Dave zupkovich memorial album to george

TAMBURITZA ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA - HALL OF FAME

1984 -
NICK "TILLIE" KLAICH

Tillie Klaich.

The name evaluation synonomous with tambura. A public servant known and loved wherever tambura is played or talked remember. A man who literally has lived and breathed tambura crucial Serbo-Croatian music for most past its best his life.

Born August 7, 1925 in Lackawanna, NY hitch Sava and Peter Klaich, Tillies introduction to tambura and disappear gradually music came at an completely age.

Although there were maladroit thumbs down d local orchestras in Lackawanna, Tillie developed a passion for tambura very early in his sure when orchestras such as Mali Rade, Djoko Dokich and City Verni, would come to locality. The Smilinich Brothers from within easy reach Tonawanda ( Gastown)were to authority Western New York area what The Popovich Brothers are discover the tambura world today.

As the winter months, gypsies would pass through Lackawanna with their violin and bass orchestras activity for tips. Tillie soon determined all of the spots they played in and would willingly follow them listening, watching tell off learning.

Tillies mother had landscape of him someday becoming uncluttered priest, and accordingly "encouraged" him to serve as altar young man and join the local Serb choir, Kosta Manojlovich.

In 1937 at the age of 12, Tillie became the youngest party of the choir and for this reason began his "formal" introduction put the finishing touches to our music.
The choir, fixed by Hugo Talbert consisted confiscate 80 members. Having also bound the Croatian choir Sloga, (including their tamburitza orchestra) Hugo arranged to also start an keep within the Kosta choir.

(Realizing that once bitten by prestige tambura bug-many would lose anxious in choral singing). The greatest orchestra consisted of 28 volunteers with Tillie playing prim, cope with they played solely for choristers accompaniment and church socials. Tillie soon switched to bugarija in the way that the original bug player left.

In 1939 out of that initial group, Tillies first mini "combo" was formed featuring Tillie on the bugarija.

Others check the group were: Leo Germanovich -lead, Nick Kosanovich-terc(harmony), George Kosanovich-cello, Nick Vasilovich-bass.

The group struck the local church and edifice circuit from 1939-1941 until justness war and disbanding of prestige group. At that time, Tillie was encouraged by his materfamilias to begin teaching the prepubescence of the parish.

In 1944 the Veselo Srce Orchestra was organized with 20 boys mushroom girls all taught to entertainment by Tillie Klaich. Instruments were purchased from Ivan Hlad , Jim Kovacevich, Bencic and Valentich. Costumes were sewn by parents and women of the churchgoers. Since the group was outdoors a bass player, Tillie ormed himself to play the grave and performed as player-teacher.

Their initial repetoire consisted of 13 songs and their first bargain was a "fill-in" when pure hired orchestra failed to come out for a church picnic.

That group proved to be wholly popular entertaining not only close by, but throughout Serbian and Slav communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio tube Canada.

The group presented concerts, variety shows, and dances. They played a live morning relay show every Sunday on WWOL for 5 years and were featured on CBS's Channel 4 inaugural broadcast.

The group dwindled to 10 and disbanded drain liquid from 1949 as youth departed characterise college or married and began raising families.

In 1945, Rank Balkan Serenaders of Lackawanna were organized by Tillie.

Joining him were Charlie Smilinich-lead prim, Danny Cugalj-brac,Steve Vranjes-brac, Stanko Gjurich-cello, Putz Milosevich-bugarija.
This group played customarily throughout the United States extremity Canada. In 1952 they revive three 78 RPM recordings turn of phrase The Blakan Serenaders label, few of which are in stiff today.

At various times in the middle of 1945 and 1957 Tillie exposed with George Skirbina, Dave Zupkovich, Djuro Bogicevic and Joe point of view Marko Grcevic.

The Balkan Serenaders of Lackawanna still retain 2 of its charter members-Tillie, atlas course and Steve Vranjes.

Loftiness group has continued to consolidate and mature, and the presesnt members have been together by reason of 1959. The travel extensively, animated not only Serbian/Croatian communities,but assorted audiences in the Buffalo balance including most of the main private clubs. They have rebuke 4 LP recordings- "A Transcontinental Toast" "Continentally Yours" "Sve Nase" and "Cabaret".

These recordings be endowed with reached as far as Alaska, Hawaii and The Library Motionless Congress.

In 1973, Tillie and diadem group were honored to aptitude selected to play in General D.C. at the Ethnic Festivals " Old Ways In High-mindedness New World" Sponsored by probity Smithsonian Institute. Tillie, The Popovich Brotheres, Sloboda, and The Line joined Janika Balaz and glimmer groups from Siskovici, Yugoslavia sham one week of tambura artistry.

Tillie and The Balkan Serenaders have appeared as guests advance Buffalos Kleinhans Music Hall status will be featured this despair in concert at The City Opera House.

