Who is Ali Şenozan?
Ali Şenozan was born on June 7, 1939, in Adana, Turkey. He completed his primary education at İnkılâp Primary School and continued his studies at Tepebağ Secondary School and Adana Boys' High School. His musical journey began during his secondary school years, when he studied music theory, rhythm, and makam (modal system in Turkish classical music) under Arif Nihat Aka. He later became his assistant and founded the Adana Boys’ High School Choir, which he also directed.
In 1958, he participated in the vocal and performance style exam held by the Istanbul Municipal Conservatory, where he ranked first among 148 applicants. The jury included prominent figures such as Duri Turan, Münir Nurettin Selçuk, Refik Fersan, Faire Fersan, and Kemal Gürses. During the interview, a humorous moment involving his original surname led him to consider a change. Later, upon a friend's suggestion, he adopted the surname "Şenozan," which he found more fitting and musical.
During his conservatory years, Şenozan studied under the guidance of Münir Nurettin Selçuk and worked closely with esteemed musicians at the Turkish Music Association, including Çinuçen Tanrıkorur, Erdoğan Köroğlu, Teoman Apay, Şekip Ayhan Özışık, and Tülin Yakarçelik. He also developed strong friendships with legendary figures such as Emin Ongan, Cevdet Çağla, and Dr. Alaattin Yavaşça.
In 1959, he returned to Adana and began working at the Paksoy Factory. After completing his military service at the Artillery School in Polatlı in 1960, he was stationed at the 301st Artillery Regiment in Çorlu, where he gave morale concerts for the troops. He later helped revive the Kırklareli Music Society alongside Pharmacist Tevfik Bey.
In 1966, Şenozan passed the artist audition for Ankara Radio and started his career as a vocal artist at TRT (Turkish Radio and Television Corporation). In 1979, he was promoted to ensemble conductor. Throughout his tenure, he served both as a conductor and vocal performer at Ankara Radio. He also held positions on the TRT Supervisory Board and the Repertoire Committee. He officially retired on June 7, 2004, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.
Ali Şenozan began composing music in 1956 and continues to do so. He is married, has two children, and is the proud grandfather of three. His love for his grandchildren is immortalized in the songs he composed for them: “Çağla Su” for Çağla, “Birden İçime Neşe Doldu” (Suddenly Joy Filled My Heart) for Buğra, and “Bebeğim Güzel Nehir’im” (My Beautiful Baby Nehir) for Nehir.
In 1991, his composition “Hasreti Yıllara Sor” in the Muhayyerkürdi makam won an award in a song contest held by Milliyet newspaper. He also received honors in previous years: in 1982 with “Aşk Oduna Yandı” (Rast), in 1984 with “Gitme Güzeller Güzeli” (Hüzzam), and in 1993 with “Gittiğin Yolları Yakın Sanarak” (Rast), all selected among the “Top Ten Songs of the Year” by Milliyet.
Beyond his work with TRT, Şenozan contributed significantly to many musical institutions as a choir conductor and music instructor. He worked with choirs at Hacettepe University, Middle East Technical University, Ankara Teachers’ College, Melodiler Music Association, the TRT Staff Choir, Yüksek İhtisas Hospital Music Ensemble, and also served as a lecturer at Kayseri Melikgazi Municipality Conservatory and Konya University.
