WUH TRIO (CZ/US)
Skip Wilkins – piano, František Uhlíř – double bass, Jaromír Helešic- drums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0toEVGR8jXw
PETR BENEŠ QUARTET + MIROSLAV HLOUCAL (CZ)
Ondřej Štveráček – saxofon, Tomáš Baroš – kontrabas, Marek Urbánek – bicí, Petr Beneš – piano, Miroslav Hloucal – trubka, křídlovka j. h.
Když Petr Beneš v srpnu roku 2013 založil nový Quartet, uskutečnil tak vizi, která se v něm formovala od doby, co jeho skladba „Waiting for Art” získala ocenění pro nejlepší jazzovou kompozici roku 2011 v skladatelské soutěži OSA. Jak sám říká, kompoziční stránka ho v hudbě velmi zajímá, repertoár kvarteta je i proto výhradně autorský. „Ve skladatelské sféře obdivuji asi nejvíce Pata Methenyho,“ upřesňuje kapelník. „Znám všechny jeho desky a kvantita i kvalita jeho díla zejména po skladatelské stránce je pro mě neuvěřitelná.“
Trio WUH was formed by the outstanding American pianist Skip Wilkins, the top European bass player František Uhlíř and legendary Czech drummer Jaromír Helešic. The program consists of original compositions written by Skip Wilkins and František Uhlíř and a large variety of selections from the Great American Songbook, including many chestnuts that, though familiar, are not overplayed. In March 2014 Trio WUH released the CD Live at Jazzinec recorded at the Festival Jazzinec 2013 in Trutnov. Trio WUH lends an original, international approach to the great American jazz piano trio tradition.
Skip Wilkins grew up in a musical family near Boston, where he studied at Berklee College of Music. Performing professionally for more than thirty years, Skip performed often with Multiple Grammy Winner and American NEA Jazz Master Phil Woods, including numerous performances with his small group and the Festival Orchestra. He has also performed with David Liebman, David Sanchez, Stanley Turrentine, Bobby Watson, Plas Johnson, Mark Murphy, Clark Terry, Conte Condoli and Peter Erskine among others. Skip has released eleven previous CDs as a leader or co-leader for a variety of American and European labels. He splits each year between the U.S. and Europe, where he has been touring frequently since 2007. He teaches at Lafayette College and Moravian College in Eastern Pennsylvania. He regularly teaches at the Karel Velebný Summer Jazz Workshop, and various other workshops in the Czech Republic and Greece. While previously living in the Czech Republic he taught at JAMU in Brno.
A graduate of the Brno Conservatory, František Uhlíř, has been a longtime member of Karel Velebný’s SHQ, formations of pianist Emi lViklický and now he also leads his own band known under the name F.U.T. (František Uhlíř Team). He is regarded as a player carrying forward the so called Czech double bass playing tradition (J. Mráz, M. Vitouš), and is among the very best European bass players. The portfolio of his activities includes cooperation with numerous international groups and soloists as well (East-West Connection, Czech-Norwegian Band, Europlane Orchestra, Prague-Vienna Connection, D. Weckl, B. Moses, S. Costanzo, B. Bailey, J. Newman, T. Curson, S. Nistico, S. Robinson, D. Goykovich, B. Dennerlein, P. Catherine, P. Mikkelborg and many others).
Jaromír Helešic was born in Uherské Hradiště and brought up in Mikulčice, South Moravia. Since the 1960s he has been living in Prague where he played in a number of jazz formations before joining double bassist Luděk Hulan’s Jazz Sanatorium. In the 1970s Jaromír Helešic became one of the best and most sought out drummers in the country (Impuls, Luboš Andršt´s Energit, Jazz Q Martina Kratochvíla, Pražský Big Band, Milan Svoboda Q, Rudolf Dašek Trio).
PETR BENEŠ QUARTET + MIROSLAV HLOUCAL (CZ)
Ondřej Štveráček – saxophone, Tomáš Baroš –double bass, Marek Urbánek – drums, Petr Beneš – piano, Miroslav Hloucal – trumpet, flugelhorn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp54qXQOtMw
When Petr Beneš in August 2013 founded a new quartet, his vision, which had shaped him ever since his song „Waiting for Art“ won an award for best jazz composition at the OSA Composers Competition in 2011, finally came to fruition. As he says, the compositional aspect in music interests him the most. The quartet repertoire therefore consists entirely of his originals. „In the sphere of composers I especially admire Pat Metheny,” explains Beneš. „I know all his records, and the quantity and quality of his work, especially compositions, is incredible.“
Not only by writing, however, is a man alive and Beneš presents himself in his band not only as a composer but also as a highly skilled pianist. „Players who have influenced me are many and span across all instruments,“ he explains. „Actually, I always prefer to listen to saxophonists, drummers, guitarists, bassists but naturally I did not reject any records done by great pianists. For me perhaps the most influential among pianists is Keith Jarrett with his approach to the instrument and tone. Fo rhis rhythmic approach I admire Benny Green – we are talking a true swing with everything that goes with it.“
A leader´s choice of teammates who help bringing his or her music to the world is absolutely crucial and with this in mind Petr made sure to be surrounded by compatible musicians. „I started with Ondřej Štveráček. I spoke to him first. I think that as a saxophone soloist he is second to none and I admire the technical prowess he has been able to achieve. When asked whom he would like to see on the bass player´s spot, Ondřej responded with no hesitation and Tomáš Baroš was in the band. In the case of the drummer Marek Urbánek it was my desire to have young blood in the band, but not at the expense of compromising the quality of our musical performance.“When asked why have the saxophone as the front line instrument, Petr answers promptly: „I think the saxophone is a royal instrument in jazz. Quartets seem to have the most balanced sound with the saxophone. I should add that the trumpet ace Miroslav Hloucal occasionally plays with us and the overall sound is also very interesting. At this concert you can hear them both.“His affinity for the saxophone perhaps also stems from his own fascination with the instrument. „Michael Brecker is the reason that I bought a tenor saxophone a few years ago to take some relaxing time with an instrument that is so much different compared to the piano.“
As a formerly highly in demand sideman, Petr is now slowly getting accustomed to the role of a leader. „The beginnings were not as easy as it probably is in all areas of life. It is necessary to assume responsibility for the repertoire and to choose the right order of songs during the concert. You cannot avoid the organizational part. Calling promoters, sending emails and negotiating gigs for your own band is a story in itself. Communication with the audience during concerts is another thing. I must say that I have a great respect for this discipline and I know that I can always improve.“
The quartet recorded a debut album in August 2015. „I decided to release it myself,“ Beneš says determinedly. „I founded my own record company and now I am going through the whole process of CD production for the first time in my life. As a performer I’ve recorded with many, but as a record company it is my maiden voyage and I’m often surprised at what it takes.“ He still considers the starting of his own band as one of his best decisions in his professional life. „I’m actually glad that I am now obliged to take care of my own concert activities from a wider perspective.“
