Karel Velebný (17 March 1931 – 7 March 1989, Prague) was a Czechjazz musician, composer, arranger, actor, writer and music pedagogue. Velebný was one of the founders of modern Czech jazz in the second half of the 20th century.[1]
At 7 years old, Velebný played piano and at 15—already a modern jazz enthusiast—taught himself to play alto saxophone. He graduated from gymnasium then studied drumming at the Prague Conservatory. He made his first public performance as a student, and became a full-time professional as soon as he graduated.[2] From 1955 to 1958 he played with Czech jazzman Karel Krautgartner's orchestra, then joined contrabassist Luděk Hulan to co-found Studio 5, which became the key ensemble of modern Czech jazz.[2] He continued to work with Krautgartner until the latter emigrated in 1968.
In 1960, the Studio 5 ensemble was absorbed by the Taneční orchestr Československého rozhlasu (Dance Orchestra of Czechoslovakia Radio), but Velebný and the original Studio 5 members soon quit. In 1961, Velebný and flautist Jan Konopásek co-founded SHQ, initially part of the Spejbl and Hurvínek Theatre (thus Spejbl and Huvínek Quintet), but later extending into independent performances.[3] It became one of the most important bands in Czech jazz history. Velebný was its leader, composer, arranger, played as a multi-instrumentalist and taught the younger band members. SHQ's instrumental line-up and membership changed frequently. Later, Velebný was diagnosed with a serious heart disease and was forced to quit as a saxophonist and vibraphonist.[4] In his later years, his instrumental role was mainly restricted to piano.[2]
Karel Velebný played with various Czech jazz ensembles, including Kamil Hála's orchestra, the Linha Singers ensemble and occasionally with Gustav Brom's Big Band. Jiří Stivín, Luděk Hulan, František Uhlíř, Rudolf Dašek, Josef Vejvoda, and Jan Konopásek were among his regular collaborators. Velebný and S+HQ also accompanied Eva Olmerová on her first studio album The Jazz Feeling.
As a composer, Velebný concentrated solely on jazz, in compositional styles and arrangements reminiscent of Gerry Mulligan, Chick Corea, Gary Burton and Benny Golson. He wrote mainly for his own ensembles (notably Studio 5 and SHQ) but also for the Kamil Hála Orchestra, the Karel Vlach Orchestra and others. His oeuvre comprises over 200 compositions, which include his prolific contributions to film music.
Velebný was also a founder and leader of specialised Czech jazz pedagogy in the 1970s. In 1978 he was invited to the Berklee College of Music, where he studied jazz teaching and the different approaches of European and American jazz.[5] He organized and led the Summer Jazz Workshop in Frýdlant until his death in 1989. As a teacher, Velebný emphasised knowledge of techniques which could be broadly applied on jazz standards.[4] He also wrote the specialist jazz textbook Jazzová praktika (The Jazz Practical).[6]
Velebný contributed significantly to Czech theatre. He co-founded the Jára Cimrman Theatre, under the pseudonym dr. Evžen Hedvábný (actually, Karel Velebný has invented Jára Cimrman as a polyhistor and a Greatest Czech of all centuries), and made occasional onstage appearances - as an actor - during its early days.[7]
Discographyedit
untitled LP (DV 10 164, SH Quintet, Supraphon).
Poezie a jazz II (Supraphon 1965). (Poetry and Jazz II)
SHQ a přátelé (Supraphon 1965). (SHQ and Friends)
SHQ (Supraphon 1966).
Jak hrál SHQ (Supraphon 1966). (How SHQ played)
Československý jazz 1966 (Supraphon 1967). (Czechoslovak Jazz)
Karel Velebný Nonet, SHQ & Woodwinds (SABA 1968).
SHQ Karel Velebný (ESP 1969).
Motus (Supraphon 1971).
Týnom tánom (Supraphon 1971).
Jazzové nebajky (Panton 1973).
Parnas – Karel Velebný & SHQ s hosty (Supraphon 1981). (Parnas - Karel Velebný and SHQ with Guests)
Jazzman Cimrman (Panton 1985).
S+HQ Karel Velebný & Company (Radioservis CR0398-2)[8]
^"S+HQ Karel Velebný & Company". Radioservis. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
Referencesedit
The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, Second Edition, Volume III. London etc. 2002.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, Volume II. London etc. 1988. p. 575.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Dorůžka, Lubomír; Poledňák, Ivan (1967). Československý jazz. Minulost a přítomnost (in Czech). Prague, Bratislava: Editio Supraphon.
Dorůžka, Lubomír (2002). Český jazz mezi tanky a klíči (1968-1989) (in Czech). Prague: Torst. ISBN80-7215-167-3.
Dorůžka, Lubomír (1990). Panoráma jazzu (in Czech). Prague: Mladá fronta. ISBN80-204-0092-3.
