Career
Ali Efendi was born in Midilli (now Mytilene) in 1836. His education, both in Mytilene and, after 1854, in İstanbul, was religious. He was soon remarked thanks to the beauty of his voice and his virtuosity in playing the tanbur and, upon the sultan Abdülaziz"s personal instructions, was taken in employment in the palace, where he spent 23 years of his career.
He quit the palace in 1885 and started living in İzmir.
He died there in 1902 after having greatly contributed to the city"s musical scene. He is considered one of the most lyric composers in Turkish classical music