Oleg Ukhnalev had a strong and beautiful baritone. The range of his vocal possibilities was very wide and allowed him to perform both modern compositions and old romances. Ukhnalev had a chance to work with many famous composers and performers. For several years he worked in army musical groups.
From the biography of Oleg Yakovlevich Ukhnalev
The future pop singer was born in Gorky on November 27, 1946. Oleg's father was a military sailor. In 1962, Ukhnalev Sr. insisted that his son enter the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Baltic Fleet.
A year later, the aspiring singer met Nikolai Dobronravov and Alexandra Pakhmutova, who met with Baltic sailors. After listening to Ukhnalyov, who sang the song "Cuba - my love", Pakhmutova recommended that he go to Moscow to get an education.
Carier start
In 1964, Ukhnalev successfully passed the exams and entered the Moscow Conservatory, GITIS and the Gnessin School immediately. A choice had to be made. And Oleg decided to link his fate with the conservatory. He studied vocal.
In 1967, Oleg met Yuri Saulsky. Under his leadership, Ukhnalev, without interrupting his studies, began to act as a soloist of the VIO-66 jazz orchestra. The singer performed works by Henry Mancini, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones.
In 1968, Ukhnalev met David Tukhmanov. During that period, the composer worked with pop singer Valery Obodzinsky. Tukhmanov invited Oleg Yakovlevich to perform a song on the radio on the verses of Igor Shaferan. As a result, the composition "And not that yes …" sounded in the morning program "Good morning!". The next day, the singer woke up famous. There was a turning point in his career.
Subsequently, Oleg Yakovlevich with Tukhmanov's composition "While Young" took part in a youth song competition. The result was the first prize.
To the heights of success
In 1970 Ukhnalev successfully graduated from the Conservatory. At the same time, his first gramophone record was released, which sold a million copies throughout the USSR. Ukhnalev becomes a soloist of VIA "Muscovites", where he worked with Alla Pugacheva. He also had a chance to cooperate with Valery Obodzinsky.
The singer's repertoire was based on patriotic and lyrical compositions. Ukhnalyov's handsome baritone was immediately noticed by army musical groups. In 1980, Ukhnalev was invited to the ensemble of the Moscow Military District. Here he worked as a soloist for four years.
Over time, the artist became a strong professional. He perfectly mastered his voice, developed an original manner of performance and presentation of the material to the audience. Ukhnalyov's vocal abilities allowed him to perform classics, modern works and even old romances. Oleg Yakovlevich tried to sing at least one song at his concerts without a microphone.
Ukhnalev continued his creative activity in the new millennium, performing together with members of the orchestras of Eddie Rosner, Oleg Lundstrem, Yuri Saulsky.
The famous singer passed away on August 14, 2005 in the city of Krasnogorsk.
