Saban Bajramovic
| 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".
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).
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.
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.
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