Biography for
Gheorghe Zamfir More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

6 April 1941, Gaesti, Romania

Nickname

King of the Pan Flute

Trivia

He achieved a degree of fame with the general public in the United States due to a television record offer containing a selection of various recordings. He was billed as simply "Zamfir" and called "The King of the Pan Flute.".

Expanded the traditional Romanian-style 20-piped pan flute to 22, 25, 28 and 30 pipes to increase its range.

First name Gheorghe is pronounced "Geor-ge"

By loosening and tightening his embouchure, can obtain as many as nine tones from each pipe.

Has written an autobiography: Binecuvantare Si Blestem [Blessing & Curses]. Arad: Mirador, 2000. ISBN 973-9284-9256-6.

Only plays pan flutes 'right handed'

Can play a sustained tone lasting about 2 1/2 minutes.

Originally wanted to become an accordionist.

Studied under Fanica Luca at Bucharest Academy of Music.

Over 120 million recordings sold, winning 120 gold and platinum disc awards

Began playing pan flute when he was 14 years old.

Graduated from Conducting, Conservatory of Bucharest in 1968.

Was conductor of "Ciocarlia" (Skylark) Folk Ensemble in Bucharest in 1969.

Performed at Carnegie Hall, New York in 1981.

Wrote an instructional book for pan flute: Traité Du Naï Roumain: méthode de flûte de pan. Paris: Chappell S.A., 1975. ISBN 88-8291-286-8.

Where Are They Now

(2006) Resides and teaches panpipe in Bucharest, Romania.