Eugen Cicero facts for kids
Eugen Cicero (born Eugen Ciceu; June 27, 1940 – December 5, 1997) was a talented Romanian-German jazz pianist. People often called him "Mister Golden Hands" because of his amazing piano skills. He was famous for mixing classical music with swing jazz, creating a really unique sound.
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About Eugen Cicero
His Early Life and Music
Eugen Cicero was born in a town called Vad, in Romania. His father was a priest, and his mother was a professional singer. Eugen started playing the piano when he was only four years old! By the time he was six, he was already performing a Mozart piano piece with a full symphony orchestra in Cluj.
Even though he studied music at a top school in Bucharest, he decided not to become a regular classical concert pianist. Instead, he found his own special style. He loved to take classical songs from famous composers like Bach or Mozart and add swing jazz rhythms and improvisations to them. It was like giving old songs a fresh, new beat!
A Unique Musical Journey
In 1962, while on tour, Eugen Cicero moved from East Berlin to West Berlin. This was during a time when Germany was divided. He then spent two years in Switzerland, playing with an orchestra there.
After returning to Germany, Cicero became very successful. He made over 70 music recordings, some with famous groups like the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra. He also appeared many times on German TV and was very popular when he toured Japan. In 1976, he even won a special music award called the Deutscher Schallplattenpreis for his amazing versions of Franz Schubert's music.
Later Years and Family
In 1982, Eugen Cicero moved back to Switzerland. He passed away in Zürich in 1997 at the age of 57, after a sudden illness.
Eugen's family also had a love for music. His younger brother, Adrian Cicero, is also a jazz musician. His son, Roger Cicero (1970–2016), became a very well-known jazz singer himself.
Images for kids
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Eugen Cicero playing the piano
