Luděk Hulan
Encyclopedia
Luděk Hulan was a Czech jazz
double-bassist and musical organiser. He was an important exponent of Czech jazz in the second half of the 20th century.
s in Prague. From 1953 to 1957 he moved to Brno
and played double bass with the Gustav Brom
Orchestra, and on his return to Prague he co-founded Studio 5, which later became a part of the Taneční orchestr Československého rozhlasu (TOČR) (The Dance Orchestra of the Czechoslovak Radio). Studio 5, one of the most important modern jazz ensembles in Czechoslovakia
, disbanded in 1961, and Hulan founded another band - Jazzové studio (The Jazz Studio). The Jazz Studio often performed Hulan's own short compositions, which had poetic titles connected with the "flow of modern life". In the late 1960s he still collaborated with TOČR (later re-named the Jazz Orchestra of the Czechoslovak Radio - JOČR) and actively participated in Czech musical life. He was one of the pioneers of the "Jazz a poezie" (Jazz and Poetry) movement, which focused on cross-connections between various spheres of the Arts. In his Jazz studio Hulan collaborated with many important jazz instrumentalists, among them tenor saxophonist Milan Ulrich and trumpeter Richard Kubernát.
In 1968, following the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia he emigrated to Switzerland
, but could find no work connected with music and soon returned. His wife and daughter remained abroad. As a returned emigrant he was listed as "politically undesirable", a considerable obstacle in finding new music engagements. Despite this, he organised night-time jam sessions in the "poetic wine bar" Viola, founded a new band, Jazz Sanatorium with former colleagues from Jazz Studio, and helped its younger members in their careers. He also found work - occasional at first - with the Linha Singers ensemble. In 1972 the Traditional Jazz Studio invited him to record with the New Orleans clarinetist Albert Nicholas
. He also performed with the American clarinetist Tony Scott
, and prepared a TV series, Jazzový herbář (The Jazz Herbarium) with the director M. Peer. Hulan organised the "Jazz-film-forum" and "Jazz quiz" as part of his Jazz Sanatorium, using American films, recordings and literature. This was a rare event: in the "deep normalisation
" of Czechoslovakia, any propagation of American culture was officially undesirable. However, the Communist authorities had already confiscated his passport, so Hulan could visit the American embassy in Prague and borrow the materials for these readings and shows "without fear".
Luděk Hulan died under unhappy circumstances. He broke a rib in a stairway fall. The rib had pierced a lung, but Hulan was unaware of the nature or extent of his injury. He went to bed as usual, and died there.
The Czech Jazz Society presents an annual Luděk Hulan Award at the Slaný Jazz Days. In 1984, the prize was awarded to Eva Olmerová
, Hulan's regular collaborator.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
double-bassist and musical organiser. He was an important exponent of Czech jazz in the second half of the 20th century.
Biography
Hulan started his career as a founder-member of the amateur Hootie Club ensemble in 1948. In the early 1950s he performed in various professional jazz ensembles and helped organise jam sessionJam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
s in Prague. From 1953 to 1957 he moved to Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
and played double bass with the Gustav Brom
Gustav Brom
Gustav Brom, was a Czech big band leader, arranger, clarinettist and composer. He achieved fame in Europe and abroad from the 1940’s right through to his death in 1995...
Orchestra, and on his return to Prague he co-founded Studio 5, which later became a part of the Taneční orchestr Československého rozhlasu (TOČR) (The Dance Orchestra of the Czechoslovak Radio). Studio 5, one of the most important modern jazz ensembles in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, disbanded in 1961, and Hulan founded another band - Jazzové studio (The Jazz Studio). The Jazz Studio often performed Hulan's own short compositions, which had poetic titles connected with the "flow of modern life". In the late 1960s he still collaborated with TOČR (later re-named the Jazz Orchestra of the Czechoslovak Radio - JOČR) and actively participated in Czech musical life. He was one of the pioneers of the "Jazz a poezie" (Jazz and Poetry) movement, which focused on cross-connections between various spheres of the Arts. In his Jazz studio Hulan collaborated with many important jazz instrumentalists, among them tenor saxophonist Milan Ulrich and trumpeter Richard Kubernát.
