Jan Rubini
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stockholm, Sweden
Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Jan Rubini | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Background information | |
| Born | April 5, 1897 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Died | December 2, 1989 (aged 92) Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Classical |
| Instrument | Violin |
| Spouse(s) |
Diane D'Aubry (div. 1928)Adele Crane
(m. 1929; div. 1939)Helen Ring Pabst (m. 1965) |
Jan Rubini (April 5, 1897[citation needed] – December 2, 1989) was a Swedish violinist and conductor who had a long career in vaudeville and films.[1][2] His personal life was stormy, with four marriages, three of those ending in bitter divorces. He is the father of Michel, a professional musician.
Rubini was born in Stockholm, Sweden, to Samuel Rubini, an Italian-British composer and pianist, and a Russian-born Swedish mother.[3][4] He gave his first public violin concert at the age of 7 and performed solo for the British royal family two years later,[5] followed by a performance for U.S. President Woodrow Wilson at age 16.[4] During his childhood, he spent some time in Spain, where he met Salvatore Santaella; the two became great friends and would meet up again in the U.S. and perform together for many years.[6]
Career
A musical prodigy, Rubini came to the U.S. in February 1916, settling in New York City. By that time, he had already made a name for himself in the UK with concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and the Queen's Hall in London, and had conducted orchestras across Europe.[7]
He moved to Hollywood and was hired by William Fox to play with the in-house orchestra before films were shown. such as at the Carthay Circle Theatre. The Danish musician–comedian Victor Borge recommended to Rubini that he follow in his footsteps, and Rubini became known as an entertainer in addition to a serious musician.[2][8] He was known for combining comedy and musical virtuosity in his shows.[9]
In September 1956, Rubini opened the Keyboard Supper Club in Beverly Hills, where he hosted numerous performances until he sold it in March 1958.[10][11]