Goodbye but never adieu, Johnny Raducanu

(Photo source: Europa FM)Ohhhh such sad news. Johnny Raducanu, the Roumanian jazz musician, has died. Please see THIS VIDEO for a concert at the Art Jazz Club in Bucharest, 2008. He was 79 and passed away on Monday morning. Pianist, double-bassist and composer extraordinaire, Raducanu became one of the most representative of jazz figures in Roumania and the mentor of many young musicians.

“Johnny Raducanu has died. May he rest in peace. He enchanted his audiences at the National Theatre through his show ‘Dialogues and Jazz Fantasies,’ with his partner, Ion Caramitru" reads the National Theatre’s website. Mr Caramitru expressed his great sadness, adding that "Mr. Raducanu was beloved by Roumanians for his gentle wit, his irreverent comments about politics, and his humanity as much as his music."

Cretu Raducanu, known as "Mr Jazz of Roumania" and founder of the Romanian Jazz School, was born to and grew up in a Rroma family in Braila with musical tradition spanning over 300 years. He studied first in Iasi and Cluj before attending the Ciprian Porumbescu Conservatory in Bucharest where he studied the double-bass (1953-6). He played in various jazz groups with some of the most renowned jazzmen of his time. Known across the international jazz scene, Raducanu didn't just perform in his native Roumania, but also in the US, Germany, France, Switzerland, the UK, Italy and Russia. In 1987, he received honorary membership to the Louis Armstrong Academy in New Orleans

He started his career playing double-bass at 19. In 2005, he launched his book, "Johnny’s Country". According to press reports, Raducanu was an insulin-dependant diabetic. In February 2006, his health deteriorated, but he refused to be hospitalised - and who, indeed, can blame him. It seems that he died of a heart attack. May this wonderful (and very outspoken) musician - a great loss to Romanian jazz - rest in peace and be remembered for all that he gave in terms of music and so many moments of escapism, needed as much today as ever.

Comments

[sairj]

Yes, I did. Also Anca Parghel, Romnica Puceanu...

[vaentin]

Well, his talent and his absence should be a lesson to all those who hate rrom as an ethnic group and cannot distinguish individuals.
Its obvious you liked his music.Thank you

[doina]

Very touching.Thank you