[78-L] The orchestra of Dušan Jovanović

[Nikola Zekić]

There seems to have been quite a number of Serbs who came to the USA 
from the village of Sânpetru Mare, or, as they called it, Veliki 
Sempetar. There were enough of them to form at least two tamburitza 
orchestras, namely Banat, lead by Zdravko Jezdimir, and Orao (Eagle), 
the leader of which was Dušan Jovanović, although, perhaps, there were 
some musicians who were members of both orchestras. The renowned 
brothers Vasa and Mirko Bukvić also came from that village.
As my friend Steven Kozobarich rightfully pointed out, there were many 
factors that set Dušan Jovanović apart from the other great musicians of 
his day. He was a true virtuoso on the prima, unafraid to take his 
playing in new directions, yet with an obvious respect for the old 
styles. His vocals were passionate and full of emotion. This was true 
"soul music"!
He was extremely popular not only in the Serbian and Croatian 
communities, but also among Romanians and Hungarians. He even recorded a 
set of Romanian records on the Victor label under the name D. 
Joanovichu, and at least one disc for Columbia as Dan Joan Din Temisoara.
He also made a number of Comedy records, some with his "Orao" orchestra, 
and some with other groups, such as that of Vasa Adamov.
Unfortunately Dušan Jovanović never recorded after 1929. Tragically, he 
was killed in an auto-train collision, along with his entire "Orao" 
orchestra, on the way to a performance.
Here is one Serbian, one Croatian, and two Romanian songs, as performed 
by him and his orchestra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teC4sNHy_KI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_knGqSEsmU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdz3z1MEug8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru2C8ljtGWA