Ondřej Havelka and his Melody Makers
Encyclopedia
Ondřej Havelka and his Melody Makers or simply The Melody Makers, is a Czech retro-band, playing American "jazz standards" and Central European jazz and swing music of the 1920s and 1930s. Carefully studied renditions of the original recordings are interspersed with solos improvised in a style authentic to the period. They are one of very few European big band
formations in continual existence over more than a decade, and have been a considerable presence on the swing scene of post-Communist Central Europe
.
split in 1995, actor and singer Ondřej Havelka
with his colleague Karel Majer leaving to form their own ensemble, with Havelka as artistic director and lead vocalist
, and Majer initially as bandleader
but leaving after a year. This group eventually adopted the name "Melody Makers".
In recent years the group has performed a number of songs best known from Ella Fitzgerald
's recordings, with Gypsy singer Věra Gondolánová as guest vocalist.
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
formations in continual existence over more than a decade, and have been a considerable presence on the swing scene of post-Communist Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
.
History
The Original Prague Syncopated OrchestraOriginal Prague Syncopated Orchestra
The Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra is a Czech jazz band first formed in Prague, in what was then Czechoslovakia, in 1974...
split in 1995, actor and singer Ondřej Havelka
Ondřej Havelka
Ondřej Havelka is a Czech jazz and swing singer, an actor and director.-Career:Havelka has been the lead vocalist for the Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra and for Ondřej Havelka and his Melody Makers , and has directed and appeared in musicals and award-winning music videos.-Awards:In 1995...
with his colleague Karel Majer leaving to form their own ensemble, with Havelka as artistic director and lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, and Majer initially as bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
but leaving after a year. This group eventually adopted the name "Melody Makers".
In recent years the group has performed a number of songs best known from Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
's recordings, with Gypsy singer Věra Gondolánová as guest vocalist.
Major concerts
- A Tribute to George GershwinGeorge GershwinGeorge Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
(1998) - Just for this Single Day (1999)
- The Story of Jazz (2000)
- Memories of Stardust (2001)
- Blues in My Heart (2002)
- Sweet and Burning (Dedicated to Bing CrosbyBing CrosbyHarry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
) (2003) - Echoes of Overseas Songs (2004)
- Ondřej Havelka and His Melody Makers in a Programme of Songs by Jaroslav JežekJaroslav JežekJaroslav Ježek was a Czech composer, pianist and conductor, author of jazz, classical, incidental and film music.- Life :...
and the VoskovecJirí VoskovecJiří Voskovec was a Czech-American actor, playwright, dramatist, director, translator, and poet...
and WerichJan WerichJan Werich was a Czech actor, playwright and writer.-Life:Between 1916 to 1924 he attended "reálné gymnasium" in Křemencová Street in Prague...
Duo (2005) - Something Old again and yet a Brand New Thing (2007)
CD
- Ondřej Havelka uvádí The Swings (1995, Monitor/EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
) - Mě to tady nebaví (1998, Monitor/EMI)
- Jen pro ten dnešní den (1999, Monitor/EMI)
- Rhapsody In Blue: Pocta George Gershwinovi (1999, Monitor/EMI)
- Swing It (2000, V.O.X. Music GmbH)
- Vzpomínky na hvězdný prach (2002, Hot Jazz)
- Nejlepší kusy z repertoiru Ondřeje Havelky a jeho Melody Makers (2003, Monitor/EMI)
- Tentokrát zcela Rozvrkočení / This Time Completely off their Noodles (2005, Hot Jazz)
- Ondřej Havelka a jeho Melody Makers vám přejí veselé vánoce. Bílé a oranžové (2005)
- Rhapsody In Blue Room (2007)