Considered by many to be the living legend of the Polish jazz, Jerzy Milian remains one of Europe's leading vibraphonists. In the autumn of 1965 he found himself doing a brief yet fruitful stint with the Czechoslovak big band directed by Gustav Brom. It wasn't until almost half a century later, however, that the recordings documenting this unique collaboration finally surfaced on a CD. Blues for Praha is out now.
Back in the 1960s Gustav Brom's orchestra was classified by “Down Beat" as of one the world's best big bands. Jerzy Milian had already been an experienced musician and performer by then, having played with Krzysztof Komeda and Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski. In October 1965 he seized the Czechslovak audience during his memorable performance at the Prague Jazz Festival, bringing down the Lucerna Music Hall and becoming the event's biggest revelation almost instantly. Although the live recordings have not survived, their studio equivalents, laid down at the Czech radio and encompassing the material from the entire show, are now released on the Blues for Praha CD. The ensemble's live potential can be heard on three additional live tracks recorded in February 1966 at Brno's Jazz Club.
Remastered from the original tapes, the album comes with a lavish booklet featuring a comprehensive essay (also in English), the artist's reminiscences and a bunch of previously unseen photos by Marek Karewicz.
Blues for Praha continues the bestselling “Jerzy Milian Tapes" series of recordings launched in 2012 with the “When Where Why" album. At least eight more volumes are to follow.
Back in the 1960s Gustav Brom's orchestra was classified by “Down Beat" as of one the world's best big bands. Jerzy Milian had already been an experienced musician and performer by then, having played with Krzysztof Komeda and Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski. In October 1965 he seized the Czechslovak audience during his memorable performance at the Prague Jazz Festival, bringing down the Lucerna Music Hall and becoming the event's biggest revelation almost instantly. Although the live recordings have not survived, their studio equivalents, laid down at the Czech radio and encompassing the material from the entire show, are now released on the Blues for Praha CD. The ensemble's live potential can be heard on three additional live tracks recorded in February 1966 at Brno's Jazz Club.
Remastered from the original tapes, the album comes with a lavish booklet featuring a comprehensive essay (also in English), the artist's reminiscences and a bunch of previously unseen photos by Marek Karewicz.
Blues for Praha continues the bestselling “Jerzy Milian Tapes" series of recordings launched in 2012 with the “When Where Why" album. At least eight more volumes are to follow.
