Ukrainian and Moldovan pop singer and violinist, soloist of the Bukuria jazz orchestra under the direction of Shiko Aranov.
Biography.
Born to a grain trader, the family soon moves to Akkerman.
In 1930, he graduated from the Uniria Private Conservatory in Chisinau, majoring in violin with Professor Mark Pester.
In 1930-1933, he performed as a violinist and flutist in restaurant orchestras in Accra, and from 1933 - in Bucharest. In 1935, he joined Petro Leshchenko's orchestra, where he met his future wife, Sofia (Sonia) Shyrman. In 1937, he leads the orchestra of the Black Lion restaurant in Chernivtsi, where he also began to sing, invites multi-instrumentalists Huna (Harry) Shyrman and Charles (Heikel) Breitburd - the future founders of Moldovan Jazz.
In 1939, he returned to Bucharest, performing at the Pelican restaurant and again with Petro Leshchenko.
After Bessarabia joined the USSR, he moved to Chisinau and quickly organized an orchestra at the Orpheum cinema. In 1941, the Moldavian State Jazz Orchestra was created on its basis under the direction of Shiko Aranov, Kaplansky became a soloist; his wife and her brother, violinist Harry Shirman, also performed there.
Among the songs performed:
"I Couldn't Come Back",
"The Violin",
"Thank You, Moms!"
"Return",
"If You Love Me..." - in Moldovan and Russian forms, lyrics by Liviu Delianu, Russian lyrics by Georgii Khodosov.
During the Second World War, he gave concerts at the fronts.
Among other songs performed:
"Aurika" - lyrics by Aureliu Busuojok, Russian lyrics by Alexander Renin and Igor Ivanov,
"Moldavian Nights" - lyrics by Badas Alexandru, Russian lyrics by Alexander Renin,
"George" - from the movie George from Dinky Jazz" - all composed by Shiko Aranov.
In 1948, Moldderzhzhaz was disbanded, and Kaplansky became a soloist in the pop ensemble of the Chisinau Philharmonic, and in the 1950s he became a member of the restored Bukuria jazz orchestra.
