Zhusupbek Elebekov is an outstanding Kazakh singer who dedicated his life to the preservation and popularization of folk vocal art. His unique voice, deep interpretation and soulful performance made him a legend of Kazakh music.

Born in 1904  in the Karaganda region, he was surrounded by folk songs and traditions from childhood. Becoming a student of great masters, he absorbed the best examples of Kazakh vocal art. Elebekov’s repertoire included works of famous folk composers Segiz-sere, Birzhan-sala, Akhana-sere, Madi, Ibrai and others. Thanks to him, these songs took on a perfect form and were passed on to new generations.

Amre Kashaubaev, one of the first performers of Kazakh music on the world stage, said:

"I don’t know a modern singer who would perform folk works so magnificently  style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> like Zhusupbek!"

Since 1931, Elebekov began performing on the theater stage, and already in 1933 he became a soloist of the Kazakh Musical Theater (now the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after Abai). His soulful images in performances “Kyz-Zhibek”, “Aiman – Sholpan” and “Enlik-Kebek” entered the golden fund of Kazakh art.

In 1942, he received the title of People's Artist of the Kazakh SSR, and his services were recognized with the highest state awards, including the Order of Lenin and the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR.

Zhusupbek Elebekov was not only a performer, but also a teacher. In the 1967–1977 years, he taught folk vocals, raising a new generation of singers. Among his students  are such stars of the Kazakh scene as Kairat Baybosynov and Zhanibek Karmenov.

The memory of the great performer is alive. Since 1994, a competition in his name has been held in the Karaganda region, and in Almaty a circus college has been named after him, near which a monument was erected in 2011.

Zhusupbek Elebekov left a rich legacy, and his voice will forever remain part of the history of Kazakh art.