MiLAN SVOBODA & PRAGUE BiG BAND - Reminiscences (Supraphon 1980)

 

Similarly to Karel Krautgarter a decade earlier (unfortunately not very well documented on records), Milan Svoboda was relatively interesting presence in a field of big band jazz in former Czechoslovakia during late 70's and early 80's. Born 1951, composer, pianist and graduatee of the Organ class at Prague Conservatory (and a cousin of saxophonist Jiří Stivín), he started first big band in 1974 with his colleagues from jazz rock area on purely enthusiast base. During the next few years, Prague Big Band established itself as main attraction on Czech big band scene, aside of long-standing names as Czechoslovak Radio Jazz Orchestra and Gustav Brom Big Band.
First PBB album "Portarit" was released in 1978, followed by "Reminiscences" in 1980, with leader's compositions exclusively. Last album of original PBB is "Poste Restante" from 1982, reissued on CD by German label Aurophon in 1994. CD of "Reminiscences" was issued by former label Supraphon in 1995, but is OOP for long time now. This rip comes from CD release, while I was trying to enhance the sound slightly and to repair huge bug in the beginning of first track. In the group line-up, Svoboda is credited as leader only, but he plays also piano on track 3 at least. Overall sound is a bit fusion tinged, with occasional use of electric keyboards and bass guitar.

Live footage of Prague Big Band from 1980

Since early 80's, Svoboda leads also his own small groups, mainly quartet sized. During 1984 he studied at Berklee College of Music, where he recorded live album with international big band, consisted of his College schoolmates. Back at home, he did one album of Czech-Polish Big Band, released as Nr.5 in "Interjazz" Supraphon series, and in 1990 he started other big band named Kontraband, with mainly younger jazz players. Aside of his other musical activities, Svoboda leads new version of Prague Big Band (sometimes presented as Milan Svoboda Big Band) since 1995 until now. 

Something more recent from Czech big band scene