Jazz artist Bozkurt İlhami Gencer, one of Turkey's first pianist singers, passed away at the age of 100.
His son, Bora Gencer, shared his father's death on his social media account: "My father, Turkey's father, is the reason for my existence. We lost Bozkurt İlham Gencer, a good person in the world. We are in great sadness. We worked hard, we put a lot of effort. I wish we could get more.” announced with his words.
Gencer, who made significant contributions to the spread of jazz music in Turkey, celebrated his 30th birthday with a special event in Bodrum on 2022 August 100.
The artist, who started his music career at the age of five with the lessons he received from his mother and playing the console piano in their home, has also produced many unforgettable works.
Speaking to reporters in front of their house in Bodrum, Gencer said, “He was a solid person. He was strong both in character, body and head. But today, unfortunately, we did not expect it, it was sudden.” said.
He said that they will take his father's funeral to Istanbul by plane tomorrow, and they will bury him in Zincirlikuyu Cemetery on Friday after Friday prayers.
Who is İlhami Gencer?
Bozkurt İlham Gençer (Born in 1925, Istanbul – Died in 25 May 2023 in Muğla), Turkish jazz pianist, singer.
Gencer, one of Turkey's first pianist singers, contributed significantly to the spread of jazz music in the country. Known as the initiator of Turkish spoken pop music, Gencer still sings actively. She celebrated her 30th birthday with a special event in Bodrum on August 2022, 100. Ajda Pekkan, who she brought to the art world, sang in the night. Many celebrities attended the night organized by his son Bora Gencer.
İlham Gencer had two marriages: He married singer Ayten Alpman in 1953. They divorced in 1961. He made his second marriage to Necla Gencer. His children Bora Gencer, Ayşe Gencer and İlhan Gencer were also interested in music. İbrahim Gencer, son of Münür Gencer, the uncle of İlham Gencer, was the wife of the famous soprano Leyla Gencer. Gencer became a tax record holder in 1960. In 1997, the 50th art jubilee was held.
Gencer, who founded the “Association for the Protection and Sustenance of the Beauties of Istanbul” ten years ago, defined himself as a staunch Turkish nationalist. Gencer, who served as a consultant to Alparslan Türkeş for many years, became a MHP deputy and mayoral candidate from Istanbul. In 2008, by a court decision, he deleted Osman from his real name, “Ilham Osman Gencer” and changed his name to “Bozkurt İlham Gencer”. The song "My Memleketim", which was very popular in the 1970s and sang by his ex-wife Ayten Alpman, did not include the concepts of Turkishness, homeland, and flag, and this song, which was actually an arrangement of a Jewish song, was passed over to the society as a national song on the occasion of the Cyprus Campaign. He claimed that it was not his wife's fault, that he was just deceived. According to him, this was a part of the “assimilation in music” project that has been implemented in Turkey for many years. Today, İlham Gencer continues to perform at Pera Palas.
Gencer died on May 25, 2023 at the hospital in Bodrum, where he was treated, at the age of 98.[
plates
- “Look, Once Upon a Time”, 1961. He was accompanied by the vocal group “Karakedis” on this 78-cycle stone plaque.
- “Zamane Kızları”, 1965. The song, which was the finalist of the Golden Microphone competition, was published by Hürriyet newspaper as a 45-record record.
- “Volare”, a 45 vinyl record, printed by the Turkish Ministry of Press and Tourism in Milan.
- “One Night Alone / Just Don't Do It”, Odeon record. 45 vinyl.
- “A Living Sycamore”, 28 April 2009. Elenor Plak. (Published on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his artistic life)