Monday Recommendation, Emil Viklicky, Humoresque (NCML)
Last spring Czech pianist Emil Viklický’ traveled from Prague to visit relatives in the American Midwest. Never one to forego a playing opportunity, while he was there he gave a concert at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, one of several he has performed there for enthusiastic partisan audiences. With Viklický was bassist Petr Dvorský, a prominent member of the Czech jazz community since his 1990 graduation from Jeroslav Jezek’s jazz conservatory in Prague. Drummer Ernie Adams is a veteran of work with dozens of major musicians—among them Clark Terry, Joe Williams, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Williams Benny Golson and Phil Woods. In Cedar Rapids, Viklický followed his customary practice of including interpretations of traditional Czech music. His extended arrangement of “Love, Oh Love†is a highlight of the concert. The concert is a highlight of his discography.