Gregor Serban

Romanian gypsy musician born in Brăila , August 1st, 1909 - December 12, 1997, Delft, Netherlands. Grigore Șerban, brother of Colea Serban, had great success especially in the Netherlands. Șerban's father was cymbalist and Gregor played early in his father's orchestra. At the age of 7 he performed for Czar Nicholas II of Russia (1916). In 1931 Gregor came with his Orchestra to the Netherlands. During the WWII, he worked in Amsterdam , Carlton and Theater Tuschinski. Gregor changed his last name to Serbanescu to avoid being arrested by the Germans. In late 60's early 70's, at the end of the golden age of gypsy music, he had to look back to something else. He played several years in the Broadcasting Promenade Orchestra. Gregor is the father of violin player Andrei Serban and pianist Gregor Serban Jr.