Husnu Senlendirici – Vancouver

Who is Hüsnü Şenlendirici?

Hüsnü Şenlendirici is a world-renowned Turkish clarinet virtuoso, composer, and bandleader. Hailing from a family with deep Romani musical roots, he is celebrated for his masterful technique, soulful improvisations, and his ability to fuse traditional Turkish and Romani music with jazz, funk, and other world genres.

Career and Musical Style

Breakthrough and Collaborations

Şenlendirici gained significant recognition in the late 1990s with his band Laço Tayfa, which blended traditional Turkish music with a high-energy funk and jazz sensibility. However, his international fame skyrocketed as a member of the supergroup Taksim Trio, alongside İsmail Tunçbilek (bağlama) and Aytaç Doğan (kanun). The trio is acclaimed for its incredible musicianship and telepathic improvisational chemistry.

Musical Style

His style is defined by his virtuosic command of the G clarinet. He effortlessly bridges the gap between the microtonal subtleties of Turkish classical and folk music and the improvisational freedom of jazz. His sound is both deeply traditional and strikingly modern, making him one of the most innovative and respected musicians of his generation.

Popular Works and Albums

Some of his most famous and influential works include:

• The album Bergama Gaydası with Laço Tayfa
• The albums Taksim Trio and Taksim Trio 2 with Taksim Trio
• His solo album Hüsn-ü Klarnet (The Beauty of the Clarinet)
• His famous interpretation of İstanbul İstanbul Olalı
• Collaborations with numerous Turkish and international artists