There are only two guitar players in the whole world who play jazz so exceptionally using two-handed tapping. One is Stanley Jordan, in the USA, and the other, born in Rijeka (Fiume), Croatia, is Darko Jurkovič.
František Uhlíř, one of the best double-bassist on the Continent, together with the guitarist Darko Jurkovič and the drummer Jaromír Helešic, has formed a Trio, currently one of the best you will hear in Europe.
THE TOUR – SPRING 2009
4.3. A – Wien – Sandras Salon 19.30 www.sandras-salon.com
5.3. CZ – Hodonin – Masarykovo Muzeum 19.00 www.masaryk.info
6.3. A – Fehring – Gerberhaus 20.00 www.fehring.at
7.3. A – Krems – Jazzclub That's Jazz 20.00 www.thatsjazz.at
8.3. CZ – Brno – Alterna 20.00 www.alterna.cz
9.3. CZ – Jihlava – Jazzclub HDJ 19.30 www.hdj.cz
10.3. D – Burghausen-Knoxoleum 20.30 www.knoxoleum.de
11.3. D – Freiburg – E-Werk www.ewerk-freiburg.de
12.3. CH – Basel – Bird’s Eye 20.30 www.birdseye.ch
13.3. D – Lörrach – Jazzclub 56 20.30 www.jazztone.de
14.3. CH – Lausanne – Jazzclub Chorus 21.00 www.chorus.ch
15.3. CH – Uster – Musikcontainer 11.00 www.jazzorama.ch
15.3. D – Schorndorf – Jazzclub Session‘88 20.00 www.kulturforum-schorndorf.de
18.3. CH – Sils/Maria – Hotel Waldhaus 21.00 www.waldhaus-sils.ch
19.3. CH – Dübendorf – Jazz in Dübendorf 20.30 www.jazzinduebi.ch
The band includes Jaromír Helešic on drums and Darko Jurkovič, one of the few guitarists who plays the instrument by tapping it with the fingers of both hands. The video was made in the historic Knoxoleum in Burghausen, Germany. This is an opportunity for those of us outside Europe to withess in action one of the world's great bassists, František Uhlíř and an intriguing guitarist whose easy execution belies the intensity of his music. Click here for their performance of "Maybe Later."
REVIEWS:
Bassist František Uhlíř, drummer Jaromir Helešic and guitarist Darko Jurković made a strong impact with Jazz at Prague Castle 2006 (Multisonic, 2006). They return to entice and lure with another tidy bag of tunes of which seven are originals and two are standards. While all the originals sit compactly in the mainstream, the trio finds its muse and inspiration in various strands that include swing and some fertile bop. Their impeccable sense of time and cohesive improvisation gives the album a nice balance and shows how comfortable the trio is in getting the music to spring alive and communicate with the listener.
Each member contributes to the success of the band. Uhlíř has a lissome sense of timing. His pliancy not only lets a tune breathe, it gives the other musicians the room to rove and find that empathic chord. Jurković uses the two-handed tapping technique to play the guitar. That in itself would be par for the course, but it is his creativity that extends the parameters and illuminates his skills. His notes are radiant and uncluttered, and he swings with ease. Helešic's drumming is tasteful. He is never intrusive, but he propels the rhythm and gives the music its undertow and drive.
The trio gets off to a swinging start with “Maybe Later.” Jurković leads the charge—his notes juicy and thick, falling in a rainbow of colors. He makes it all the more telling with empathic notes that stamp the groove. Uhlíř rumbles under the line, keeping his intonation deep but blessing it with pliancy. In doing so he shades the contrasting approach of Helešic, who uses the crisp intonation of the cymbals and percussion to keep the bottom line prancing.
Uhlíř anchors “Waltz for Sunny” with his resonant bowing. It is a well constructed tune with a becoming melody that inspires Jurković to improvise within its frame. Helešic rings it up with his brisk accents.
The group turns to bop on “Blues for Franta,” where Jurković's instinct and drive are sure. He elevates the tune as he leaps into interesting alleys and comes up with a rich lore of motifs. The mood turns mellow for “I Married an Angel.” The standard is given its due with a sympathetic reading that does not undermine its soul and pulse.
Eloquence underwrites the music and fills it with radiance.
by Jerry D'Souza / ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Bassist Frantisek Uhlir is probably best known in the UK for his work in pianist Emil Viklicky's trio, but on this album he leads a trio completed by Croatian guitarist Darko Jurkovic and drummer Jaromir Helesic.
Over Uhlir's characteristically lithe and flexible, but sonorous bass, Jurkovic (like Stanley Jordan) concentrates on the 'hammering on' technique rather than the more conventional plucking or strumming, and the result is a fleet, neat guitar sound particularly well suited to the refreshingly straightahead approach the trio favours.
In addition to compelling but sensitive visits to standards such as Hayman/Young's 'Love Letters' and Rodgers and Hart's 'I Married an Angel', there are seven in-band originals from either the bassist or guitarist, and the result is a thoroughly unpretentious but absorbing and wholly entertaining album packed with unfussy subtleties and unshowy felicities, at once thoughtful and brisk, robust and musicianly.
by Chris Parker / THE VORTEX
František Uhlíř, Maybe Later (Arta). Three months ago, I wrote that I was looking forward to a new CD by this Czech virtuoso of the double bass. It finally arrived. In addition to his long association with pianist Emil Viklický, Uhlíř leads his own trio. He is brilliant in interaction with the unusual guitarist Darko Jurkovic and drummer Jaromir Helesic and establishes yet again that he is one of the masters of his instrument. This may be hard to find outside of Europe. It is worth a search.
by Doug Ramsey for "Jazz and other matters..." / ARTSJOURNAL.COM
