Some time ago, I wrote on Rifftides, “The Czech Frantisek Uhliř is one of the greatest bassists in the world. He works frequently in the trio of his countryman pianist Emil Viklicky, another great European player about whom most Americans know little. I just ran across a brief note I made when I was in Prague twelve years ago (now, more like 25 years ago), helping American economists teach market economics to Czech journalists newly released from communism.”
June 10, 1993: Went to Agartha last night to hear Frantisek Uhlir, the wonderful bassist. Earlier in the day one of his fans told me he is better than George Mraz. Maybe, maybe not, but he is superb, world class. Uhlir is a short, powerful, chubby man with a pleasant round face. His tone is round, too, and centered, and he is fast, agile and swinging.
There is nothing about Uhliř’s new album, Story of my life, to alter that assessment. Leading his septet, he is as powerful as when I first heard him in Prague with Viklicky at the storied club called Agartha. In a recent video, we are treated to Uhliř leading his seven-piece ensemble at another fine Prague club, Reduta. At the end of the long clip, we’ll give you the names of the players.
František Tomšíček, trumpet; Přemek Tomšíček, trombone; Andy Schofield, alto saxophone (UK); Suzanne Higins, tenor saxophone (UK); Standa Mácha, piano; Marek Urbánek, drums; Frantisek Uhliř, bassist and leader.
Thank you for this wonderful jazz concert.
Very enjoyable indeed. Mr Uhlif’s playing calls to mind the late Red Mitchell (who undoubtedly inspired a whole raft of bass players), and Frantisek’s fellow countrymen – especially trombonist, Přemek Tomšíček – give a superb account of themselves. Indeed, it’s fair to say – though perhaps I shouldn’t – that there isn’t a dud Czech among them – which will now probably qualify as the worst pun of the year.
Thank you for bringing Frantisek Uhliř to my attention. This post has led me, via Amazon Music Unlimited, to Emil Viklicky, and from there to Scott Robinson, and now Frank Kimbrough’s Thelonious Monk set with Scott R.
All this via Amazon Music Unlimited, a huge collection of almost any and every (is there a difference?) recording I can think of, and more I never thought of. I had never heard of Frantisek Uhliř, but when I searched his name in Amazon Music Unlimited, there were at least 6 recordings I could stream. Viklicky’s name was there. When I clicked on it, many of his recordings, available to stream, appeared. One was Scott R.’s Summertime recording with Emil Viklicky’s trio. Then, searching Scott Robinson’s name, another flock of recordings appears, and I see Frank Kimbrough’s Thelonious Monk project, on which Scott Robinson’s versatile virtuosity shines.
I have often read in Rifftides about artists unknown to me. I’ve purchased many recordings as a result. Maybe too many. You understand the organization and storage challenge of keeping lots of recordings. I haven’t learned yet what I might not like about Amazon Music Unlimited. (I assume the artists get paid when I listen.) What I do know is that for about the cost of 1 CD per month, I can pursue my curiosity far and wide and deep.