Benyamin Sönmez

Benyamin Sönmez (January 16, 1983 – November 30, 2011) was a Turkish classical cellist.

Early years and family Benyamin was born to Turkish parents in Bremen, Germany. His father went to Germany in the 1970s as a tourist taking his musical instrument saz with him. He stayed there, formed a musical group and earned his living playing music at weddings. Later, his mother followed his father to Germany. As Benyamin was three years old, the family with two boys returned home.

Benyamin spent his childhood in Akşehir, a town in Konya Province, where the alleged tomb of Nasreddin Hoca is located. During his primary school years, he contributed to family's budget by selling food and drinks at street.