Ken Kosovec Inducted - Detroit 2006
	Ken started playing the tambura (prim) in 1954 at the age of 6 with the Detroit CFU Jr. Tamburitzans directed by Andrew Benda.  He was the youngest member of a combo (Crescendos) which was formed from this class in 1962.  This popular young combo played locally for eight years and they were a featured guest group at Pittsburg's Croatian Day in 1965 and the annual dance in Rankin, Pennsylvania.
	At an early age, Ken was encouraged by his father's orchestras, Zvjezda and Balkan Cavaliers and the late Steve Pavlekovich (TAA Hall of Fame) from whom he gained musical knowledge and encouragement.
	In 1969, Ken became the first teacher and director of the newly organized Detroit Star Jr. Tamburitzans, a position held for 15 years.  During this period he composed and arranged musical numbers for this ensemble.  Memorable highlights of his tenure as director were two tours of Croatia and Vojvodina in 1975 and 1984.  The Croatian press and capacity audiences were very complimentary of this youthful director and his young musicians.  His high standards and expectations produced many fine young musicians including the members of orchestra "Biseri" who were all his.  Many of Ken's students later became members of the Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra.
	For over 30 years Ken played prim and brac with the Detroit Senior Tamburitzans, now known as The Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra.  He was continuously involved in the organization serving as President, Vice President, Treasurer of the group.  In 1994, he became director when James Guracech retired and is currently serving in that capacity.  Because of his knowledge, care, accessibility and exacting expectations this orchestra continues to evolve and carry on the tradition of presenting compositions for the large tamburitza orchestra.
	Besides all of his other musical involvement, he was also a member of Orchestra Lira where he played cello and brac for 20 years.  During this period, the orchestra produced three long-play recordings.
	In 1992, Ken formed Tamburaski Orkestar Momci with Ken on prim, Joe Matievich and David Skaro on brac, his brother Dennis on bugarija, and Frank Corak on bass.  Later his son Peter and nephew David Kosovec were added along with David Ranilovich.
	Ken has always been involved in promoting tambura music.  He served on the Tamburitza Association of America's Board of Directors and as Vice President for several years.  He performed regularly with Orchestra Lira and is presently participating with Tamburaski Orkestar Momci.  After directorship for the Detroit Star Tamburitzans, he took an active role for many years in the Parents Club, serving as President and Vice President.  He always promoted and assisted in sponsorship of cultural groups locally and from abroad.  Through the years, Ken was privileged to accompany many famous singers from abroad such as Ivica Serfezi, Marko Novosel, Zvonko Bogdan, Vera Svoboda, and Miro Skoro in their local concerts and in Pittsburgh and Chicago.
	Ken's home has always been hospitable to visiting musicians from here and abroad.  His children, Sonya and Peter, were raised in a musical environment, and are graduates of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans where they were featured performers.  Peter plays presently with orchestra Otrov and occasionally with Momci.  Both Sonya and Peter are continuing to perpetuate Tamburitza music, a love instilled in them by their parents.
	For over 12 years, Ken has directed tamburitzans at Christmas Eve midnight mass services at St. Jeromes/St. Lucy Croatian Catholic Churches playing Christmas medleys, and also leading the congregation and choir in singing traditional carols.
	Ken is recognized by accomplished fellow musicians locally, nationally, and abroad for his mastery and expertise on the tambura.  He continues to bring tamburitza music to the forefront by supporting its history and evolution with familiar tamburitza enthusiasts and listeners, and is a proponent of exposing new listeners to be educated in this art through leading several tamburitza lecture/demonstrations in the metro-Detroit area.  Ken is committed to the longevity of tambura music, and is well deserving of this induction.
Return to Hall of Fame Membership List