Emil Viklicky
Emil Viklicky was born in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), where in 1971 he graduated from Palacky University with a degree in mathematics. While a student he devoted much time to playing jazz piano. In 1974, he was awarded the prize for best soloist at the Czechoslovak Amateur Jazz Festival, and that same year he joined Karel Velebny's SHQ ensemble. In 1976, he was a prizewinner at the jazz improvisation competition in Lyon, and his composition Green Satin (Zeleny saten) earned him first prize in the music conservatory competition in Monaco, where in 1985 his Cacharel won second prize in the same competition.
In 1977, he was awarded a year's scholarship to study composition and arrangement with Herb Pomeroy at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He then continued his composition studies with Jarmo Sermila, George Crumb and Vaclav Kucera. Since returning to Prague, he has led his own ensembles (primarily quartets and quintets), composed and arranged, and - since the death of Karel Velebny - worked as director of the Summer Jazz Workshops in Frydlant. He has lectured at a similar workshop event in Glamorgan, Wales. Between 1991 and 1995, Viklicky was President of the Czech Jazz Society, and since 1994 he has worked with the Ad lib Moravia ensemble, whose performances combine elements of Moravian folk music, modern jazz and contemporary serious music. In 1996, the ensemble undertook a highly successful concert tour of Mexico and the United States.
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Album Review
- Mraz & Viklicky: Together Again by Ian Patterson
Extended Analysis
Interview
Album Review
- Cookin' In Bonn by Victor Verney
November 23, 2020
Jazz Musician of the Day: Emil Viklicky
November 23, 2019
Jazz Musician of the Day: Emil Viklicky
November 23, 2018
Jazz Musician of the Day: Emil Viklicky
November 23, 2017
Jazz Musician of the Day: Emil Viklicky
November 23, 2016
Jazz Musician of the Day: Emil Viklicky
November 23, 2015
Jazz Musician of the Day: Emil Viklicky
October 24, 2013
Emil Viklicky "The Janacek Of Jazz" Plays Rare London Gig At Spice Of...
January 07, 2010
"The Funky Way of Emil Viklicky" Reviewed in UK Vibe!
November 29, 2009
Recent Listening: Hal Weary, Bill Frisell, Emil Viklicky
November 09, 2009
—Jack Massarik, London Evening Standard, 10 Dec. 2007
“Emil Viklicky's chiming chords and poignant melodic turns on Moravian love songs had a Keith Jarrett-like eloquence.”
—John Fordham, Guardian, 21 Jan. 2007
“Emil Viklicky is one of those European jazz pianists who has successfully incorporated elements of his indigenous folk culture into jazz. When he performs his original compositions with their indebtedness to Czech and Moravian folk forms, a very distinctive and rewarding synthesis occurs
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