Banu Kırbağ

Banu Kırbağ (2 March 1951 – 18 August 2025) was a Turkish pop singer, composer, and arranger. Active from the 1970s, she was a pioneering female figure in Turkish pop music and is recognized as the country's first female music arranger.

Life and career Banu Kırbağ was born in Istanbul in 1951. She began her musical path in 1969 as an amateur vocalist in her high school orchestra. She later studied singing and solfeggio at the Istanbul University State Conservatory before embarking on a professional stage career.

In 1972, she joined her sister Hülya Kırbağ and musician Zafer Dilek to form the trio Zafer-Banu-Hülya. The group released four 45 rpm singles and one studio album before disbanding in 1976, after which Kırbağ launched her solo career.

Solo career On 5 March 1977, she briefly adopted the stage name Banu Arman before reverting to performing simply as Banu. In 1991, her composition Bırak Ellerimi, performed by Zerrin Özer, won first place from the TRT for best composition of the year.

Death Kırbağ died from cancer on 18 August 2025 at the age of 74. Her funeral was held the following day, and she was buried at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery in Istanbul.

Discography 45s

Zafer Banu Hülya Source: Şimdi Yalnızım (Banu Solo) / Seni Öyle Seviyorum Ki (Yonca-1974) Çukulata Sevgilim / Kara Kara Badem Gözler (Yonca-1974) Ağlama Gönlüm Ağlama / Seni Gidi Çapkın (Yonca-1975) Kalbim İstanbul'da / Kaleden Top Atarlar (Yonca-1976)

Solo Vefasız / Eski Bir Mektup (Disko-1970) Sormadan Gir / Zalim (Polydor-1974) Nasıl Mutlu Olurum Sensiz / Öyle Bir Dünyada Yaşıyorum Ki (Yonca-1976) Ölsem De Bir Kalsam Da Bir / Buna Sevmek Denirse (Hop-1979) Eski Sevgili / Yok Ki (Hop-1980) Bir Ömür Geçti (2k23-2024)

Albums Zafer, Banu ve Hülya (Yonca-1976) Bir Demet Müzik (Balet-1981) Anlatamıyorum (Balet-1984) Canım Can Çekişmede (Bayar-1986) Gün Kavuşurken (Fono-1988) Kırık Hava (Bayar-1990) Gider Olduk (Sarp-1992) Sevdalardayım (Göksoy/Ada-1994) Türküler Yolladım Sana (Major-1998) En İyileriyle Banu (2 CD, Ossi-5 February 2009)