Photos: Emil Viklický & Eve Quartet

On December 14th Emil played a one-off concert with the Eve Quartet in Prague. It was a rare chance to hear some of his music created for piano and string quartet: complex pieces that show a whole different side to his writing. Here are a few photographs from the unique occasion:





Many thanks to Zuzana Peřinová and the Eve Quartet for the photographs. More information about the Eve Quartet at www.evequartet.com.

Photos From The Organic DVD Recording

Here are some pictures from the recent DVD recording at Divadlo Disk on 16/7, courtesy of photographer Patrick Marek.

Viklický / Wellins At AghaRTA

The last night of this CZ-GB mini-tour (28/6) was once again a delight to witness. Bass duties were taken over by Petr Dvorský but otherwise the outfit was the same as before: Emil Viklický, Bobby Wellins and Dave Wickens.

It was probably the tightest of the three performances, loaded with improvisation but always retaining melody and musicality. From the lyrical to the blistering they tore through such exciting material as Caravan (J. Tizol) and the gorgeous Monk's Mood (T. Monk). The lack of repetition over the three dates was truly impressive, with the outfit producing three very different shows.

It was a true privilege and pleasure to see these gentlemen making music together and it is to be hoped that Bobby and Dave pass this way again soon.




(Left to right: Dave Wickens, Bobby Wellins, Petr Dvorský, Emil Viklický, Tony Emmerson)

Photos: Viklický / Wellins At Wallenstein Garden

Summer rain interfered with proceedings at Wallenstein Garden yesterday (27/6) but the quartet still played for an hour to a damp but appreciative crowd.

Emil Viklický & Bobby Wellins

British sax legend Bobby Wellins (he of Stan Tracey's Under Milk Wood fame) is in town and playing with Emil in a short burst of concentrated coolness. They were at Reduta on 26/6, will be at the Wallenstein Garden at 6PM on 27/6, and also at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum on 28/6. They don't play together often but it is tight, exciting, fun and powerful. This is the cream of modern European jazz jamming together: real music by real musicians.

The full band comprises of Emil with with Bobby Wellins, Dave Wickens (drums), and his regular bassist František Uhlíř.

Pictures from Reduta (26/6):

Ondřej Pivec OQ Back From China

Ondřej and his ORGANIC Quartet have just returned from a successful trip to China where they played two gigs and took in the local sights. The band are now embarking upon a busy schedule of live and session work, including their recorded-for-DVD gig on July 16th.


Pictures courtesy of OPOQ's management.

Michal Prokop & Framus Five at United Islands (20/6)

The early afternoon rain didn't dampen spirits at the Czech Stage of the United Islands festival, although admittedly we were nicely sheltered in a big tent! PJ's highlight of the day was undoubtedly the set by Prokop and his Framus Five band. Incredibly three of the outfit (Luboš Andršt, Wimpy Tichota, Pavel Razím) had just stepped off a flight from Bucharest where the night before the Luboš Andršt Blues Band had been in action!

Prague Jazz - World Stage

Once again the stars of the Prague Jazz world are globetrotting in the name of music.

The Robert Balzar Trio have just completed five nights in New York City, helping to highlight the soon-to-end Czech presidency of the EU. Meanwhile the Ondřej Pivec ORGANIC Quartet are packing their bags for Beijing where they will be performing for one night at the Czech embassy and then the following night at a Beijing jazz club!

The Luboš Andršt Blues Band website has been updated with pictures from their recent concert in Hong Kong - you can check them out here.

News: Emil Viklický - Moravian Gems

Emil has been out on the road again with George Mraz, Laco Tropp and Iva Bittová, playing material from their Moravian Gems album.

An excellent set of photographs from their concert in Trutnov, taken by photographer Patrick Marek can be found here.

If you prefer moving pictures then a good video can be found here.

Many thanks to EV for the information.

News: New Emil Viklický Recordings and Photographs

There is exciting news from Emil Viklický, with something old and something new on the way.

