Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra (Czech: Originální Pražský Synkopický Orchestr or OPSO) is a Czech jazz band first formed in Prague
, in what was then Czechoslovakia
, in 1974. It is best known for painstaking reconstructions of performances of music of the 1920s, using authentic instruments, and improvisation in the style of the time.
The initial line-up in 1974 was a five-man band (three wind instruments, piano and banjo) under the artistic direction of musicologist Pavel Klikar. Three more members joined in 1976: a second saxophone, a violin, and vocalist Ondřej Havelka
. In May 1978 the band came to European prominence playing at the Festival of Old Jazz in Breda
, the Netherlands. That autumn the band expanded to twelve members.
During the 1980s, the ensemble's live concerts regularly featured lyrics in English, but broadcast performances did not.
In 1995 the band split, with Havelka founding a rival group that eventually adopted the name Ondřej Havelka and his Melody Makers
.
The Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra continues to perform, and is well known for open-air performances on the Charles Bridge
in Prague.
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, in what was then 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...
, in 1974. It is best known for painstaking reconstructions of performances of music of the 1920s, using authentic instruments, and improvisation in the style of the time.
The initial line-up in 1974 was a five-man band (three wind instruments, piano and banjo) under the artistic direction of musicologist Pavel Klikar. Three more members joined in 1976: a second saxophone, a violin, and vocalist 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...
. In May 1978 the band came to European prominence playing at the Festival of Old Jazz in Breda
Breda
Breda is a municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. The name Breda derived from brede Aa and refers to the confluence of the rivers Mark and Aa. As a fortified city, the city was of strategic military and political significance...
, the Netherlands. That autumn the band expanded to twelve members.
During the 1980s, the ensemble's live concerts regularly featured lyrics in English, but broadcast performances did not.
In 1995 the band split, with Havelka founding a rival group that eventually adopted the name Ondřej Havelka and his Melody Makers
Ondřej Havelka and his Melody Makers
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...
.
The Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra continues to perform, and is well known for open-air performances on the Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is a famous historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century...
in Prague.
Discography
- Originální Pražský Synkopický Orchestr (1976, SP Panton)
- Ragtime - 2 skladby na LP (1977, LP Supraphon)
- Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra at Breda Jazz Festival (1979, LP Jazz Crooner, Holland)
- Originální Pražský Synkopický Orchestr (1979, LP Supraphon & WAM – Germany)
- Srdce Mé Odešlo Za Tebou - 2 skladby (1980, SP Panton)
- Stará Natoč Gramofon (1982, LP Panton + reed. CD)
- Jazz & Hot Dance Music 1923 - 31 (1984, LP Panton + reed. CD)
- Sám s Děvčetem v Dešti (1989, LP Panton + reed. CD)
- Hello Baby (1994, CD EMI – Monitor)
- Walking and Swinging (1996, CD EMI – Monitor)
- Blues pro Tebe (1998, CD EMI – Monitor)
- Goin' Crazy with The Blues (2002, CD BWS)
- Sweet Like This (2006, CD BWS)