The Sound of Freedom, Adapted from Skvorecky

In his youth, Czech novelist Josef Skvorecky was an ardent jazz musician, but playing music from America was a dangerous proposition. However, when bassist Herbert Ward temporarily defected, Skvorecky and his bandmates capitalized (so to speak) on Ward’s “anti-imperialist” credentials to openly play their music. James Bulwer is transparently based on Ward, but Danny Smiricky’s friends will not enjoy much protection from their association with him in Andrea Sedlackova’s The Sound of Freedom, based on Skvorecky’s “Little Mata Hari of Prague,” which airs on the Euro Channel.

Of his band, Smiricky was always the least interested in politics. Nevertheless, he always carried guilt over the misfortunes suffered by his bandmates and their social circle. Frankly, he never really understood why he was spared the worst of it, because guilt and innocence were meaningless under Communism. He might have an opportunity to discover why, when Kunovsky, a former secret policeman, offers to sell him his long-lost file.

Back then (predating the Prague Spring), Smiricky just wanted to play and maybe pursue a relationship with Geraldine Brandejsova. She would be bad news anyway, since her mother is British. To make matters worse, Brandejsova has a friend in the American embassy, for whom she acts as a go-between with an activist priest. Kunovsky and his slimy boss have been assigned to build a case against Smiricky’s band. Unfortunately, their vocalist Marcela Razumowska is the obvious weak point for them to pressure. She tries to protect her friends, even breaking up with Richard Kambala, the trombonist-leader, but the life of her imprisoned brother depends on her providing incriminating evidence.

Although Sound of Freedom was produced for Czech television, it is remarkably mature and achingly tragic. It also has a nice swing-era-appropriate soundtrack that includes a number of arrangements by the great Emil Viklicky. There is also a laughably strident propaganda blues for Bulwer, very much like those Ward warbled, while backed by Skvorecky.

Prague Blogging: Pokorný at Dinitz

Náměstí Republiky was formerly a sketchy area of Prague, but is now an up-and-coming nabe thanks to the new Palladium mall. It is also home to Dinitz, a relatively new jazz venue, which hosted jazz guitarist Roman Pokorný last Tuesday. Pokorný was one artist I wanted to catch while I was in Prague. After recording some pretty groovy, straight ahead releases, his recent CDs have been more fusion influenced. However, his set last week at Dinitz was an earthy, stripped down blues session (though billed as a duo, including Pokorný, it was actually a trio).

Pokorný kept things loose, leading his rhythm section through some legit blues standards like “Stormy Monday,” “The Thrill is Gone,” and “Sweet Home Chicago.” His relaxed English vocals were pleasing enough, and he showed a natural affinity for old school blues guitar. He even threw in a bluegrass interlude for fun.

Besides myself and the people I dragged there, Pokorný had a decent sized following at Dinitz. He is interesting to follow, as he continues to branch out in different directions. The simple approach of his blues trio is in fact more satisfying to my ear than his fusion combos heard on his recent Hot Jazz News and Two Faces: Blues Box Heroes, but are both still recommended (Faces in particular features a lovely guest vocal turn from Yvonne Sanchez on “Magic Night”). Frankly though, I’m still most partial to his greasier soul-jazz fare, like “Smoking at the Little Castle” and “Grunt Groove” heard on Arta’s Trio ’03. Coincidently, if you happen to be in Prague, you can catch them at Dinitz again tonight.

There is no cover and the food is pretty good. The American-style burger is decent, but because they overly slather both sides in mayo, it keeps sliding out of the bun (what other music blog gives you inside dope like this?). We returned the next night to hear the Mario Illes Trio, a Hot Club style string combo. The Illes Trio is not as established on the Prague scene, but their sets were certainly enjoyable. Dinitz seems to book an interesting mix of established and emerging Czech musicians, and its drink prices are pretty reasonable. Check it out next time you’re in Prague 1.