Velebný, Karel (1988). Jazz Confession (Jazzové vyznání). Jazz themes not only for piano. Prague: Panton. P 2688
External linksedit
Český hudební slovník osob a institucí (Czech Music Dictionary) (in Czech)
Karel Velebný at All About Jazz
Karel Velebny and SHQ at ESP-Disk
Česká hudba (Czech music) (in Czech)
Reflex.cz (in Czech)
January 01, 1970
karel, velebný, march, 1931, march, 1989, prague, czech, jazz, musician, composer, arranger, actor, writer, music, pedagogue, velebný, founders, modern, czech, jazz, second, half, 20th, century, background, informationborn, 1931, march, 1931prague, czechoslova. Karel Velebny 17 March 1931 7 March 1989 Prague was a Czech jazz musician composer arranger actor writer and music pedagogue Velebny was one of the founders of modern Czech jazz in the second half of the 20th century 1 Karel VelebnyBackground informationBorn 1931 03 17 March 17 1931Prague CzechoslovakiaDiedMarch 7 1989 1989 03 07 aged 57 GenresJazzOccupation s MusicianInstrument s Vibraphone piano saxophone Contents 1 Biography 2 Discography 3 Notes 4 References 5 External linksBiography editAt 7 years old Velebny played piano and at 15 already a modern jazz enthusiast taught himself to play alto saxophone He graduated from gymnasium then studied drumming at the Prague Conservatory He made his first public performance as a student and became a full time professional as soon as he graduated 2 From 1955 to 1958 he played with Czech jazzman Karel Krautgartner s orchestra then joined contrabassist Ludek Hulan to co found Studio 5 which became the key ensemble of modern Czech jazz 2 He continued to work with Krautgartner until the latter emigrated in 1968 In 1960 the Studio 5 ensemble was absorbed by the Tanecni orchestr Ceskoslovenskeho rozhlasu Dance Orchestra of Czechoslovakia Radio but Velebny and the original Studio 5 members soon quit In 1961 Velebny and flautist Jan Konopasek co founded SHQ initially part of the Spejbl and Hurvinek Theatre thus Spejbl and Huvinek Quintet but later extending into independent performances 3 It became one of the most important bands in Czech jazz history Velebny was its leader composer arranger played as a multi instrumentalist and taught the younger band members SHQ s instrumental line up and membership changed frequently Later Velebny was diagnosed with a serious heart disease and was forced to quit as a saxophonist and vibraphonist 4 In his later years his instrumental role was mainly restricted to piano 2 Karel Velebny played with various Czech jazz ensembles including Kamil Hala s orchestra the Linha Singers ensemble and occasionally with Gustav Brom s Big Band Jiri Stivin Ludek Hulan Frantisek Uhlir Rudolf Dasek Josef Vejvoda and Jan Konopasek were among his regular collaborators Velebny and S HQ also accompanied Eva Olmerova on her first studio album The Jazz Feeling As a composer Velebny concentrated solely on jazz in compositional styles and arrangements reminiscent of Gerry Mulligan Chick Corea Gary Burton and Benny Golson He wrote mainly for his own ensembles notably Studio 5 and SHQ but also for the Kamil Hala Orchestra the Karel Vlach Orchestra and others His oeuvre comprises over 200 compositions which include his prolific contributions to film music Velebny was also a founder and leader of specialised Czech jazz pedagogy in the 1970s In 1978 he was invited to the Berklee College of Music where he studied jazz teaching and the different approaches of European and American jazz 5 He organized and led the Summer Jazz Workshop in Frydlant until his death in 1989 As a teacher Velebny emphasised knowledge of techniques which could be broadly applied on jazz standards 4 He also wrote the specialist jazz textbook Jazzova praktika The Jazz Practical 6 Velebny contributed significantly to Czech theatre He co founded the Jara Cimrman Theatre under the pseudonym dr Evzen Hedvabny actually Karel Velebny has invented Jara Cimrman as a polyhistor and a Greatest Czech of all centuries and made occasional onstage appearances as an actor during its early days 7 Discography edituntitled LP DV 10 164 SH Quintet Supraphon Poezie a jazz II Supraphon 1965 Poetry and Jazz II SHQ a pratele Supraphon 1965 SHQ and Friends SHQ Supraphon 1966 Jak hral SHQ Supraphon 1966 How SHQ played Ceskoslovensky jazz 1966 Supraphon 1967 Czechoslovak Jazz Karel Velebny Nonet SHQ amp Woodwinds SABA 1968 SHQ Karel Velebny ESP 1969 Motus Supraphon 1971 Tynom tanom Supraphon 1971 Jazzove nebajky Panton 1973 Parnas Karel Velebny amp SHQ s hosty Supraphon 1981 Parnas Karel Velebny and SHQ with Guests Jazzman Cimrman Panton 1985 S HQ Karel Velebny amp Company Radioservis CR0398 2 8 Notes edit SHQ AllAboutJazz 2008 10 06 Retrieved 2009 05 06 a b c Velebny Karel in Czech Cesky hudebni slovnik osob a instituci Retrieved 2009 05 06 SHQ in Czech Cesky hudebni slovnik osob a instituci Retrieved 2009 05 06 a b Doruzka 2002 p 250 in Czech Doruzka 2002 p 249 in Czech Hueber Vojtech 2008 S HQ Karel Velebny and company S HQ CD S HQ Karel Velebny and company Prague Radioservis p 4 CR0398 2 Doruzka 1990 p 267 in Czech S HQ Karel Velebny amp Company Radioservis Retrieved 2009 05 07 References editThe New Grove Dictionary of Jazz Second Edition Volume III London etc 2002 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz Volume II London etc 1988 p 575 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link Doruzka Lubomir Polednak Ivan 1967 Ceskoslovensky jazz Minulost a pritomnost in Czech Prague Bratislava Editio Supraphon Doruzka Lubomir 2002 Cesky jazz mezi tanky a klici 1968 1989 in Czech Prague Torst ISBN 80 7215 167 3 Doruzka Lubomir 1990 Panorama jazzu in Czech Prague Mlada fronta ISBN 80 204 0092 3 Velebny Karel 1988 Jazz Confession Jazzove vyznani Jazz themes not only for piano Prague Panton P 2688External links editCesky hudebni slovnik osob a instituci Czech Music Dictionary in Czech Karel Velebny at All About Jazz Karel Velebny and SHQ at ESP Disk Ceska hudba Czech music in Czech Reflex cz in Czech Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Karel Velebny amp oldid 1225854980, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
