Nikola Maxim Jakovac (1913 - 1976) Inducted - Las Vegas 1976
	Nikola Maxim Jakovac was an extremely skilled and successful tamburitza musician and promoter.  From 1929 until a few years before his death, he wa active in the tamburitza field as an arranger, promoter, and musician with several popular orchestras.  The first orchestra he played with was the well-traveled "Sloboda" tamburica orchestra.  This orchestra, large in number (15), was organized in 1929 and soon became one of the leading touring groups in the country.  Besides entertaining at many large and important Yugoslav affairs, this orchestra through the promotions of Nikola, began entertaining and introducing tamburica music to the American public at such events as debutante parties and society functions as well as nightclub engagements.  "Sloboda" was an extremely young group, most of its members having been 16 or 17 at the time of its inception, and it was because of this fact that the group eventually disbanded as most of the members got married or became involved in other concerns.  But "Sloboda" had given Nikola Jakovac his introduction to tamburica, as well as a wealth of valuable experience.
	Nikola Jakovac was a serious student of music having studied harmony and composition under the renowned symphony conductor Vladimir Golschman and music theory through the St. Louis Institute of Music.  With "Sloboda", Nikola had played brac and had also begun arranging music for the group.  After "Sloboda" disbanded in 1937, Nikola began playing cello, the instrument he was to play for the rest of his life.
	In 1941, Nikola's whole world fell out from under him when he contracted tuberculosis and remained in the hospital for two years.  It was after his release from the hospital that he opened his own club that he was to run for 25 years.  He banded together with several other musicians in 1946 to form the "Tamburica Slav" orchestra.  Becauses of his business that required his attention, Nikola did not travel with this orchestra.  He featured the "Tamburica Slav" in his Tamburica Room and thereby introduced tamburica to the American public on a much wider scale than had been attempted previously.  Through this exposure the orchestra became one of the favorite musical groups of the city's elite, enabling the unit to perform at some of the city's exclusive social events.  It was at this time that Nikola instituted his file card system which boasted some 5000 tamburica enthusiasts that he was able to compile through the group's many appearances both public and in his club, as well as at private functions.
	In 1956 Nikola organized the group he was to promote and perform with for the rest of his life, the "Jakovac Tamburica".  This group consisted of most of the musicians from "Tamburica Slav", meaning this original group was to have played together for all of 30 years.  The "Jakovac Tamburica" was the culmination of all of Nikola's work in the tamburica field.  Nikola played cello, sang, arranged, and promoted this orchestra.  It must be emphasized that the "Jakovac Tamburica" played at many important Yugoslav events as well as in Nick's own Tamburica Room, but through Nick's efforts elevated tamburica to a position of prominence where it was afforded much exposure.  Nikola's group entertained in mediums generally not open to tamburica orchestras.  He always insisted that tamburica could and should be on a higher plateau.  It was with this reasoning in mind that Nikola booked his orchestra into fine ballrooms and hotels.  For almost six months, the "Jakovac Tamburica" entertained at the Chase Park Plaza, St. Louis's finest hotel.  For six months, the orchestra played at the Cafe Istanbul, one of the city's finer restaurants where not only the Yugoslav audience turned out but the American public as well, the same American public that had come to know tamburica through Nikola's efforts and who had been kept informed through an active mailing list.  The "Jakovac Tamburica" appeared weekly on their own radio show where tamburica was introduced to even more people and where the Yugoslavian people were kept notified of all of the orchestra's appearances.
	The "Jakovac Tamburica" also recorded several records where Nikola continued his successful methods including at least one song that would be familiar to the American public but that could be incorporated into the tamburica sound.  It was through this record business that Nikola not only utilized his talent of arranging but his business and promotional acumen as well.
	Nikola Jakovac also taught and direct young groups.  For five years, he directed, arranged for, and taught a group of 45 young musicians.  He taught students individually as well.  His great asset was that not only could he teach a particular instrument but he could teach music theory as well.
	Nikola also taught and encouraged his son's group who have now been playing for four years.  For three years, they toured for the Six Flags entertainment centers and have also played at fine restaurants in Dallas, Houston, and St. Louis.  Through Nikola's efforts, they recorded an album and were in the process of another at the time of his death.  Though not playing at the time of his passing, Nikola was very active in promoting his son's group and in taking tamburica to areas where it would be accepted and appreciated.  Nikola also arranged for this group.
	When tamburica is mentioned in St. Louis, invariably the name 'Jakovac' comes up as Nikola Jakovac lived, loved, and promoted it with all his energy.  In tamburica today, there are great musicians, leaders, and arrangers, but Nikola was all of these things.
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