Josef Vejvoda 80

His work spans chamber and symphonic music, electronic and pop music, choral and salon repertoire. Josef is a jazzman with polka in his blood – his father composed the famous Beer Barrel Polka. In 1967, he won first prize in a national jazz drumming competition and has repeatedly been featured in the All Stars Band polls. He has performed with nearly all the leading figures of Czech jazz, as well as many international stars. His drumming can be heard on numerous recordings as a member of SHQ, Jazz Cellula, the Czechoslovak Radio Jazz Orchestra (JOČR), and in ensembles led by Jiří Stivín, Karel Růžička, Emil Viklický, and the Prague Super Quartet.

In 1987, Vejvoda stepped away from the Czech Radio Big Band and later returned as a guest conductor. In 1998, he formed his own trio and released a number of acclaimed albums, including A Meeting to Build a Dream On (with American trumpeter Benny Bailey), which was named Jazz Album of the Year 2001 by Czech Radio. Vejvoda’s compositions have been performed by top artists such as Josef Suk and Pavel Šporcl. He has collaborated with many symphony orchestras, and his vocal works have been sung by renowned choirs such as the Moravian Teachers’ Choir, Prague Chamber Choir, and Prague Singers.

In 2002, he conducted the Castle Guard and Czech Police Music Ensemble in a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. As a tribute to his first jazz concert with Jiří Stivín back in 1963 (with the band Jazztet), Vejvoda re-established the ensemble in 2018. The album I Remember captures two concerts held 25 years apart in Hořice – one with the Gustav Brom Big Band and one with his Jazztet – featuring exclusively his original compositions. It stands as yet another testament to the extraordinary musical journey of Josef Vejvoda, a journey that has spanned more than sixty years.

This extraordinary Prague´s jazz club is situated in the beautiful and romantic environment of old Prague, in the immediate vicinity of conservation area of Malá Strana and Kampa Island. Jazz Dock is surrounded by the unique 19th century buildings athmosphere, near Prague city center, very close to the National Theatre. Thanks to its unique location directly on the bank of the Vltava river it offers unforgettable views of Prague centre.

The high level of acoustic set up in this Prague jazz club allows live jazz music gigs until the morning hours! Often during a one single evening several jazz bands together as well as guest musicians will change on jazz club stage.

Jazz Dock has its own music concept. It´s dramaturgy is specific for its several-days concert blocks of significant Czech jazz bands and foreign bands and regular jazz festivals focused on a particular jazz genre, specific country or dominant jazz instrument.

Ten meters long Jazz Dock futuristic bar is full of traditional and proven drinks and cocktails as well as specialties and news for anyone with fantasy. Together with Jazz Dock kitchen´s delicatessen and efficient staff, Jazz Dock offers full-value enjoyment (not only) during musical production!

Jazz concerts in Jazz Dock are complemented by afternoon´s pleasant seating and refreshments during the day, and in the summer also in the beautiful surroundings of the outdoor café and on the roof of the club.

The club doesn´t have a direct wheelchair access but the club friendly staff is ready to help.