Quick Facts
Biography
Fejat Sejdić was a Serbian Romani trumpeter and Balkan brass band leader from Leskovac. His band won at Guča several times. He was unable to read music, playing "on ear" (na uvo).
Fejat's grandfather Rustem Sejdić (1892–?) from Bojnik near Leskovac was a trumpeter in the 2nd Infantry Division of the Royal Serbian Army. He was awarded the Order of Karađorđe's Star and the Albanian Commemorative Medal. Rustem famously sounded for assault, independently, when the division fought the Bulgarian Rila Division near Kajmakcalan in 30 October 1916; the Serbian assault was successful, and the division commander Dimitrije Milić thus had Rustem receive the Order.
Sejdić had performed for French President De Gol, Serbian prince Tomislav Karađorđević, Serbian politician Zoran Đinđić, Montenegrin president Milo Đukanović, Bosnian Serb general Ratko Mladić, Serbian career-criminal and warlord Arkan, British actor Richard Burton, and many other famous people.
His son Zoran and grandson Nebojša followed his footsteps. He retired in 2000. After his retirement, he gave his trumpet to his grandson Nebojša. He has since become sick, and survived stroke. In 2009, he asked the Ministry of Culture for a state pension. For Fejat's contribution to national culture, he received a state pension since 2013.