Šaban Bajramović
| Šaban Bajramović | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
16 April 1936 Niš, Kingdom of Yugoslavia |
| Died |
8 June 2008 (aged 72) Niš, Serbia |
| Genres | Serbian–Romani music, Jazz, Blues |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | vocals |
| Years active | 1964–2008 |
| Labels | RTV Ljubljana, Jugoton, PGP RTB, |
| Website | www.sabanbajramovic.com |
Šaban Bajramović (Serbian Cyrillic: Шабан Бајрамовић, Serbian pronunciation: [ʃǎban bajrǎːmɔʋitɕ], Romani: Shaban Bajramovičh; 16 April 1936 – 8 June 2008), nicknamed Šabi (Шаби), was a Serbian-Romani musician, known popularly as the "King of Romani music".
Biography
Origin and early life
Bajramović was born in Niš into a Romani family, in the Gypsy quarters (Ciganska mahala).[1] He spoke of himself "I am not Romani, I am a Serb, a Serbian Gypsy".[2] He attended primary school in Niš for only the first four years. On quitting school, he picked up his musical education on the street. He was nicknamed Šabi (Шаби).[3]
Imprisonment
At 19 years he ran away from the army, out of love. As a deserter, he was sentenced to three years prison on the island Goli otok. He spent his time as a good goalkeeper in the prison football team. Because of his nimbleness and speed, they called him "Black Panther". Soon he forced his way into the prison orchestra that played, among other things, jazz (mostly Louis Armstrong, Sinatra, and sometimes John Coltrane) with Spanish and Mexican pieces.
After Goli otok, his intensive music career began. He made his first record in 1964. He is believed to have composed 650 compositions.
Last years
In 2008, it was revealed that Bajramović was living impoverished in Niš with serious health complications and was no longer able to walk. The government of Serbia intervened to provide him with some funds, 10 000 euros.[4] He died in Niš on 8 June 2008, from a heart attack.[5]
He was married with Milica and had four children.
Quotes
| “ | Over the years, his music has been constantly stolen, copied, and imitated by both famous and unknown musicians. Promises and contracts have proven worthless. Actually, he's never been interested in protecting his work. Where others would have earned millions, he's lived as he's always lived: from day to day, making music, going wherever he wants, and not recognising any limits at all. | ” |
Dragi Šestić - Mostar Sevdah Reunion
| “ | Saban Bajramović is clearly a giant talent, comparable in his own way to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Mari Boine Persen, someone capable of bringing their music to life with such vivid spirituality that it vaults with ease over the most impenetrable cultural barriers. His voice combines the anguish of rai with the soulfulness of fado - a sort of Balkan gypsy jazz | ” |
Andy Gill - The Independent, UK, 15 February 2002
References
- ↑ http://doznajemo.com/2012/07/16/zaboravljeni-junaci-jednog-vremena-10-saban-bajramovic/
- ↑ Ђорђевић 2011, p. 121
"Какав Ром, ја сам Србин, српски Циганин"
- ↑ Ђорђевић 2011, p. 117
- ↑ Šaban Bajramović poor and seriously ill, Slobodna Dalmacija
- ↑ "Преминуо певач Шабан Бајрамовић (The singer Šaban Bajramović has died)". Радио-телевизиjа Воjводине (Radio-Television of Vojvodina). 8 June 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
Sources
- Драгољуб Б Ђорђевић (2011). Казуј крчмо Џеримо: периферијска кафана и около ње (in Serbian). Službeni Glasnik. pp. 117–121. ISBN 978-86-6055-010-3.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Šaban Bajramović. |
- Record Label
- Šaban Bajramović Unofficial Presentation
- Šaban Bajramović CDs
- Saban Bajramovic: Serbian esteemed as king of Gypsy singers, The Times, June 23, 2008