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 (born September 5, 1924, Ruma, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes - died March 6, 2011, Zagreb, Croatia) most commonly known by her stage name Rajka Vali was an Croatian pop music singer who enjoyed success through the 1940s and 1950s.

Valerija Raukar was born in the Croat family in East Syrmian village 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 WWII. 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-WWII 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

In 2001 Croatia Records (ex-Jugoton) made a tribute to forgotten Croatian stars.

Sources