Johnny Raducanu

Born in Romania the 1st of December 1931 in Braila - d September 19, 2011. Johnny Raducanu was descended from a long line of Gypsy musicians.During his young years, he discovers on his older brothers’ gramophone « Caravan » and « Prelude to a kiss » by Duke Ellington. Jazz is a revelation, even if at that time Johnny believes that « Jazz » is the name of an artist, and not that of a musical trend. A premonition perhaps, given that 20 years later, the so-called Duke Ellington nicknamed him “Mister Jazz of Romania”, during a performance in Bucharest.At 19, in 1950, he joins the music academy of Bucharest, where he piles up subjects: chamber music, harmony and above all bass, the instrument of a long family tradition. In 1957 he plays in Moscow with I. Körössy at the piano and P. Osadici at the battery. The trio is noticed by the accordionist Marcel Azola (Michel Legrand’s father), chairman of the panel of judges, who awards them the gold medal. He asks Johnny where in the States he learned Jazz, Johnny answers: « I have never been there».From the 50’s, Johnny will keep a total devoutness for his art,he plays with passion in the different jazz bands and clubs before their closure by the communist power. The government imposes his censorship and exclude words music: a godsend for our musician, who can introduce without barriers instrumental jazz in the intellectual groups of the country. Thanks to this, he records in 1966 one of the first Romanian jazz discs: “Jazz in Trio”.At the end of the 60’s, sunnier climes give him the opportunity to meet his idols: Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, during a tour in Eastern Europe organised by the US State Department. After playing bass standards for years, he introduces this instrument as solo in Romanian jazz. He then turns towards composition and naturally comes back to piano. He gives his last bass concert in 1977and sells his instrument to buy a ticket to Paris.Johnny comes back in his country and develops his art, by creating his own style. A peculiarity described by his contemporary: « His pieces are varied, ballad like, sometimes dramatic, nostalgic or intensely suggestive… » - Edgar Elian (composer).Unquestionably opposed to the communist power, Johnny Raducanu defends, in 1984, the Romanian intellectuals put under house arrest in the city of Tescani. Enlightened by the turmoil of the place and inspired by the city of the composer Enesco, he composes one of his most famous pieces « Tescani ‘84 », a tribute to the rebels.The talent of Johnny Raducanu spreads abroad. The pianist takes part in numerous festivals, concerts and tours in Europe and in the United States. His fame build in the Jazz world, the American Library of Bucharest finds in him a wonderful cultural ambassador, and takes him under his wing. It finances his trips to the US in the 80’s. These trips allow him to play in mythical Jazz locations such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York or New Orleans, where he is awarded in 1987 an honorary membership of the Louis Armstrong Academy.His collaborations in the world of Jazz (he recorded with Art Farmer, Frederich Gulda, Slide Hampton or Barney Kessel) and his unquestionable talent makes him the musical reference of Romania.The 1st of April 2005 he receives the « Prize of Excellence », one of the most famous awards given by the Union of Romanian Composers.During his musical career, Johnny Raducanu not only tried to promote his art, but also passed on his passion for music to the young generation. He creates the Romanian Jazz school by training a great part of his elite.: Ion Baciu Jr, Ionut Dorobantu or Theodora Enache. He chairs the Romanian Jazz Federation.In the year 2002 Johnny Raducanu celebrated his 70th birthday, and published his memoirs: « Loneliness…my job». Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.