ArtistInfo

John Gornick

vc, *1932
Folk
A.k.a. John D. Gornick, Sr.

John Gornick was born on August 24, 1932, to John and Mae (Mitchell) Gornick in South Chicago, Illinois. By the age of 11, he was orphaned and sent to live at the CFU Children's Home in DesPlaines, Illinois. Although these traumatic circumstances altered John's life completely, it also marked the introduction of tamburitza music to him. This beginning opened up a life-long source of great joy and satisfaction. John's first tambura teacher was the late Professor Rozgaj, who taught him to play bass. Later at the Home, he taught himself to play bugarija. His first kolo dancing lessons were given by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Stefancich. The children were privileged to be taught choral singing by the late Stephen Pepich. All of these instructors were highly regarded in musical circles around Chicago. The children performed for many local functions and they also traveled to Detroit, Pittsburgh (Croatian Day at Kennywood Park), Milwaukee, and other cities. This was quite an experience for them. During his years at Maine Township High School, John played in the orchestra. He remembers special help given to him by the orchestra director, Alexander Harley, who allowed him to take the bass home to practice. This orchestra was invited to play for many civic functions. One special memory is the annual performance of the Messiah, with professional opera singers hired for the occasion. John played both bass and cello with the Sloboda Orchestra from 1951 through May, 1957, with the exception of a two-year period in which he served in the U.S. Navy. This orchestra was made up of young adults under the management of Mrs. Anna Kirin. The Kirin brothers, Joe and Steve, Mark Sarich, John Ivicek, Bill Novosel, Bob Pazulinec, and Ray Yankovich were the other members of the group. Even while John served in the Navy he managed to fit in time for music. At boot camp he played bass drum in the marching band and later he enjoyed some time on ship playing with a bluegrass group. He's never missed an opportunity to pursue his big love in life. In 1957, John joined the Continental Orchestra under the leadership of Tony Muselin. He has continued to be a member of the combo since then. With the Continentals, he has had many years of pleasurable performing, many miles of travel, and has recorded four albums. The group played with four members during the early years and always seemed to lose their 'bugarija' man, so John was elected to move from playing cello to be the permanent bugarija player. They have been the only three-man group in the Chicago area during this time. The early members of the Continentals included Sam Cuzella and Ed Vucinic. Later additions were Tom Zakula, Ed Franciskovich, Dick Burick and John Miksich, who presently plays bass with them. In 1969, John started to teach tamburitza. His first group was the Sacred Heart Jr. Tamburitzans (1967 - 1971). He joined the teaching staff of the Sloboda Junior Tammies in 1971. These years of working with his youthful beginner students has been very gratifying to John. He's known as 'Uncle John' to many of them even now. Another source of satisfaction and happiness to John has been to teach his fellow Children's Home friends to play tambura. This group called themselves the 'Friday Night Guys'. When this group slowly disbanded, John began to teach his adult tambura group 'Prijatelji'. Some of the 'Friday Night Guys' are also now in Prijatelji. Teaching adults has enabled John to develop as an instructor and music arranger. He constantly challenges his students to perform more difficult music and occasionally he gives them music he has arranged himself. One of John's biggest accomplishments was teaching all six of his children to play tambura. They have inherited from him the strong love and appreciation of tamburitza music. John can take pride in knowing his music will live on through his family for many years to come. Tamburitza [Celo] Tamburitza [Bugarija]

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