Bands

LIBOR ŠMOLDAS QUARTET

    
Czech jazz guitarist Libor Smoldas‚ quartet is a leading representative of the so-called "new generation of Czech jazz”. To his credit, Libor has already recorded with stars of the world's stage (George Mraz, Jeff Ballard, Sam Yahel), made several of his own records, and has a wealth of international live experience. When assembling the quartet, Libor surrounded himself with three of the outstanding Czech musicians of his generation: Josef Feco (acoustic bass), Tomas Hobzek (drums) and Peter Benes (piano).

Most notable among recent international appearances was a three-week American tour. The Quartet was invited to play in New York City, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Richmond (Virginia), and North Carolina among other places. A show at the famed Smalls jazz club in New York and a gig accompanying the great saxophonist and member of the Jazz Messengers, Bobby Watson, at the WCU jazz festival garnered the most recognition for the group.

The Libor Smoldas Quartet has released a live album entitled „Live at Jazz Dock”. Using an innovative method of promotion, this album was also made available as a free download on Libor's website. Over 2000 unique downloads has led to a major following for the band in both the Czech Republic and abroad. The album consists solely of Libor's original compositions and it has also earned favorable reviews by the Czech press. The success of this live recording has also served as a springboard allowing the Quartet to begin performing outside the Czech Republic.

A new live album is now being prepared for release. It was recorded in the USA and captures the band‚s latest repertoire, a set that includes original compositions by all four members of the Libor Smoldas Quartet!

bassist Josef Fečo,
drummer Tomáš Hobzek
and pianist Petr Beneš.

ORGANIC QUARTET

 
    In terms of its sound, the quartet is a somewhat unusual group. It was formed in the summer of 2005 by its leader, the young organist Ondřej Pivec, and plays primarily original pieces (about 40% of which were written by Libor Šmoldas) inspired not only by contemporary jazz artists like Kurt Rosenwinkel, Sam Yahel, Peter Bernstein, Brad Mehldau, Wayne Shorter) but also by the great names of other genres such as funk, blues and rock. Thus the music respects traditional roots, but is full of modern elements. Although it is a relatively new name on the Czech scene, the quartet has already scored some significant successes.

In less than a year these talented young musicians (Pivec was born in 1984) succeeded in impressing local as well as international critics, and the band was named Talent of the Year by the jury of the 2005 Phillips International Jazz Festival. Among their greatest successes to date are the Academy of Music’s Anděl award for the Best Czech Jazz Album for their 2006 recording Don’t Get Ideas, and their 2007 performance on the main stage at Cheltenham, UK, one of the biggest jazz festivals in Europe. The band also plays regularly in many clubs and festivals throughout the Czech Republic and abroad. The new album is called Never Enough
 
Ondrej Pivec: Hammond organ
Jakub Doležal: saxophones
Tomáš Hobzek: drums
Libor Šmoldas: guitar
 
www.ondrejpivec.com
 
 
 

JAN KOŘÍNEK & GROOVE

 
Jan Kořínek is a top blues organist, The members of his band are:
 
Hammond organ: Jan Kořínek
drums: Martin Novák
guitar: Libor Šmoldas
 
Learn more on band's web
 
 
 
 

ZEURÍTIA

 
  The quartet of singer Vendula Smoldasova, Zeurítia stage name, used to focus primarily on the Brazilian bossa nova and samba. By artists as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carlos Lyra, Dorival Caymmi and Ary Barroso, in arrangements of her husband Libor. CD Zeurítia (2008). Recently the band has changed a little to focus more on jazz tunes in a voice – guitar- piano – bass setting.
 
voc: Zeurítia
guitar: Libor Šmoldas
bass: Petr Dvorský
piano: Jan Andr
 
www.zeuritia.com
 
 
 
 

JAN ANDR QUARTET

Jan Andr Quartet is one of the band of young jazz generation which focuses mainly on own work including traditional as well as modern jazz. The band was formed in the end of 2007 by its leader, the pianist Jan Andr who is also the composer of several songs. The idea of ​​founding the band met with success, that`s why almost immediately ​​joined guitarist Libor Šmoldas (Zeurítia, Organic Quartet), bassist Tomáš Liška (Druhá tráva, Matěj Benko Quintet) and drummer Ondřej Pomajsl (Madfinger). The author of other compositions is already mentioned guitarist Libor Šmoldas. Although some songs are wholly composed, the band is open to free musical structure and traditional roots. The other musicians which also works with the band are bassist Petr Dvorský/Jaromír Honzák or Tomáš Hobzek on the drums.

 
Piano: Jan Andr
guitar: Libor Šmoldas
double bass: Jaromír Honzák / Petr Dvorský
drums: Tomáš Hobzek
 
a-year-ago

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