Müzeyyen Senar

Müzeyyen Senar was a Turkish art music singer born Müzeyyen Dombayoğlu on July 16, 1918, near Bursa. She relocated to Istanbul at age 12 and studied at the Üsküdar Musiki Cemiyeti. Senar made her radio debut and released her first recording in 1933. She performed for President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1936. Her discography included the studio albums Gecenin Matemini (1971) and Ben Seni Unutmak İçin Sevmedim (1975). She ceased public performances in 1983 but returned in 1998 with the album Bir Ömre Bedel, featuring collaborations with Sezen Aksu and Tarkan. She appeared in the 2005 documentary Crossing the Bridge – The Sound of Istanbul. Senar suffered a stroke in 2006 but resumed activity following therapy. She received the nickname “Üç dev Çınar” from the Turkish public. Senar died on February 8, 2015, in Izmir.