Sevinç Tevs: The Pioneering Voice of Turkish Jazz Music
Born in the bustling city of Ankara, Turkey in 1927, Sevinç Tevs was no ordinary artist. Having started her musical journey alongside her sister Sevim under the name 'Sevim and Sevinç Sisters', she became a pivotal figure in the Turkish music scene. Being multilingual, she charmed the audience with her ability to sing in English, French, and Italian. Yet, her primary claim to fame lay in her pioneering role in introducing jazz music to Turkey.
The Inspiring Journey of Sevinç Tevs, Turkey's First Jazz Diva
The journey wasn't easy. She started her career by performing popular songs at Ankara Radio. Her fame soon spread to Istanbul, where she performed concerts at the Saray Cinema and the Taksim Municipality Casino in 1945. Sevinç continued her musical journey even after her sister quit, and she worked alongside renowned musicians such as İsmet Sıral, Zekai Apaydın, Müfit Kiper, Nejat Cendel, Hrant Lüsigyan, Selçuk Sun, and Muvaffak Falay in Istanbul.
Ascending the Global Stage: Sevinç Tevs' Triumph at the New York Jazz Festival
After graduating from the Ankara State Conservatory, Sevinç joined the Ibrahim Özgür Orchestra. Her first international concert was in Greece, but the highlight of her career came when she won the New York Jazz Festival in 1948 with the composition 'Longing For You' by her family friend, Arif Mardin, who himself has won twelve Grammy awards. The runner-up was none other than the world-renowned jazz artist, Sarah Vaughan.
Sevinç Tevs: Breaking Barriers and Garnering Global Acclaim in Jazz
Sevinç Tevs broke many barriers throughout her career. She was the first Turkish singer to appear on the British media giant BBC and German-Berlin Television. Her performances were so captivating that even Edith Piaf, the iconic French singer, praised her talent during a chance meeting in a nightclub in Egypt. She said, 'So, you are the famous artist spoken of with such enthusiasm; I congratulate you, you sing beautifully'.
Sevinç Tevs: A Powerhouse of Jazz with a Deep-rooted Knowledge of Turkish Art Music
In 1968, she participated in the Apollonia Song Contest with the work 'Ve Ben Yalnız' by composer Selmi Andak. A direct descendant of Hammâmîzâde İsmâil Dede Efendi, she had an extensive knowledge of Turkish Art Music. Her contralto voice was often referred to by music critics as 'ideal for Jazz' and 'one of the most powerful voices of the 20th century'.
Legacy of a Legend: Remembering Sevinç Tevs, The Maverick of Turkish Jazz
Sadly, Sevinç Tevs' life was cut short by cancer in 1976. Even though she died at the tender age of 46, her legacy lives on. Her contribution to music has been collected in records and CDs. The Turkish Heart Foundation released a special edition record after her death, with two songs that were recorded during her lifetime. In 2009, the IKSV Jazz Festival posthumously awarded her and her sister Sevim the 'Lifetime Achievement/Honor Award'. Sevinç Tevs was more than just a singer; she was a pioneer, a maverick, and above all, an inspiration. Her belief that Jazz was an art form for all, not just Americans, paved the way for many more jazz artists in Turkey.
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