Dubbed the “Godfather of Czech Jazz” and described as “one of the best contemporary pianists,” Emil is a highly accomplished and sought-after jazz pianist and composer based in his native Czechia. He has performed with many greats, including Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Nicola Benedetti, Benny Bailey, Oscar Peterson’s bassist George Mraz, and Billy Hart, to name a few.
Viklický was born in Olomouc. He graduated from Palacký University in 1971 with a degree in mathematics. As a student, he devoted a lot of time to playing jazz piano, and in 1974, he was awarded the prize for best soloist at the Czechoslovak Amateur Jazz Festival. The same year, he joined Karel Velebný’s SHQ ensemble. In 1976, he was a prizewinner at a jazz improvisation competition in Lyon, and his composition “Green Satin” (Czech: Zeleny saten) won first prize in a music conservatory competition in Monaco. In 1985, his composition “Cacharel” won second prize in the same competition.
He has led his own ensembles (primarily quartets and quintets), composed and arranged, and—after the death of Karel Velebný—worked as director of the Summer Jazz Workshops in Frýdlant. He has lectured at a similar workshop event in Glamorgan, Wales. Between 1991 and 1995, Viklický was President of the Czech Jazz Society, and since 1994, he has worked with the Ad lib Moravia ensemble, whose performances combine elements of Moravian folk music, modern jazz, and contemporary serious music. In 1996, the ensemble went on a concert tour of Mexico and the United States.
Vocalist Imogen Ryall is back with her second album with Rubicon Classics. After her successful album ‘Imogen Ryall sings the Charles Mingus/Joni Mitchell Songbook’, Imogen is now joined by renowned Czech composer & pianist Emil Viklický.
17 Leeward Quay
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN23 5UD
United Kingdom
+44 (0)7703 20 20 23
