Šaban, the first Serbian artist to be exhibited in the most prestigious jazz museum

05 Jun Šaban, the first Serbian artist to be exhibited in the most prestigious jazz museum

The exhibition dedicated to the life and legacy of Šaban Bajramović will open in the world’s most famous jazz museum on June 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

The exhibition puts Šaban in the company of the legends and his idols, such as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, and James Brown, as the undisputed king of Balkan soul and blues and the world king of Romani music.

In addition to some of his personal items, the collection consists of his vinyl, audio cassettes, and CD records, concert posters, books, and magazine articles about him, and the original statue of him that Nišville Jazz Festival awards to the artists for the best fusion of jazz with other genres.

Part of the exhibition will be the photos of some of the laureates of this prestigious award, such as Salomon Burke, Blues Brothers, Ali Di Meola, and Candy Dafler. Visitors can also view a short documentary about Šaban and listen to his selected songs through QR codes.

The opening event will feature a performance by a New York based Roma accordionist Peter Stan, who played alongside Šaban during his concerts in America.

The exhibition results from a collaboration between the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the Nisville Jazz Festival. During their last year’s visit to Nisville, the New Orleans representatives learned about Šaban and recognized his immense contribution to the world’s music.

Jelena Ivanjac, the Nišiville Jazz Festival representative in the US, played a crucial role in communicating and designing the exhibition.

The opening is expected to be attended by high-ranking American dignitaries and representatives of the Serbian diaspora. The exhibition will be open for six months.