WOMAD

Aynur

From Turkey

Aynur - (Turkey) Long Bio

"Aynur's extraordinary voice, carrying in it the smoky mountains, the gushing rivers, and the heavenly scent of the earth, is as moving as nature itself."

Aynur was born in 1975 in Çemisgezek, in the province of Tunceli. She attended at ASM Music School in Istanbul, where she studied singing with Begüm Erdem and A?k?n Metiner. In 2002, her first album, "Seyir" was released. Besides taking part in concerts and albums of other artists and groups such as Metin-Kemal Kahraman, Grup Yorum, Lütfü Gültekin, Anjelika Akbar and Orient Expressions, she has also performed the vocals for television and film musics. Her album "Keçe Kurdan" (Kurdish Girl) was released by Kalan Music in 2004.

The product of nearly a year's effort, with arrangements by such master musicians as Aykut Gürel, Serdar Ataþer, Kemal Sahir Gürel and Burhan Bayar, Aynur's "Keçe Kurdan" album presented a combination of Turkish and Kurdish folk songs, as well as new compositions. Accompanied by a host of fine musicians, the album was notable for its original arrangements. With her broad vocal range, Aynur performs both folk songs and improvisations, and her album has proved capable of deeply moving audiences.

Rising quickly to the top of Folk music albums, "Keçe Kurdan" has received a significant amount of attention, both in the Turkish and world press. The English magazine Folk Roots (fRoots) featured the album on the cover of their November 2004 issue. The article, titled "A Kurd on the Way," gave an account of Aynur's success and information on her past. Comparing her to Turkey's Sezen Aksu and Greece's Eleftheria Arvanitaki, it declared Aynur a major star for all folk music lovers. Aynur's photo was also on the cover of a supplement to the London Times Marcy 21, 2005 issue, titled "The Cultural Wealth of Turkey."

She attained great success through the song she sang in Kurdish in Yavuz Turgul's film "Gönül Yaras?".She was also featured in Fatih Ak?n's documentary film "?stanbul Hat?ras? / Crossing the Bridge."

In May 2005, Aynur received great interest when she performed in various cities of Holland with the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble, considered the finest wind ensemble in the country. Later she gave concerts in La Mar de Musicas 'Turkey Special' held in Spain in July 2005, alongside such artists as Sezen Aksu, Erkan O?ur, Karde? Türküler, Mercan Dede and Burhan Öçal.

Aynur also performed one song in Karde? Türküler's last album "Bahar" (Kalan Muzik, 2005), and two songs in Mikail Aslan's latest album, "Miraz" (Kalan Muzik, 2005.)

Her last album "Nûpel" released by Kalan Music in 2005. Besides her own group, she toured Europe with Mikail Aslan Ensemble in 2005 - 2006 and performed in many festivals throughout Europe and North America.

(Biography supplied by artist)