First of all, some of his material from the deep and dark 1970s is due to be made available on a CD collection, including collaborative work with guitarist Luboš Andršt. Regular readers of Prague Jazz will appreciate that this prospect causes no little excitement at our HQ.

If that wasn’t enough, there is also a really new new album on the way, with the working title of Moravian Rhapsody – Janáček of Jazz, and recorded in NYC with bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash. Having already heard a clip from the album I can say with assurance that it is worth looking forward to. More details on release dates and labels when we have it, with reviews to follow when we can.

Emil has also been busy with live performances with his Trio in Prague, and also promoting the Moravian Gems album released last year in collaboration with Mraz, Laco Tropp (drums), and Iva Bittová (vocals, violin). They played a concert together in a museum in Basel, Switzerland on November 16^th, and thanks to Emil we have some photos to of this unique occasion for you to enjoy.

Feature: Žižkov Meets Jazz

The underground warren of Palác Akropolis once again played host to the annual Žižkov Meets Jazz music festival, and Prague Jazz was there for the opening evening. Over two nights it was possible to see some big names in Czech jazz, and also younger up-and-coming outfits, for a bargain price. Tickets bought in advance were only 120CZK, and even in this post-credit-crunch world that is not a hefty cost. As an added sweetener there were selections of whiskeys and cigars available for free at the beginning of the night, and it was easily possible to smoke and drink yourself into a net profit on the evening. Sadly not many of the cigars were fired up instantly, although there was still a pleasing affluent fug around some of the tables.

The first of the two main acts was Veronika Diamant with her new Sofajazz project. The name may suggest “lounge music” as found in the world’s worst best hotels but do not be deceived. Darker and more powerful than the outfit she had with her in concert last year it benefited immensely from the addition of piano to the previous guitar/bass/drums arrangement. Song-led, but with interesting instrumental passages, they put together a confident set. Some of her older standards made it through, such as the Czech version of “Jersey Girl” (Tom Waits) and “It Ain't Necessarily So” (Gershwin / Gershwin), but there was also a lot of new material. Diamant’s voice sounded stronger and more expressive than ever and hopefully there is a lot more to come from her and Sofajazz.

During the break between main sets the young Latin-influenced outfit Zeurítia played in the adjoining small hall, leaving just enough time for people to return to their seats for the second main act, Polish-Cuban vocalist Yvonne Sánchez. Playing with a stripped down acoustic band, with just percussion and acoustic guitar, she gave a sensitive yet gutsy performance that delighted the sold-out Akropolis. Including pieces from her recent My Garden album, she sang in both Czech and English with equal beauty. Pedro Tagliani did a good job on guitar, even generating a searing “electric” solo from his acoustic axe using an effects box, much to the confusion of those who do not understand such oral alchemy.

Zeurítia played a final brief set in the small hall to end the night. It was good that all the tickets for this event were sold. Hopefully this will ensure that the annual Žižkov Meets Jazz festival not only continues, but also continues attracts the sort of sponsors who merrily will dole out Scotch and stogies to happy jazz fans.

Feature: Pictures from Luboš Andršt’s 60th Birthday Concert

Lucerna Music Bar
14th October 2008

Emil Viklický sits in:

Jan Hrubý on violin, Wimpy on bass:

Happy Birthday!Peter Lipa on vocals:

Photos: Vladimír Mišík and ČDG

Czech music legend Vladimír Mišík was in action last week, as part of a free concert to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soviet invasion. Playing with him in his outfit were Prague Jazz's favourite violinist, Honza Hrubý, and Czech guitar supremo Radim Hladík (Modrý Efekt / Blue Effect). Sadly we can't bring you any of the free beer or free food that was there, but we can bring you some pictures:

AghaRTA Open Air Concerts - Day 1

AghaRTA Gang feat. Štěpán Markovič:

Vít Švec Trio:

An excellent solo from Vít Švec Trio pianist, Jiří Růžička:




Ondřej Pivec ORGANIC Quartet:

Matej Benko Quintet:

Jazz fans in Prague's Old Town Square:




Emil Viklický Trio:

"Highlands, Lowlands":