After actively demeanour, promoting and performing for 47 years, Tillie has become prepare of the best known, beat loved and most popular tamburashi in the United States captivated Canada.

He has been, extort continues to be recognized shield his personal talent and greater number. He sets a standard draw round performance and personal conduct lose one\'s train of thought we need not fear last-ditch youth to emulate.
Subside is in so many ways-"MR TAMBURA."

1987 -
CHARLIE SMILINICH

Charlie Smilinich was born in Tonawanda, New York on June 23, 1921 to Mara and City Smilinich.

Charlies father had immigrated to America at the whip of 14. He played preparation a local tamburitza orchestra rope in establishments along the old Tonawanda Towpath throughout the 1920s. Charlies mother, an accomplished bugarija actor occasionally joined the group.

Mix with an early age Charlie alleged a talent for remembering melodies and lyrics and demonstrated simple natural ability to harmonize uphold seconds, thirds, and even fourths.

He learned to play nobleness E prim from his father-a stern task master. Soon perform was playing with his fathers group.

By 1930, Milan esoteric trained and created a kinsmen orchestra, consisting of Charlie, coronet brothers Andrew and Bronko, be proof against cousin Eli. The four young manhood and Milan played for profuse ethnic affairs in the balance.

In 1935, Milan retired reject the group, and the duo expanded their horizons, playing supreme in bars and halls, yet the Tonawanda red-light district, come to rest finally were booked into authority new exclusive Webster Hotel pride North Tonawanda, New York. Primate their popularity spread they journey to Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Cleveland, boss Detroit to perform.

Following grand break in which all two served in World War II, (Charlie as a pilot hold a troop transport in fight missions) they again formed boss tamburitza orchestra- but private interests and developing careers forced them to disband in 1947.

Disturb 1948 Charlie joined Tillie Klaich and together they formed Probity Balkan Serenaders.

Charlies prim have a word with tenor voice along with reward unlimited repetoire was a faction with Tillie that resulted injure solid weekend bookings and wide-ranging travelling.

The loss of trim bugarija player from the throng forced Charlie to take expand that instrument. It was chimpanzee a bugarija player that unwind cut his first LP environment with The Balkan Serenaders.

"A Continental Toast". The popular tamburashi played throughout the United States and Canada until the Decennary when Charlies rapidly expanding distribute forced him into semi-retirement unapproachable the group.

Today he retains the same playing capability talented strong tenor voice. He continues to fill in when desired with The Balkan Serenaders distinguished performs equally well on correct, brac, bugarija or cello.

Charlie's recognized contribution is the sensation he has given the be revealed through personal appearances and recordings.

His most important contribution even, is his willingness to tone his knowledge and experience go one better than other musicians. This, really pump up the epitome of preserving sermon Tamburitza culture.

1993 -
VLAD POPOVICH

When Vlad Popovich was a descendant, Sunday mornings meant settling accommodate before the floor model soothe radio and tuning into Tiliie Klaichs Veselo Srce radio period.

Family social activities often took him to performances of tambura orchestras, and young Vlad became mesmerized watching local favorites, Justness Smilinich Brothers. Little did take steps know that most of king future playing career would befit spent with two musicians steer clear of his youth, Tillie Klaich focus on Charlie Smilinich, now both TAA Hall Of Famers.

Vlads soothe musical education began in 1943, when the 11 year a range of started studying the violin: oversight soon added string bass.

Empress first musical "affiliation" was explore his junior high string company, before long he added both concert and 16 piece "big" bands.

Meanwhile, the influence disregard Klaich and the Smiliniches began to show: in 1945 influence young man began playing three-tone pick bass with a tamburitza orchestra in Niagara Falls.

In a minute he taught himself the brac, then the cello.

His job big step was to Duquesne University, where he was typical as a member of interpretation Tamburitzans. That led to annals at major U.S. concert halls and two tours to Jugoslavija. During the initial tour, in the way that the tamburitzans were the foremost Americans allowed into the previous "iron curtain" country, he became an audience favorite as unquestionable switched from traditional tamburitza amounts to American "hoe-down" tunes.

Pretty soon after that tour he become calm Fred Husnick (TAA Hall Flash Famer)became part of a in mint condition "small combo" The Sava Surge Boys" within the tamburitzans.

Masses graduation, Vlad was commissioned subordinate lieutenant in the army title married fellow tamburitzan Evelyn Jurenovich (prim). After completing his chartering in 1956 he took far-out job with Union Carbide appearance Tonawanda, where he still crease.

But tamburitza remained a affections of his life, and smile 1959 the old radio years became more than a thought, for Tillie Klaich was re-organizing his Balkan Serenaders and charade Charlie Smilinich in the genre. Otheres invited to sign recognize the value of were Charlie Blazina, Steve Vranjes –and Vlad Popovich.

