelor house in 11.2.1959 because of a heart attack. They found a bouquet of carnation and a note on it; "To Engin, the lovely son of my dearest fellow, Fehmi"
After his first training on saxophone, and clarinet in ankara Music School, he started his professional life in Istanbul. He left Republic President Sypmhony Orchestra.
The first singers of Turkish Tango Music which was started in 1932 were all women. Ibrahim Ozgur is the first man soloist in Tango, and his first recording is in 1938. He had a romantic, and sentimental tune in his voice.
He
sang in Ankara Radio, and left Ankara 1942, and moved to Istanbul. His records
become very popular. In 1931, starting from Beirut, he toured to Far-East
for 7 years, with the orchestra he founded, Among the others he composed,
"Mavi Kelebek
(Blue Butterfly)" is his most loved Tango.
Secaattin Tanyerli
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During his high school years, Secaattin Tanyerli has become interested in Tango, and joined to the Beyoglu Public House Chorus, and attended to the private lessons from Goldenburg.
His professional life starts in 1942, and his first recording is in 1948. This record includes "Papatya (Daisy)", and "Ruzgar Gibi Gecti (Gone Like the Wind)" of Necdet Koyuturk with whom he met during his military service.
This record was the start of his fame. In 1949 he started singing in Radio Istanbul first with Necdet Koyuturk, and then Fehmi Ege.
He sang 43 years in the radio, and loved by the Turkish people. He recorded more than 30 stone recordings, 2 LP, and a CD.
He was awarded with a Golden Record. He has died in 2001.
Orchestras GalleryYou can find pictures of the Turkish Tango Orchestras here. There are some other orchestras currently, but these are not old enough to be included in the museum... Smile... |
Birsen Hanim
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She sang, and recorded around 1930 - 1940.
She was very popular among the women soloists.
She
recorded the song Zehra with the accompany of Park Hotel Orchestra.
Zehra was composed by M. Sonyioul
Zehra Eren

She
had a very special place in Turk Tango. She had kont-alto voice.
She was married to the composer Kadri Cerrahoglu for 30 years. In the 5th year of her marriage, her husband convinced her to be a singer.
She worked in the radios between 1951 and 1970. Afterwards, they broke up.
Mahmure Hanim

Mefharet Atalay

She started her music career as a Turkish Music Artist at Ankara Radio, and then she sang West European songs.
After she met Fehmi Ege she started singing Tango.
She also sang at Istanbul Radio.
She became an artist of State Theatre, and Istanbul State Opera and Ballet.
She died in a traffic accident in 16.July.1998.
Mualla Saylik

Mualla Saylik were studying with Emin Ongan on style and solfeggio.
She met Necip Celal in 16 November 1955, and this was a milestone on her career. She song his Tangos with a deep pleasure. Their friendship and respect lasted until Necip Celal's dead.
She performed in Hulusi Oktem's chorus for some time, and sang Necip Celal's Tangos in polyphonic forms.
While
she was in Ankara State Opera, she received vocal music training from Giuseppe
Momo in Istanbul Studios. They continued this training until 1964 when the
studio wasabondoned.
Between
1958 and 1960 she sang with Secattin Tanyerli in Fehme Ege Tango
Orchestra of Istanbul Radio.
In
1961 she founded the orchestra of Orhan Borar, and worked in that
orchestra until she stopped because of her health problems.
listen one of her interpretations GECMIS ZAMAN OLURKI
Nusret Bey

Saime Ketmen Serbetci

She is the sister of famous Turkish actor Hulisi Kentmen.
Saime Kentmen Serbetci was graduated from Ankara State Conservatoire from Vocal Music department in 1945.
Between 140 and 1945 she sang in Nihat Esengin, and Fehmi Ege Tango Orchestras of Ankara Radio.
Then after she worked only with Fehmi Ege.
She worked for Ankara Radio until she retired.
Seyyide Poroy

Seyyide Poroy has entered to the Conservatoire of Istanbul Municipality when she was 16. She was trained by Muhittin Sadak, Cemal Resit Rey, and Madamme Rozetal on Solfeggio, Harmony and Vocal Music, respectively.
She worked at Istanbul City Chorus for 12 years. She attended to Hulusi Oktem Chorus in 1960s.
She has 3 records at Colombia Catalogs of 1946.
She
sang 3 times in a week in Istanbul Radio, which was located on top of Galatasaray
Postoffice then. The orchestra was Iz Caz, which was founded
by Dr. Sami Ucar.She
recorded some soundtracks, and worked with Huseyin Saadettin Arel,
and Laika Karabey.
She
also sang arias, and lieds with the accompany of
Pianist Ferdi Stadzer.
Yasar Guvenir

