Artist Profiles: Aynur

Aynur Doğan, better known as Aynur, was born in 1975 in Çemisgezek, in the province of Tunceli. She attended ASM Music School in Istanbul, where she studied singing with Begüm Erdem and Askin Metiner. In 2002, her first album, Seyir was released.

Besides taking part in concerts and albums of artists and groups such as Metin-Kemal Kahraman, Grup Yorum, Anjelika Akbar and Orient Expressions, she also performed vocals for television and cinema.

She performed at home and abroad in both Kurdish and Turkish. 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 Gurel, Serdar Ataser, Kemal Sahir Gurel and Burhan Bayar, Aynur’s Keça Kurdan 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 Kurdish music albums, Keça Kurdan received a significant amount of attention, both in the Turkish and world press.

Attaining great success through the song she sang in Kurdish in Yavuz Turgul’s film Gönül Yarasi, Aynur became the first to sing a Kurdish song live in a film shot in Turkey. She was also featured in Fatih Akin’s 2005 documentary film Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul.

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 three concerts in the Festival of Turkey held in Spain in July 2005, alongside such artists as Aksu, Erkan Ogur, Kardeş Türküler, Mercan Dede and Burhan Ocal.

Aynur also performed one song in Kardeş Türküler’s album Bahar (Kalan Muzik, 2005), and two songs in Mikail Aslan’s album, Miraz (Kalan Muzik, 2005). Her album Nûpel was released from Kalan Music at the end of 2005.

Aynur appeared in the 2015 documentary film “The Music of Strangers” about Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble.

On March 16, 2017, Berklee College of Music’s Berklee Mediterranean Music Institute awarded Aynur with the Master of Mediterranean Music 2017 in recognition of her contribution to the preservation of Kurdish folk oral traditions, performing the traditional repertoire and combining it with other modern western styles, opening a new path to this Mediterranean style. Aynur’s faithfulness to traditional Kurdish music, and her perseverance in overcoming big challenges to follow her artistic path, make her an important example for other female artists seeking a creative voice in the Mediterranean music scene.

“To hear Aynur’s voice is to hear the transformation of all the layers of human joy and suffering into one sound. It reaches so deep into our soul, tears into our hearts, and then we are for one moment, joined as one. It is unforgettable!” — Yo-Yo Ma

Aynur’s album Hedûr – Solace of Time reached the number one position at the Transglobal World Music Chart in March 2020.

On the 30th of October in 2021, Aynur Doğan, was bestowed with the coveted ‘WOMEX 2021 Artist Award’ during the award ceremony held in Porto. This prestigious recognition was granted to her by WOMEX for her extensive and unwavering commitment towards preserving and revolutionizing Kurdish and Alevi culture, as well as for maintaining an unwavering level of artistic integrity in the face of political pressures. Furthermore, the committee praised her for becoming an exemplar for all who raise their voices against the censors.

As only truly exceptional artists can, Aynur Doğan has managed to reach listeners from all generations, bridging the gap between the younger and older generations and combining the musical treasures of the past with the contemporary musical language of the present.

Additionally, Aynur Doğan has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including the Silk Road Ensemble, led by Yo-Yo Ma, as a special guest at the Toronto Film Festival in 2015. She has also collaborated with the NDR Bigband in both 2014 and 2022, as well as with the Netherlands Blazers Ensemble in 2004, 2014, and 2023. Furthermore, she collaborated with Kayhan Kalhor from 2015 to 2018.

In 2024, Aynur released Rabe, recorded with the participation of nearly 20 musicians in Germany and Spain. Significant guest appearances include Michael League of Snarky Puppy on electric guitar and Wu Man, a celebrated Chinese pipa master.

Rabe topped one of the leading world music charts: Aynur Secures Number One Position on Transglobal World Music Chart for May 2024.

Discography:

Seyir (Türküola Müzik, 2001)
Keçe Kurdan – Kurdish Girl (Kalan Music, 2004)
Nûpel (Kalan Music, 2005)
Rewend (Sony Music, 2010)
Hevra – Together (Sony Music Classical, 2013)
Hawniyaz (Harmonia Mundi Latitudes, 2016)
Hedûr – Solace of Time (The Orchard / Dreyer & Gaido, 2020)
Rabe (Dreyer- Gaido, 2024)

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.