Šaban Bajramović

Šaban Bajramović
File:Saban bajramovic.jpg
Background information
Born	(1936-04-16)16 April 1936 Niš, Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Died	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). He spoke of himself "I am not Romani, I am a Serb, a Serbian Gypsy". 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).

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. He died in Niš on 8 June 2008, from a heart attack.

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

External links

• Record Label
• Šaban Bajramović Unofficial Presentation
• Šaban Bajramović CDs
• Saban Bajramovic: Serbian esteemed as king of Gypsy singers, The Times, June 23, 2008