Yasar
Guvenir is the son of Kanun Artist Osman Guvenir. Around
1940s he was in Radio Kids Club which was a great factor in training of lots
of artists. His childhood, and teenage were spend
in Ankara Radio.
He was the fan of Celal Ince. He was listening to Celal Ince from the radio studio while Celal Ince was singing. He tried to catch Celal Ince's voice tune in himself, and he was not hiding this.
He signed a contract for 10 record with the companies in 1940, but due to the lack of import of raw materials he managed to record only one.
He was effected by Fehmi Ege, but the most admired songs were "Yillarca Sabrettim (I was patient for years)", and "Sensiz Saadet Neymis (What is happines without you)"
He was very famous in his era, and worked for long years. He left music, since he was ill to death. He died in 10.Jan.1998.
Kadri Cerrahoglu

"I was composing an operette
in which
a drunken man sings a song. All of a
sudden I said to myself "Why not ? Why
not composing it as Tango ?" And I did.
Sarhosum, Sarhos... It is my first Tango."
Kadri Cerrahoglu was one of the non-professional Turkish Tango Composer. He
was a dentist.
His most popular compositions are "Emel (Desire)", "Simsiyah Bakislarin (Deep Black Looks)", Sarhosum Sarhos (I am Drunken Drunk)", "Leyla (A Turkish name for girls)", and "Anneme (To My mother)"
Anneme, is an unusual theme, and complains his lover to his mother. This song was recorded by Ibrahim Ozgur, who was the most famous man singer of the era, and accompanied by Park Hotel Orchestra. Park Hotel Orchestra was one of the few famous orchestras then.
Kadri Cerrahoglu died in 31.October.1983
when he was 80 years old. His daughter, who is the famous Turkish Soprano
Suna Korad is honored as State Artist. His son, Kerem Cerrahoglu has left
his training in conservatoire, after he settled in Istanbul.
Listen his composition
SARHOSUM, SARHOS
Zeki Muren
Zeki
Muren sang in 1954 in Istanbul Radio, accompanied by Fehmi Ege Orchestra.
Those were very sentimental, and beautiful interpretations.
Fehmi Ege had said that "He is interpreting so lovely that, he adds the differences that I did not think before"
Zeki Muren was loved very much by the public until his recent death. His fame was primarily on Turkish Classical Art Music.
Erol Buyukburc

He was born in Adana, and completed his primary education first at Frere Maris School in Halep, and then at Adana Kemal Pasa School. After his secondary education he attended to Conservatoire of Istanbul Municipality. His singing-master was Alis Rozental. He left his college education at his 3rd year.
His music career started in his high school years with Ismet Siral orchestra in Caddebostan Casino. He continued to sing during his military service. After his successfull singer career he decided to work on compositions, and interpretations.
He
was reformist, creative and multi talented. He will be remembered by his innovations
to Turkish Pop Music. He played the main roles in 27 musical comedies, and
win wards in international competitions, and festivals.
After the Tango Funs Assosication was founded in Istanbul, he published 13 tangos between 1980-86. He had also published 16 tangos in between 1994-95. There are another 16 tangos of him, which were not published.
Gokhan Ayelli

Gokhan Ayelli is a Tenor. He is from The Opera of Istanbul Monopoly, and State Opera. He worked in Istanbul studios of State Opera, and worked with Necip Celal for some time.
Guven Aydin

He was born in 12.August.1940 in Istanbul. He was graduated from the Piano Section of the Conservatoire of Istanbul Munucipality.
His professional career started with his own orchestra in 1957. Between 1957-1985 he sang in English, Spanish, and Italian in Istanbul, and Izmir.
He met the composer Fehmi Ege in 1963. Upon his request, he started singing Tango with Fehmi Ege Orchestra at Istanbul Radio. He was accepted to the official employment at Istanbul Radio in 1967.
He produced weekly programmes with his own orchestra. He also occupied the Tune Master position of Istanbul Radio.
He continues his music career with his piano performances since 1985 to date. He is also playing with the Tango Orchestra of Istanbul Radio and Television.