Johnny RADUCANU
Born in Romania the 1st of December 1931 in Braila, Johnny Raducanu - Cretu Raducan on his real name - is descending 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, Duke Ellington nicknamed him "Mister Jazz of Romania", during a performance in Bucharest.
During the World War II, Johnny lights up officers' dance with an accordion, to help his family. At this time his repertoire spans from Mozart and Beethoven to Rogers, Gershwin, Porter or Charles Trenet.
At 19, in 1950, during the communist dictatorship, he studies the bass at the Music Academy of Bucharest from where he gets fired - as strange as it can be - for refusing to pass a military strategy exam. Summoned by the dean, « You can play like Paganini with your bass, if you don't take the exam, you will be dismissed », he answers: « I applied to the Music Academy to study music, not to become a soldier. If this exam is compulsory, I'll be a musician, without a degree». He then drops his studies and become studio musician for Electrecord (the only music publishing house of the communist Romania).
In 1957, he takes his revenge: the Culture Ministry enrolls him as a student, in order to be allowed to represent Romania at the Youth Festival in Moscow. He plays jazz in Moscow with I. Körössy on piano and P. Osadici on drums. The trio is awarded the first prize by the accordionist Marcel Azola, chairman of the panel of judges. When M. Azola 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, described by the composer Pascal Bentoiu : « In Johnny lives Jazz, Johnny is jazz ». Johnny 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 LP: "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 turns towards music writing and naturally comes back to piano. He gives his last bass concert in 1977 and sells his instrument to buy a ticket to Paris, where he wanted to "get drunk with the beauty of the city of lights", as described by his father.
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)
« Each artist has, on top of what is implied, ie the feeling and the swing, another side in which he shines. Art Tatum sublimes the rhythmic, Armstrong the tone – vocal or instrumental – Ellington the thematic inventiveness. For Johnny, this talent is harmony. For him the colour is not the tone, but almost exclusively harmonic. Inventive, unpredictable, sometimes peculiar.» - Pascal Bentoiu (composer).
An oddness emphasized by the actor Ion Caramitru who says about Johnny « one can always envy a talent beyond conventions».
Unquestionably opposed to the communist power, Johnny Raducanu is put under house arrest in the city of Tescani, in 1984. Enlightened by the turmoil of the place and inspired by the village of Georges Enesco, he composes one of his most famous pieces « Tescani '84 », a tribute to the rebels. During this period, the American Library of Bucharest finds in him a wonderful cultural ambassador for the Jazz, and takes him under his wing. This will give him the opportunity to tour in US and to play on mythical Jazz stages in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York or New Orleans, where he is awarded in 1987 an honorary membership of the Louis Armstrong Academy.
A few years ago, the Romanian president awards him the « Medal of Honour», one of the highest distinction of the country. While receiving it, Johnny asks the president which use he could have of it. The president answers that the army will fire three honour volleys the day of his funeral. Thoughtful, Johnny fires back: « And do you think I will hear them Mister President ? ».
The 1st of April 2005 he receives the « Price of Excellence », one of the most famous awards given by the Union of Romanian Composers. Once again, Johnny drops a word for the audience: « I thank my colleagues for this distinction, but I mostly thank God, because this price of excellence, I already received it in my mother's womb. »
Today, Johnny Raducanu chairs the Romanian Jazz Federation.
Generous and passionate, his philosophy can be summarized by: « The signification of art, for the musician I am, is to give all the music I have in my heart to the public. »
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