Who was İlham Gencer? One of Turkey’s First Pianist Singers Dead at 101

İlham Gencer was one of Turkiye’s first pianist singers who played a significant role in Turkish jazz music. He celebrated his 100th birthday with a special event in Bodrum in 2022.

He started his career at the young age of 5, with lessons from his mother and playing the console piano at their home. He continued his career to the very last end of his life.

Gencer was known for several songs including Kiss of Fire, Japanese Rhumba, Besame Mucho, Kiss, La Vie En Rose, I Had To Be You, There Goes My Heart, Blue Moon, When I Fall In Love, Come Prima, and more.

He was reported dead by his son Bora who shared that he died at the hospital after a short illness. He was 101 years old.

“My father is the father of Turkiye, my dear, the reason for my existence. We lost Bozkurt İlham Gencer, the world’s best human being. We are in great sadness, we have worked very hard. I wish we had more to do. “He was a healthy person. We weren’t expecting it, unfortunately, it happened suddenly. He felt ill at home and was taken to the hospital. They struggled there, but unfortunately, we lost my father,” Bora wrote.