- Esma Redžepova
Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Esma Redžepova
Background = khaki
Img_capt =
Alias =
Born = Birth date and age|1943|8|8|mf=y
Origin = )
Occupation =Singer-songwriter ,humanitarian
Genre =Macedonian folk /Balkan folk / Roma
Years_active = 1956 - present
Instrument = Voice
First_album =
Latest_album =
Notable_albums = "Chaje "
Notable_songs =
Label =Jugoton
Associated_acts =Stevo Teodosievski , Ansambl Teodosievski
URL = [http://www.esma.com.mk www.esma.com.mk]Esma Redžepova ( _mk. Есма Реџепова) is a Romani Macedonian vocalist, songwriter, and
humanitarian born inSkopje ,Socialist Republic of Macedonia , thenYugoslavia . During her life she has performed in more than 8000 concerts in 30 countries, with her late husbandStevo Teodosievski she has fostered forty-seven children, and she has received numerous accolades for her humanitarian work.Cite web|url=http://www.ipak.org/esma/abstract.html|title=Esma Redzepova Teodosievska - second time Nobel Peace Prize nominee|accessdate=2006-08-02|author=Sasa Petejan] By her own account she has created more than 500 works of art.Cite web|url=http://www.esma.com.mk/repertoire.htm|title=Esma.com Repertoire|accessdate=2006-08-02] These include 108 singles, 20 albums, and 6 movies.Cite web|url=http://www.media-diversity.org/beta%20articles2/A%20role%20model%20for%20all_Esma%20Redzepova.htm|title="A role model for all: Esma Redzepova"|accessdate=2006-08-03|publisher=Media Diversity Institute|author=Snezana Lupevska]Early Life and Background
Esma was born on
August 8 ,1943 , in the predominately RomaniŠuto Orizari municipality ofSkopje , now capital of the FYROM. She is the second youngest of six children. Her mother was a Turkish Muslim, while her father was a Serb born inTirana ,Albania . His grandmother and grandfather were anIraqi Jew and aCatholic Roma respectively. Her family was relatively (but not abjectly) poor growing up, her father working variously as aporter ,singer ,drummer , circus strongman andshoe shine . Her parents stressed that all six children finish primary school. At age nine Esma was introduced by one of her brothers to a localRomani music organisation, where she was able to quickly learn complicated rhythms. Her mother encouraged her musical gifts and Esma and her brother soon joined their school's folklore group.Cite web|url=http://www.passiondiscs.co.uk/articles/journeys_extract.htm|title=Extract from "Princes Amongst Men: Journeys with Gypsy Musicians"|accessdate=2006-08-02|publisher=Serpent's Tail|year=2005|author=Garth Cartwright|format=Book]In 1957, age 14, she was personally invited to sing at a school talent contest for Radio Skopje. This concert proved to be a turning point—not only did she place first, beating out 57 other schools and winning 9000 dinars,Cite web|url=http://www.esma.com.mk/concerts-2.htm|title=Esma's Personal Website - Concerts|accessdate=2006-08-02] but national band leader and future husband Stevo Teodosievski also happened to be in attendance. After securing permission from her parents, Esma began touring with his musical ensemble. Legend has it she left home with a single suitcase filled with one dress and one Cocek costume.
Present
In recent years, Esma has remained popular throughout the Balkans. In
2004 , she recorded a duet withEurovision performerToše Proeski called "Magija".Her best known single [http://www.esma.com.mk/mp3/Chaje%20Shukarije.mp3 Čaje Šukarije] is the feature song on the
2006 movie , which she claims was used without her permission. As ofDecember 16th , 2006 together withNaat Veliov fromKočani Orkestar she is planning an 800,000euro ( USD 1,000,000) lawsuit against the producers of the film.The movieGypsy Caravan (2007) features Esma as one of five Romani music acts on their tour through the USA.References
ee also
*
Music of Republic of Macedonia
*Romani music
*Hazırım (Candan Erçetin album) External links
* [http://www.esma.com.mk Official Site]
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