Background
Toni was born in the Bâldana village, near Bucharest, and began learning the instrument from his father when he was four.
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Toni Iordache
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He was nicknamed the God of the Cimbalom and Paganini of the cimbalom. Some years later his family would move to Bucharest in the Herăstrău neighborhood, where many famous lăutari lived. There, Toni continued to learn from Mitică Ciuciu, who was a famous cimbalom player in his days.
At 12, he was employed at the National Radio Orchestra of Popular Music.
With the Ciocârlia Ensemble, Toni Iordache would tour the world: many European countries, the United States of America and also Asian countries. In between tours, he would play at weddings, being the most sought after lăutar of his days.
Often, after landing at the airport he would drove directly to a wedding where the other musicians were waiting for him. Among others, he played with Romica Puceanu, Gabi Luncă, Ion Onoriu, Ionică Minune and also with the well-known pan flute (nai) player Gheorghe Zamfir.
In early seventies Toni Iordache was arrested for possession of foreign currency, which was strictly forbidden in communist Romania.
Despite his high popularity and interventions in his favor he was sentenced to three years in jail. His imprisonment was kept undisclosed to the press, only his friends knew. During his time in jail he lost greatly in weight, but he recovered fast after his release and was able to resume his musical activity.
His time in jail was made easier by both his fellow inmates and guards that were very fond of him.
Toni Iordache became seriously ill with diabetes. The doctors recommended to have his leg amputated, but the operation did not save his life.
He died in February 1988. His friend and fellow musician Costel Vasilescu (also known as Costel Trompetistu") took care of the funeral.
The great conductor Sergiu Celibidache embraced him with tears in his eyes after he attend one of his shows.
Toni Iordache was the one that nicknamed the great Romanian accordionist Ionică Minune (Johnny, The Wonder). The great singer Gabi Luncă recounted that they were in a concert during the major 1977 earthquake. Toni Iordache was so concentrated on his solo that he didn"t even notice the earthquake.
He was described as "pure genius" by Chris Nickson in his review from Allmusic.
Achievements
Membership
Later, he would become a member of the Ciocârlia National Ensemble, the primary popular ensemble in the country.
