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From the ArchivesSatchmo and the liberating power of jazz
Nothing better symbolizes the political thaw in 1960s Czechoslovakia than
the boom in jazz, which many saw as embodying the very idea of individual
expression and freedom from constraint. It is not hard to imagine the
excitement when Louis Armstrong came to Prague in March 1965. Many people
felt that Czechoslovakia had at last come in from the cold, and his concert
at Prague’s Lucerna Ballroom was a cultural milestone. It ended with
Satchmo thanking his audience, commenting that the Czech passion for jazz
had come as quite a surprise to him. More
Sunday Music ShowEmil Viklický, the "Janáček of Jazz"
In today’s Sunday Music Show we look at the work of living jazz legend
Emil Viklický, for whom 2011 began with a Presidential Medal of Merit and
ended with the release of two new albums. In the second part of an
interview begun on our December 16th Arts programme, we began by asking the
pianist if he remembers the first time he ever sat down to a piano. More
ArtsJazz legend Emil Viklický
It has been a good year for Czech jazz legend Emil Viklický, beginning
with a Presidential Medal of Merit and ending with the release of two new
albums, one in Germany called “Spring Awakening” and another in Japan,
where he plays regularly, called Kafka on the Shore, a Tribute to Haruki
Murakami. In the first part of a wide-ranging interview with the pianist we
began by talking about his English, which he told me he originally picked
up from his black fellow musicians in the 1970… More
One on OneRudy Linka – a guitar virtuoso bringing world renowned musicians to Czech cities and towns with Bohemia Jazz Fest
The world-renowned jazz guitar player Rudy Linka was born in Prague but
moved to Sweden at a young age. After half a decade there he left for the
US, and has been living in New York for nearly a quarter of a century. In
recent years, however, Rudy has been home in the Czech Republic every
summer, organising the Bohemia Jazz Fest, a great free event which brings
world class jazz musicians to a number of Czech towns and cities. We met at
Café Slavia, one of the haunts of his teenage years. More
Sunday Music ShowFamous Czech jazz flutist Jiří Stivín
This week’s Sunday Music Show is devoted to one of the country’s most
prominent jazz artists –flutist Jiří Stivín. The 68-year-old musician,
who is reputed to be able to play on a blade of grass, says the feel for
jazz is something you are born with and some of the best renditions come
from children who are as yet unspoiled by the constraints of a music
education. More
Sunday Music ShowMichael Kocáb, composer, rock star and human rights activist
In Sunday Music Show today, we’ll be listening to the music of Michael
Kocáb. A distinct and versatile musician, Michael Kocáb also has a record
as a human right activist who played a significant part in the Velvet
Revolution. More
Czechs in HistoryJiří (George) Voskovec – the Czech theatrical pioneer who carved out a Cold-War career in Hollywood
This edition of Czechs in History looks at the life and career of Jiří
Voskovec, one half of the legendary Czech duo Voskovec and Werich, whose
work at the “Liberated Theatre” or Osvobozené Divadlo in the 1920s and
30s left an indelible mark on Czech culture. More
Current AffairsBohemia Jazz Festival brings legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner to Czech Republic
In its 6th year, the Bohemia Jazz Festival brings world-class jazz
musicians not only to Prague, but another six cities across the country.
Organized by jazz musician Rudy Linka, the festival is held outdoors at
town squares and traditionally free of charge. Jazz guitarist and organizer
Rudy Linka talks about Wednesday's line-up ahead of the second night of
concerts in Prague. More
ArtsLaco Deczi – Jazz and real life in Prague and New York
American jazz trumpet player Laco Deczi - born in Czechoslovakia – needs
little introduction, especially for anyone familiar with the world of jazz.
At 73, Deczi hasn’t let up one bit – most recently playing a month-long
tour in his homeland. Despite a busy schedule, Laco took time off to come
to Radio Prague’ studio; in this week’s Arts he discusses everything
from life in New York to his spring tour. More
From the ArchivesJaroslav Ježek in defence of jazz in 1934
The theme tune for this series is from a song called Aesop and the Ant, and
it was composed by one of the legends of twentieth century Czech music.
Jaroslav Ježek died in wartime exile in New York at the age of just 35. He
is best known for the songs he composed for the famous pre-war satirical
cabaret, the Liberated Theatre, and he was also one of the pioneers of
Czech jazz, fearlessly crossing the borders between popular and classical
music. In November 1934, the young composer – he was 28 at the time -
came into the radio and talked about jazz. More
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