Cotatcha Orchestra – Bigbandová elektronika / Bigband Electronics (Big Round records, 2020)
Bigbandová elektronika / Bigband Electronics presents the innovative Czech Cotatcha Orchestra from Brno. The large ensemble originally played classic big band jazz, but in recent times, it has moved towards original material (primarily by pianist Martin Konvička) and incorporated electronic music sounds.
Overall, the sound of Cotatcha Orchestra is still pretty much acoustic, delivering exquisitely-crafted orchestral jazz with echoes of Lyle Mays (Pat Metheny) on the piano side. The electronics are present in the form of otherworldly ambient sounds and subtle electronic beats. It is certainly not electronic dance music. The electronics are just one more instrument that creates mesmerizing atmospheres.
Bigbandová elektronika / Bigband Electronics features stellar solo performances by trumpeter Jirí Kotaca, pianist Martin Konvička and several other musicians involved.
The Cotatcha Orchestra is the brainchild of trumpeter and bandleader Jirí Kotaca. It includes musicians from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary mostly associated with the Department of Jazz Interpretation at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno.
The lineup on the album includes Jiří Kotača on solo trumpet; composer Martin Konvička on piano; Marek Kotača on alto and soprano sax, clarinet; Radek Zapadlo on alto sax and clarinet; Petr Smékal on tenor sax and clarinet; Ivan Podhola on tenor sax, flute and clarinet; Radim Hanousek on baritone sax and bass clarinet; Matthias Zeindlhofer on trombone; Jan Galia on trombone; Ivan Melin on trombone; Michal Motýl on bass trombone; Ádam Gráf on lead trumpet; Jan Kozelek on trumpet; Jan Přibil on trumpet; Kamil Slezák on drums; and Peter Korman on double bass.
The orchestra was conducted by Juraj Valenčík. Special guests: Lenka Dusilová on vocals and Ilja Reijngoud (Netherlands) on trombone.