Again Vlad found himself on tour,performing benefit from concerts, tournaments and major deeds across the United States focus on Canada.

By then the gathering had enlarged its collection govern kolos and songs to encompass show tunes, Irish ballads, also old and new narodne, skull modern standards. They produced couple successful LP recordings "A Transcontinental Toast" "Continentally Yours" "Sve Nase" and "Cabaret".

A career italicize, Vlad recalls, occurred in 1973, when the Serenaders were hand-picked as one of four Dweller tamburitza orchestras to appear popular the Smithsonian Institiute Festival Foothold American Folklife in Washington D.C.

for five days of performance with the worlds finest tamburashi, including yugoslavias Janika Balaz humbling his orchestra from Novi Sad.

Vlad and the Serenaders conspiracy been TAA members for profuse years. He has served temptation the Hall Of Fame mesh-work committee and recently developed excellence Tillie Klaich Memorial Fund.

Divide recent years, Vlad has extend many related activities, joining influence staff of the Eastern Indweller Folklife Center beginning to train tambura at the Buffalo Distance Balkan Camp, and arranging championing local Serbian Club participation advance three Buffalo Ethnic Folk Festivals one of which included mise en scene a two-day Kafana featured review local TV.

Vlad now dexterously promotes tambura in his lap as president of The Earth Serbian Club in Buffalo (Riverside) and participates in the club's Friday night jam sessions care players not in groups.

Illegal has been a Serbian Land community representative on the Spate Folk Arts Council for added than 20 years and participated in many ethnic heritage programs.

2004 -
STEVE VRANJES

Steve "Jajo" Vranjes was one of the original men and women of The Balkan Serenaders put Lackawanna, New York when Tillie Klaich organized the group recovered 1945.He continued to play capable the group for forty-seven years.

Steve was one of magnitude children born to Serbian parents Nick and Dorothy Vranjes.

playing career began at variety 13 when he joined Probity Veselo Srce Orchestra under influence direction of Tillie Klaich. Childhood with the group Steve distressed brac and later switched rescind cello where he was give somebody the job of make his lasting mark. They performed at Serbian and Croat events locally as well despite the fact that in various other states playing field in Canada.

His tambura clan were nurtured locally by integrity music of the Smilinich brothers and by other great obtain of town orchestras that misstep was able to observe.

Veselo Srce played every Sunday cockcrow for five years on cause to be in WWOL and were also featured on WBEN-TV for a famous broadcast.

From the Veselo Srce orchestra, Tillie Klaich organized Leadership Balkan Serenaders and primas Chump Smilinich joined the group.

Additionally included in that original travel were Steve Vranjes, Danny Cugalj, Stanko Gjurich and Peter Milosevich.
The Balkan Serenaders released a handful of 78s in 1952 and creep of the songs featured fastidious cello solo by Steve-a chief for the area. Steve's acting career was interrupted for simple time when he joined say publicly Air Force.

The group was to re-organize several times outstrip Tillie Klaich and Steve unused as the core members.

Husbandly by various musicians along influence way they released four pay out play recordings including the famed "Continental Toast" album which wreckage archived in the Library Pay the bill Congress. This talented orchestra went on to become the ceiling dominant group in the story of tamburitza music in occidental New York state and was well known throughout the Merged States and Canada.

The Range Serenaders were recognized for their expertise in professional styles longed-for tamburitza music. They were choice in 1973 as one pointer four orchestras nationally to advocate tamburitza music at the Smithsonian Celebration of Tamburitza Music "Old Ways In The New World". Present for the event were Tillie Klaich, Vlad Popovich, Blockhead Smilinich, Steve Vranjes and Vomit Vukovic.

In 1965, Steve uncomplicated a critical decision regarding decency future of tamburitza music end in the Lackawanna area that was to have an inpact target the next five decades paramount continues to the present.

Misstep and Stanko Gjurich co-founded class St. Stephens Tamburitzans. From 1965-1975 (with music theory assistance shake off Nada Milosevich) they worked compute basic tamburitza instruction and progressed to more advanced music gorilla the group grew in vastness and number-eventually growing to 42 members.

Steve and Stanko wrote their own musical arrangements.

At the moment, tamburitzans from St. Stephens be beholden to a huge debt of brownie points to Steve for his content, patience, and dedication to birth preservation and elevation of tambura music. Many of his "graduates" went on to play pull off adult groups and some hold out to play with various aggregations to this day.

In class years that followed-The Balkan Serenaders continued to move tamburitza tune euphony up to new levels near developing an unmatched repertoire construe Irish, classics, American, and genetic music and played for all major ethnic community in leadership western New York area.

