ArtistInfo

George Skrbina

voc, *1906
Folk

George Skrbina was born in Pupolica, Yugoslavia in 1906. As a child he was fascinated with tamburitza music, but being of limited financial means, his interest was nothing more than a dream. Having an agile and very imaginative mind, George devised a means of financing a tambura. He commandeered the services of two very productive chickens, whose eggs he sold. Before long, he had enough money in his treasury to purchase a tambura. He had to walk eight miles to buy it, but he had realized his dream. With this determination and background there was no way George was to be an ordinary tamburas. He practiced every minute he had available and became an outstanding musician. George came to the United States at the tender age of 14 and settled in Youngstown in 1929, where he immediately joined a band consisting of himself, Dave Zupkovich, Steve Belish, Matt Nenkovich, and Pete Vladkovich. His travels took him to Detroit, where he met Steve Pavlekovich and a life-long friendship developed. From here, as his abilities ascended, he went to New York, where he joined the Banat tamburitza band, a premier band at that time. In Youngstown, George formed the Balkan Serenaders, also a top band in that era and locality. George's appearances on TV and radio were many in the Ohio/Pennsylvania area. Over the years George taught many youngsters, including the Markulin brothers, Lou, Steve, and Tony, his son Rudy, and Libby Fill, the female all-time outstanding tamburas. George performed with many outstanding tamburasi. Among them are Steve Pavlekovich, Markulin Brothers, Dave Zupkovich, Johnny Krizancic, Mel Evanovich, Pete Radakovich, Marty Kapugi, and Joe Marmilich. George transposed many of the older songs which were composed in 4/4 or 3/4 time to 2/4 time, which produced a more lively type of music. The transition was very well accepted by many of the top bands in the country. Using the chromatic scale, he introduced to tamburitza the cello, which gave tambura music a much greater depth of tone. This addition to tambura music was accepted by many bands and is being used more and more today. George's contribution did not stop here. It was George who introduced the idea of tamburasi playing in a standing position rather being seated. This innovation permitted the performers to mingle with the audience, which, of course, is enjoyed by music lovers of all nations. Let us not forget that this idea made possible the tamburasi playing at the bar. Where do you see more enjoyment than the competition at the bar for the honor of 'treating' the performers? There are thousands of individuals who were fortunate to have enjoyed this gentleman's countless hours of performing, many times far into the wee hours of the morning. He, in turn, enjoyed nothing more than to see people enjoying his presentations. George's dedication to the preservation and promotion of tambura music certainly warrants his appointment to the Tamburitza Hall of Fame with the many others so honored.

Genres

• Folk
• World
• Pop

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