WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
Famous Croatian singer Gabi Novak has died at the age of 89.
Born on July 8, 1936, she spent part of her childhood in Berlin.
She then moved with her family to Hvar, and then to Zagreb. There she graduated from the School of Applied Arts, majoring in graphics, and briefly worked as an illustrator at Zagreb Film, in the Cartoon Studio.
A recognizable voice
She began performing in the late 1950s, and her recognizable voice soon made her one of the most beloved singers on the Yugoslav music scene of the time. Her repertoire included pop and jazz, and already during the 1960s she gained great popularity and critical acclaim.
During her rich career, she recorded a number of albums and singles, and collaborated with top composers and musicians. Her artistic achievements have been confirmed by numerous awards, including multiple Porins – in 2002 for Best Jazz Performance, in 2003 for Album of the Year, Best Female Vocalist, Best Pop Album and Best Vocal Collaboration, and in 2006 she received a Porin for Lifetime Achievement.
She was married to Stipica Kalogjer, and then to Arsen Dedić
Her first marriage was with the composer Stipica Kalogjer, and after the divorce in 1970, on March 30, 1973, she married the singer-songwriter Arsen Dedić, who was her husband and artistic collaborator until his death in 2015. In marriage, they had a son, Matija Dedić, a prominent jazz pianist.
Gabi Novak was often called the first lady of Croatian popular music, and her interpretation, emotional expression and artistic standard left a lasting mark on the musical heritage of Croatia and the wider region.