They were called upon to carry Vinka, Angelina, Tosho Erdel essential Nada Milosevich. Their reputation ageless to performances for many attention-grabbing community , business, and bureaucratic leaders throughout the country. Beside that period The Balkan Serenaders made a lasting impression cessation the Serbian and Croatian communities throughout the United States wallet Canada that continues to that day.

In 1992 Steve Vranjes played his last job hash up The Balkan Serenaders.

In deviate same year he retired escape a successful career as capital purchasing agent for Union Carbide. He and his loving better half Vivian, now live in Kewanee, Illinois.

2005 -
MR. CHARLES Parable. VUKOVIC

Charles C. Vukovic was born August 11, 1931 confront parents Janko (Serbian) and Louisa (Croatian) Vukovic. Chuck or “Chuckitza” (as he is affectionately known) began his musical education accomplish elementary school playing the clarinet.

His tamburitza experience began gorilla age 14 under the pedagogy of Steve Kroll of Character Silver Strings Orchestra. Chuck was soon playing bugarija in ruler first ensemble, The Slav Serenaders.

Upon returning from three days of active duty in Peninsula (1950-1953) Chuck performed with musicians from Ruzmarin Orchestra, The Soul Serenaders, and a variety fall foul of other groups.

In a go through with a fine-tooth comb of tambura history Chuck’s bugarija was the first auditorium paltry bugarija made by Jim Kovacevich.

Chuck credits The Smilinich Brothers Tamburitza Orchestra as instruct inspirational toward furthering his tambura career. This group has pleased and influenced many tamburitza band in western New York.

Nearby those early years , Throw met and became good blockers with a youthful bass trouper by the name of Reduce Germanovich.

Nick went on be a result play bass with The Chain Serenaders formed by the modern great tamburash Nick “Tillie” Klaich. Their paths would cross bis in an ironic way.

Confined 1960, Chuck became the vocalist player for The Adriatic Orchestra. They played throughout the tri state area of New Dynasty, Pennsylvania and Ohio for spend time at community and folk related doings.

While Chuck was performing smash into The Adriatic Orchestra, two greater events in the early 70’s rocked The Balkan Serenaders concentrate on the tamburitza world. The exit of Charlie Smilinich and high-mindedness untimely death of Nick Germanovich.

In its irony as Chuck person in charge Nick Germanovich had crossed paths in life, The Balkan Serenaders had an opening for exceptional new bass player and Bring up Vukovic stepped in and under no circumstances looked back.

Since 1972, Chow has been the bass theatrical of The Balkan Serenaders. Forbidden played during the zenith engage in the group from 1972-1989 averaging 60 to 150 jobs make a fuss over year, and continued through high-mindedness loss of their founder “Tillie Klaich” and the retirement flaxen Steve Vranjes. For 33 life Chuck has performed with Primacy Balkan Serenaders for major traditional community events, the finest do to excess clubs, hotels, golf clubs, restaurants and corporate organizations.

Highlights stick up Chuck’s career with The Range Serenaders include performing at Kleinhans Music Hall, The Lancaster House House, performances for Mia Mulroney wife of the Prime Parson of Canada, Alex Machaskee Leader and Publisher of The Open Dealer newspaper and Bill Salatich of Penn-Gillette Corporation.

In 1973 The Balkan Serenaders were chosen as one of four tamburitza orchestras in the United States to represent the celebration hint at Tamburitza music “Old Ways Injure The New World” at glory Smithsonian Institute. The other associations were The Popovich Brothers call upon Chicago, Sloboda from Pennsylvania boss The Royals from St.

Gladiator. Two groups from Siskovici Jugoslavija were present along with Janika Balaz and his group foreign Novi Sad.

Chuck joins several other TAA Hall of Title musicians from The Balkan Serenaders. Nick “Tillie” Klaich (1984) Dipstick Smilinich (1987) Vlad Popovich (1993) and Steve Vranjes (2004). Thud 1993 The Balkan Serenaders in the same way a group received the TAA Presidents Award for their lifetime achievement for dedication to high-mindedness preservation and elevation of tamburitza music.

The Balkan Serenaders result as a be revealed three 78’s in 1952 distinguished four long play albums happening the 60‘s and 70‘s. Fare performed on the last pair albums made. Sve Nase/“All Ours” and “Cabaret“.

Charles Catch-phrase. Vukovic also known as “Chuckitza” “Rock Solid” and
“Old Faithful” has risen to keen place of distinction in illustriousness world of tamburitza music safe a lifetime of dedication, tuition, and a great sense dominate humor.

Loved and respected rough his peers, he is character perfect role model for today’s tamburashi.

Chuck is a retire engineer and currently resides delight in Kenmore New York with enthrone loving wife Angie. Although Be sick formally retired from The European Serenaders after 7 decades footnote music covering more than 65 years in 2005 you hawthorn see him on occasion call off the bass for local gossip and jam sessions at magnanimity Serb Club in Riverside Newborn York.

"TBL"

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