Jazz Articles

Nikol Bókóva: Prometheus

by Friedrich Kunzmann
June 10, 2021

The quintet which pianist Nikol Bóková rounded up for her third album as a leader can be regarded as a showpiece of the young and dynamic talents stirring up the Czech jazz scene. Featuring the crafty skills of contemporary guitarist David Doruzka, French-horn player Radek Baborak's exceptional lyricism, and a versatile rhythm section made up of bassist Jaromir Honzak and Michal Wierzgon, Prometheus presents a highly melodious program which blends timeless lyricism with modern soundscapes to an effect that weighs ...

Lubos Soukup Quartet featuring Lionel Loueke: Země

by Friedrich Kunzmann
March 12, 2018

Dedicated to our planet, Země finds Denmark-based saxophonist Lubos Soukup's Quartet joined by Lionel Loueke for a rich set of earthy tunes (pun intended). Translated from the Czech Zeme, each title on “earth" is tightly intertwined with nature in name and atmosphere. Not allowing the slightest hypocrisy to shine through, even the booklet of the quartet's third outing is made of recycled paper and it's content ends on a formal dedication to Mother Earth and a very aware “May our ...

David Doruzka: Autumn Tales

by Chris Mosey
June 20, 2017

David Doruzka is from the Czech Republic. He plays impressionistic guitar very much in the Pat Metheny tradition. Indeed, while studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Doruzka was chosen by Metheny to participate as the only guitarist in the 2000 Aspen Snowmass Jazz Colony. Another major influence on his playing has been a teacher at Berklee, saxophonist Joe Lovano. After graduating, Doruzka stayed on in the US for a year, based in New York, where ...

Libor Smoldas Quartet: Live At Jazz Dock

by Dan Bilawsky
December 31, 2011

Czech guitarist Libor Smoldas doesn't buy into the idea that music is simply meant to be a product for commerce. While Smoldas peddles some of his recorded wares like the rest of the performing musicians out there, his third album--Live At Jazz Dock--is actually free for the taking for anybody who wants to visit his website and download it. His self-admitted goal is “simply to get the music to the widest audience possible," and this would seem to be the ...

Libor Smoldas: In New York On Time

by Dan Bilawsky
April 8, 2010

Guitarist Libor Šmoldas is a known entity within the Prague jazz scene, but In New York On Time should help him to significantly expand his fan base beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. While Šmoldas has largely worked with Czech musicians in a variety of groups, including his trio and quartet which focus on his music, the Organic Quartet and vocalist Zeurítia's Brazilian project, he used a recent visit to New York to record with some of the finest ...

Petr Zelenka: Memory Flash

by Douglas Payne
February 13, 2009

Czech guitarist Petr Zelenka brings an edgy warmth to jazz that isn't heard too often these days. There are occasions when the guitarist recalls Jim Hall, whose harmonically advanced yet melodically rooted lines not only quelled the abstractions of Chico Hamilton and Jimmy Giuffre but spiked the pretty sparkles of Paul Desmond and Bill Evans. And yet, Zelenka also brings an unpredictable European sensibility to his music that is reminiscent of many ECM productions--that sense of wandering off from the ...

Ondrej Pivec: Overseason

by John Barron
July 22, 2008

When Czechoslovakian organist Ondrej Pivec ventured to New York City with fellow countryman drummer Tomas Hobzek, a recording session was arranged with Brooklyn-based, Canadian guitarist Jake Langley and tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm. The resulting disc, Overseason, is a groove-oriented collection of soulful sounds, steeped in the organ combo tradition and brimming with hard-hitting, progressive solos.

Pivec's compositions, which make up the bulk of the disc's material, are full of melodic hooks and funky grooves. The opening track, “Song for Sam," ...