| Juhan Maaker | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 26, 1845 Hiiumaa |
| Died | September 21, 1930 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | Estonian |
| Other names | Torupilli-Juss |
| Occupation | folk musician |
| Known for | bagpipe |
Juhan Maaker (26 March 1845 - 21 September 1930) [1] niknamed Torupilli-Juss was an Estonian folk musician, a player of the Estonian bagpipe. He was considered one of the most popular players at the time called the king of bagpipe players.[2]
During his lifetime Juhan Maaker performed with great success in hundreds of concert halls and became popular all over Estonia [3] and also in Finland.[4] In 1927-28 he took part of five concert tours in Estonia organized by August Pulst, an activist in promoting folk music in cooperation with the Estonian Open-Air Museum Society giving all together 244 concerts.[5]
36 pieces performed by Juhan Maakeri have been preserved and digitized from Phonograph wax cylinders found in the Estonian Literature museum.[6]
During his lifetime a sculpture of Juhan Maaker was made by the Estonian National Museum's sponsorship.[4]
After Juhan Maaker's nephew Aleksander Maaker (1890–1968) death there was only one surviving bagpipe player alive in Estonia: Olev Roomet who became the revivalist of bagpipe in the country by training 25 new players in 1970's.[7]
In modern times bagpipe playing is a part of the curriculum at University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy's Traditional Music faculty and in a number of regular music schools around the country.[8]