Viklický/Hrubý – Between Us

On March 28, 2025, the two jazz musicians recorded a new live album at Jazz Dock. This marked the culmination of five years of intense duo collaboration. The album features an entirely fresh repertoire consisting of original compositions by both artists, as well as several pieces by world-renowned jazz composers. The CD is released by the label Amplion Records, with Alexej Charvát serving as producer.

Although Emil Viklický and Pavel Hrubý had known each other personally for some time, their musical collaboration began in 2020, when they came together to record Between Us—an intimate, partly improvised album for piano and bass clarinet, an unusual pairing. Following its release and the highly favorable response from critics, the two musicians decided to develop a concert version of this duo. In this new project, Czech jazz piano legend Emil Viklický engages in an intimate dialogue with the renowned wind player Pavel Hrubý, a generation younger. In his interpretations, Hrubý explores the full sonic spectrum of the bass clarinet, weaving elements of jazz, blues, classical music, and Moravian folk traditions into his compositions. The duo’s warm and utterly original sound embodies both perfection and tension, transforming their performances into true musical gems.

The musical personality of Emil Viklický (*1948) synthesizes jazz history, ranging from early jazz styles to modern jazz on the threshold of contemporary classical music. His work embraces both echoes of Moravian folk music and free jazz. Viklický has collaborated with leading jazz figures such as Bill Frisell, George Mraz, Miroslav Vitouš, Karel Velebný, and Eric Marienthal. Beyond numerous jazz projects, his significant contribution lies in fusing Moravian folklore with jazz, working with artists such as Zuzana Lapčíková, Iva Bittová, and Jiří Pavlica, the bandleader of Hradišťan. Viklický’s output also extends to film and contemporary classical music: he is the author of three operas and a number of film and television scores. A generation younger, saxophonist and bass clarinetist Pavel Hrubý ranks among the most distinctive Czech jazz instrumentalists today. He is well known from the jazz group Limbo and the trio Tellemarkk. In 2021, he released his solo album Go Between, presenting himself as a passionate improviser and a virtuoso on various saxophones and clarinets.

Admission: seating CZK 400, standing CZK 250. There is no need to reserve a seat when purchasing a seating ticket.

Band website: www.viklicky.com