Czechoslovak Radio Jazz Orchestra

Czechoslovak Radio Jazz Orchestra

Big band of the Czechoslovak Radio, originally established in 1960 in Prague as “Taneční orchestr Československého rozhlasu” (Czechoslovak Radio Dance Orchestra, 1967–1968 also known as Orchestr Karla Krautgartnera) and led by Karel Krautgartner until 1968. Having identical personnel as the latter two, this orchestra name was used for jazz recordings and releases from 1962 until 1992, usually conducted by Kamil Hála.

In 1993 the orchestra’s name was changed to “Big Band Radio Praha” and eventually to “Big Band Českého Rozhlasu” (BB ČRo), still featuring František Kryka as the longest active member since 1961, and led by Václav Kozel since September 2002 until December 2012. Since January 2013 until December 2014 the new Czech Radio “resident” big band is the former Gustav Brom Orchestra, presently led by Vladimír Valovič as “Rozhlasový big band Gustava Broma”.

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