New Interview for the American magazine Jazz Guitar Today
An interview with Libor Šmoldas for the American magazine Jazz Guitar Today was conducted by Joe Barth. In the conversation, Šmoldas reflects on his musical beginnings in Prague, moving from rock and blues toward jazz, inspired by early recordings and a family collection of jazz records.
He also talks about his music education in the Czech Republic and how playing with more experienced musicians has always been the most important part of his development. The interview touches on his influences as a jazz guitarist, including Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, and Jim Hall.
Further topics include his collaborations with John Stowell and David Friesen, the Sorry Miles! project, and long-term musical partnerships in both Europe and the United States. Finally, Šmoldas reflects on the Prague jazz scene, which he describes as very active and vibrant despite its smaller market.
He also talks about his music education in the Czech Republic and how playing with more experienced musicians has always been the most important part of his development. The interview touches on his influences as a jazz guitarist, including Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, and Jim Hall.
Further topics include his collaborations with John Stowell and David Friesen, the Sorry Miles! project, and long-term musical partnerships in both Europe and the United States. Finally, Šmoldas reflects on the Prague jazz scene, which he describes as very active and vibrant despite its smaller market.
Libor Šmoldas Quartet's new album: "SORRY, MILES!"
To mark the century since Miles Davis's birth, leading Czech guitarist Libor Šmoldas immersed himself in an exploration of Davis's body of work, seeking out the stories behind the disputed authorship of certain compositions. The result is Šmoldas's twelfth album, Sorry, Miles!, released on 6 March via Bivak Records.
The recording features new arrangements of Davis's compositions, including Solar, Donna Lee, and Tune Up, alongside original pieces inspired by Miles Davis's musical and visual art: the title track Sorry, Miles!, Square Head, and Prima Dancers. The slim booklet accompanying the CD also offers a brief glimpse into the events that cast doubt on the authorship of part of the legacy of one of jazz's greatest innovators.
Launch concerts will take place in both of the Czech Republic's major cities, with two distinguished godparents for the occasion. On 11 March in Prague, at the Club U Staré paní, the album will be launched by Šmoldas's literary hero, writer Petr Stančík. The Brno launch will be held at the JazzFestBrno festival on 7 April at the Cabaret des Péchés, with American guitarist Peter Bernstein serving as godparent.
New Videos of Libor Šmoldas Quartet and Libor Šmoldas Organ Trio!
NEW YORK TRIO'S ALBUM DUSK
"Dusk" comes after trio's two previous albums Dreamtime and On the Move. The band consist's of legendary drummer Adam Nussbaum and basist Jay Anderson. Dusk contains eleven of Libor's original compositions capturing different phases of one day from dawn (Crack of Dawn) to midnight (Dead of Night).
Unlike previous recordings, Šmoldas plays a telecaster-type electric guitar on the album and does not use a pick but focuses on finger style technique which gives the whole album new sound full of harmony and color.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Come and listen to live music! In the GIGS section you will find links to upcoming performances with both my own projects and my sideman bands