Orhan Gencebay

About

Orhan Gencebay (born 4 August 1944) is a prominent Turkish musician, composer, and actor, known for his virtuosity on the bağlama. Born in Samsun to Crimean Tatar descent, Gencebay began his career in music at a young age, joining Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) as a bağlama player in his early twenties. He gained fame in the late 1960s with his unique fusion of Turkish folk, classical, and various world music genres, which became known as "Arabesque," although he personally rejected the term. Over his career, he founded Kervan Record Company and collaborated with many celebrated Turkish musicians. He has released over 35 singles and 15 albums, selling over 65 million records. Gencebay also acted in 36 films and composed music for nearly 90 films. He was named a State Artist of Turkey in 1998. Gencebay continues to be a significant figure in Turkish music and culture.