Ali Ekber Çiçek

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Ali Ekber Çiçek was born 1935 in Erzincan, Turkey. His father was killed in a major earthquake and his mother couldn't afford to support his education after elementary school due to financial problems. But he attended Alevi gatherings called Cems, where he not only became familiar with playing the baglama but also with the philosophy of the Alevi sufis.

He moved to İstanbul and made acquaintance with popular folk musicians. After completing mandatory military service he was given the opportunity by Muzaffer Sarısözen to perform his skills on state-operated TRT radio broadcast services in Ankara where he remained until retirement.

TRT produced a documentary in 2003 about his life and his music, which represents the Anatolian folk tradition and is intended to make his influence wider known. He died in April 2006.

One of his most famous songs is Haydar Haydar. It is stated that Ali Ekber asked himself "What did I do!" This song is a pioneer in Symphonic Turkish Folk Music.