Martin Kratochvíl
Martin Kratochvíl sitting behind keyboards, wearing a red short-sleeved shirt
Kratochvíl in 2011
Background information
Born (1946-05-22) 22 May 1946
Prague, Czechoslovakia
Genres
  • Jazz
  • jazz fusion
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • businessman
Instrument(s)Keyboards
Years active1964–present
Member ofJazz Q

Martin Kratochvíl (born 22 May 1946) is a Czech jazz / jazz fusion keyboardist and businessman born in Prague. He cofounded the Jazz Q quartet in 1964. During his career, he has performed in various countries around the world, launched his own record label, opened a recording studio, and released numerous albums both as a solo artist and with other musicians.

Career

In 1964, Kratochvíl cofounded the band Jazz Q with flautist Jiří Stivín; the group was later rounded out by guitarist Luboš Andršt and bassist Vladimír Padrůněk during their most successful era.[1] In 1970, they collaborated with the rock band Blue Effect on the fusion album Coniunctio.[2] Kratochvíl has also performed and released a number of albums with American guitarist Tony Ackerman.[3]

Being a successful musician both in Czechoslovakia and overseas, Kratochvíl saved enough money so that when the communist regime collapsed in 1989, he became a successful businessman, owner of an airport, several factories, and other ventures. The same year, he founded the record label Bonton Music.[4][5] Kratochvíl also has his own recording studio, Studio Budíkov.[6]

Personal life

Kratochvíl's first wife was Magdalena Kocábová, sister of musician and activist Michael Kocáb.[7]

Discography

with Jazz Q

  • Coniunctio with Blue Effect (1970)
  • Pozorovatelna (1973)
  • Symbiosis (1974)
  • Album, Které Nikdy Nevyšlo (1975)
  • Elegie (1976)
  • Zvěsti (1978)
  • Hodokvas (1979)
  • Hvězdoň/Asteroid 1984
  • 1974–75 live (1991)
  • The Best of Jazz Q (1995)
  • Znovu (2013)
  • Živí Se Diví: Live in Bratislava 1975 (2013)
  • Temné Slunce Original motion picture soundtrack (2014)
  • Talisman (2016)
  • Amulet (2020)

with Tony Ackerman

  • Stará Známost/Old Acquaintance (1987)
  • Spolu (1990)
  • Chiaroscuro/Šerosvit with Vojtěch Havel (1993)
  • Duolog (2001)
  • Zvukobraní (2009)
  • Cestou (2011)
  • No Jazz with Miroslav Vitouš and Joe Kučera (2014)
  • Letopis with Musa Imran Zangi (2020)
  • Znění & Snění with Jana Koubková and Joe Kučera (2020)

Solo

  • Piano Solo (2012)
  • Himalayan Echoes II. – Soundtrack K TV Seriálu České Himálajské Dobrodružství II (2014)
  • Siločáry (2017)
  • Happiness Martin Kratochvíl & Friends (2017)

Other releases

  • April Orchestra Milan Svoboda & Martin Kratochvíl (1979)
  • Tankový Prapor Original motion picture soundtrack - contributor (1991)

References

  1. ↑ "Martin Kratochvíl - Hudební hodokvas s Jazz Q" (in Czech)
  2. ↑ "Prager Gitarrist Radim Hladík verstorben" [Prague Guitarist Radim Hladík Has Passed Away]. jazzzeitung.de (in German). 6 December 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "Martin Kratochvíl, Piano and Tony Ackerman, Guitar, at Czech Center". pianyc.net. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  4. ↑ "Prague's Velvet Hangover : After Their Revolution, Czech Artists Are Up Against the Wall". Los Angeles Times. 12 May 1991. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  5. ↑ "Martin Kratochvíl - zakladatel společnosti Bonton Music" [Martin Kratochvíl - founder of Bonton Music]. ibestof.cz (in Czech). 9 July 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "Návštěva v domě s vůní exotiky" [A Visit to a House with an Exotic Scent]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 27 April 2006. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "Hudební Byznys" [Music Business]. euro.cz (in Czech). 9 September 2001. Retrieved 20 February 2021.

Martin Kratochvíl discography at Discogs

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