Rajka Vali
| Rajka Vali | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Valerija Raukar |
| Born |
5 September 1924 Ruma, Kingdom of SHS |
| Died |
6 March 2011 (aged 86) Zagreb, Croatia |
| Genres |
pop Classical Adult Contemporary Easy Listening Chanson |
| Occupation(s) | singer, architect |
| Years active | 1943–1960's |
| Labels | Jugoton |
Valerija Raukar (September 5, 1924, Ruma, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes – March 6, 2011, Zagreb, Croatia) most commonly known by her stage name Rajka Vali was a Croatian pop music singer who enjoyed success through the 1940s and 1950s.
Valerija Raukar was born in the Croat family in East Syrmian town of Ruma (today located in Vojvodina, Serbia).
She began singing in the school choir in high school in Zagreb. Her professional singer career began accidentally in 1943. One of members of Trio Delinski was ill and since there was an urgent need for replacement. Valerija Raukar was literally dragged by her friends into the studio of Krugovalna postaja Zagreb.
She sang with Trio Delinski until the end of World War II. Afterwards she continued as vocal soloist, sometimes making records with dance orchestras.
She often sang in duet with Croatian legend Ivo Robić, Zvonimir Krkljuš and Bruno Petrali.
She studied architecture in Zagreb and graduated in 1955.
She was married twice. Her first marriage was with known pre-World War II Croatian jazz-musician Bojan Hohnjec, who influenced her early singing style. Her second husband was known Croatian jazz-musician, drummer Marijan Moša Marjanović.
In 1960 Rajka Vali moved with her husband to Germany. After moving to Germany, she continued her singer career. She also had concerts in France, Spain and Germany. She ended her singing career due her career as architect.
In Germany she specialized medical technique and projecting, so she designed several clinics and hospitals.
In 1980's she returned to Croatia, to Zagreb.
Discography
Rajka Vali recorded 26 singles for Jugoton in the period 1951.-1957. Only 19 of those records are saved.
Incomplete list of singles
- Ti si radost mi sva (You belong to my heart)
- Ti si biće mog sna
- Mambo, mambo, 1954
- Dal' znaš?, 1954
- Često se pitam
- Svatko za nečim čezne (To each his own)
- Srček dela tika taka - Rajka Vali i Ivo Robić
- Plavi dim, 1955
- Ti i ja
- Kad bi me volio
- Je li ljubav to (So this is love)
- San je želja (Dream is a wish)
- U iščekivanju (I'm thrilled)
- Tampico
- Baš je divan sunčan dan - Rajka Vali i Ivo Robic
- Tvoj (Yours) - Rajka Vali i Ivo Robić
- Sastanak (Danas opet)
- Kapljice kiše
In 2001 Croatia Records (ex-Jugoton) made a tribute to forgotten Croatian stars.
- Prozor u pedesete: Zaboravljene zvijezde, Forgotten Stars — trostruki luksuzni album: Zvonimir Krkljuš, Rajka Vali, Bruno Petrali pjevaju vam svoje uspjehe, Croatia Records, Perfekt Music, 2001
Sources
- (Croatian) Rajka Vali Interview
- (Croatian) Barikada - World of Music Rajka Vali
- (Croatian) Vijenac Nada Vrkljan-Križić: Ispravljena nepravda, December 27, 2001