In 1968, following the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia he emigrated to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, but could find no work connected with music and soon returned. His wife and daughter remained abroad. As a returned emigrant he was listed as "politically undesirable", a considerable obstacle in finding new music engagements. Despite this, he organised night-time jam sessions in the "poetic wine bar" Viola, founded a new band, Jazz Sanatorium with former colleagues from Jazz Studio, and helped its younger members in their careers. He also found work - occasional at first - with the Linha Singers ensemble. In 1972 the Traditional Jazz Studio invited him to record with the New Orleans clarinetist Albert Nicholas
Albert Nicholas
Albert Nicholas was an American jazz reed player.Nicholas's primary instrument was the clarinet, which he studied with Lorenzo Tio in his hometown of New Orleans. Late in the 1910s he played with Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez...
. He also performed with the American clarinetist Tony Scott
Tony Scott (musician)
Tony Scott was a jazz clarinetist known for an interest in folk music around the world...
, and prepared a TV series, Jazzový herbář (The Jazz Herbarium) with the director M. Peer. Hulan organised the "Jazz-film-forum" and "Jazz quiz" as part of his Jazz Sanatorium, using American films, recordings and literature. This was a rare event: in the "deep normalisation
Normalization (Czechoslovakia)
In the history of Czechoslovakia, normalization is a name commonly given to the period 1969 to about 1987. It was characterized by initial restoration of the conditions prevailing before the reform period led by Alexander Dubček , first of all, the firm rule of the Communist Party of...
" of Czechoslovakia, any propagation of American culture was officially undesirable. However, the Communist authorities had already confiscated his passport, so Hulan could visit the American embassy in Prague and borrow the materials for these readings and shows "without fear".
Luděk Hulan died under unhappy circumstances. He broke a rib in a stairway fall. The rib had pierced a lung, but Hulan was unaware of the nature or extent of his injury. He went to bed as usual, and died there.
The Czech Jazz Society presents an annual Luděk Hulan Award at the Slaný Jazz Days. In 1984, the prize was awarded to Eva Olmerová
Eva Olmerová
Eva Olmerová was a Czech pop and jazz singer. She is regarded as one of the greatest Czech jazz singers of all time.- Biography :...
, Hulan's regular collaborator.
Works
- Černý proud (The Black Stream)
- Duše jazzového hudebníka (The Soul of the Jazz Musician)
- Moderní žena (A Modern Woman)
- Valčík pro Charlieho Chaplina (Valse for Charlie ChaplinCharlie ChaplinSir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
)
Discography
- Jazz In My Soul (Supraphon 1965) [LP]
- Jazz kolem Karla Krautgartnera (Supraphon 1965) [LP]
- Poezie a jazz I. (Poetry and Jazz I) (1965) [LP]
- Poezie a jazz II. (Poetry and Jazz II) (1967) [LP]
- Albert's Blues - together with Traditional Jazz Studio and Albert NicholasAlbert NicholasAlbert Nicholas was an American jazz reed player.Nicholas's primary instrument was the clarinet, which he studied with Lorenzo Tio in his hometown of New Orleans. Late in the 1910s he played with Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez...
, (SupraphonSupraphonSupraphon Music Publishing is a Czech record label, it is oriented mainly towards publishing classical music, with an emphasis on Czech and Slovak composers.- History :...
1 15 1420) (1972) [LP] - Jazz Sanatorium (Mini jazz klub) (P 33 0480) (1976) [EP]
- Milá společnost (S 1 15 2309) (1977) [LP]
- Bumerang - together with Traditional Jazz Studio and Tony ScottTony ScottAnthony D. L. "Tony" Scott is an English film director. His films include Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Spy Game, Man on Fire, Déjà Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123, and Unstoppable...
, (1978) [LP] - Luděk Hulan: Blues for You (Mlt MCD 005) (1994) [CD]