Anthony Markulin

Violinist Tony began his musical training at the age of 10 when he learned to play the violin. With his brothers, Tony played the violin while Steve played the cello and bugarija and Louie played the bass. In the early 1940s, they organized the Balkan Serenaders with George Skrbina and made some fine records while playing in Youngstown and surrounding areas of western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. Moving on, Tony joined Dave Zupkovich and the Balkan Recording Orchestra. Many of the recordings by Balkan Recording Orchestra are still regarded as classics in the tambura field. The Balkan Recording Orchestra played in almost every ethnic community in the United States and Canada during the late 1940s and 1950s. Tony appeared on radio and television with all the known bands from western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as groups from Buffalo, New York, Gary, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois. After moving to the Chicago area, Tony joined the Dunav Orchestra and taught both tambura and violin to youngsters while playing with both Dunav and the Serenaders. Retiring to Palm Springs, California, Tony once again hooked up with Chuck Sabolic, Walt Naglich, Pete Gaspich, and Charlie Kezman. Tony has devoted his life to the music and culture of tamburitza. Making the violin an accepted part of many of the finest tambura groups by his skill with the instrument, his ability to teach, and his ability to compose music. Much more could be said about Tony by his many friends.