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November 23rd, 2008
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A passion for Hammonds

Ondřej Pivec brings a fresh sound to Czech jazz
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June 11th, 2008 issue

By Dominika Janigová

Photo by Standa Merhout
Pivec takes his Organic Quartet to a competition in Spain after performances at Prague Castle and United Islands.
Organic Quartet


When: Tuesday, June 17, at 8
Where: Riding School Garden, Prague Castle
Tickets: 390 Kč, available through Ticketpro and at the venue

When: Saturday, June 21, at 3:40 p.m.
Where: United Islands Festival
Tickets: Admission is free

For the Post
Harmony, dexterity and stylish energy stream through the hands of Czech organist and singer Ondřej Pivec. Although the history of American jazz and gospel is closely intertwined with Pivec’s instrument of choice, the Hammond organ, it’s rare in Czech jazz. How did Pivec come to play such an unusual instrument?
“I knew about Hammonds, but could barely dream of playing them,” he says. “I started with classical piano. When I was 18, Roman Pokorný called to see if I’d be interested in replacing his bandmate, Italian organist Alberto Marsico. I accepted, and over time realized that Hammonds fit me better than piano.”
Pivec, 24, played with Pokorný and Yvonne Sanchez’s Brazilian Groove project before starting his own band, the Organic Quartet, in 2005. For someone his age, he has an impressive résumé: 10 CDs (three as a leader, seven as a sideman), tours in Austria, England, Turkey, Finland, France, Germany and the United States, and honors that include the Czech Academy of Popular Music’s Best Jazz/Blues Album award in 2006 for Don’t Get Ideas.
Rounding out the quartet are guitarist Libor Šmoldas, saxophonist Jakub Doležal and drummer Tomáš Hobzek, all classmates from Pivec’s days at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory. There’s no bass player; Pivec handles the bass lines with his left hand and both feet on the pedals. “It’s quite common for a jazz organist to play the bass lines alongside the melodies and solos,” he says. “That’s probably why not many people play this instrument — you have to do the work of two people. In the beginning,” he adds with a laugh, “I sounded like a very bad bass player playing with a very tired keyboardist.”
The Organic Quartet plays music inspired by the roots of jazz and hard bop, mixed with modern forms and sounds. Most of their repertoire is their own music, a playful outburst of energy, speed and harmony inspired by both classic and modern jazz, along with an eclectic mix of other styles.
“Since I was 12, I’ve been very lucky to have access to great old jazz records by Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis and many others,” says Pivec. “That influenced me a lot. Today I love Joshua Redman’s Elastic Band and the trio recordings of Brad Mehldau. Besides that, I also like to listen to Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder and even Michael Jackson. The music we do is inspired by all of that.”
Drummer Hobzek describes the band this way: “Our quartet is just what it should be, characterized by the distinctive sound of Ondřej’s Hammonds, not trying styles that don’t fit, playing with certainty, free hearts and no pretense. During our concerts, Ondřej is an inexhaustible source of energy, with well-developed rhythmical feelings, ingeniousness and a great sense of humor.”
Pivec’s most recent CD, aptly named Overseason, was recorded, by chance, in New York City last year. There he and Hobzek met guitarist Jake Langley, who has been garnering international attention the past four years touring as part of the Joey DeFrancesco Trio, and saxophonist Joel Frahm, who has released four of his own albums and worked with world-class players such as Mehldau, Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid and Lee Konitz. Hands were shaken, an agreement reached, and within days the new CD was born.
“It was great to work with people willing to do things not for profit, but because they thought those things should be done,” says Pivec. “I loved the energy and atmosphere in the studio — we had great musicians, and the sound guy brought some wine and made pasta. It was a very nice and relaxed day.” The finished product features four new compositions by Pivec, one each by Hobzek and Langley, and two jazz classics.
Looking ahead, Pivec is planning to start a new electric band with trumpeter Mirek Hloucal, and hopefully pursue further jazz studies. His dream is to study at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, though he has yet to find a sponsor. Why head back to the Big Apple? “Those few months I spent there last year were extremely inspiring — I’d love to go back,” he says. “There is nothing better than getting yourself among people with the same passion.”
The Organic Quartet is also preparing to go on the summer circuit, starting with performances at Prague Castle next week and United Islands the following weekend.
“We’re really looking forward to playing at United Islands, an open-air event with a great atmosphere,” Pivec says. “We will be playing mostly pieces from Overseason. And this summer will be very exciting for us, since we’re traveling a lot. What I’m really excited about is a jazz competition in Spain, where they chose just four bands out of 50. The winner gets a financial award and a CD release, and a chance to play again the last night on the main stage. We’re also heading to Greece, Bulgaria and Italy.”
And, local fans hope, soon to Prague jazz clubs.
Dominika Janigová can be reached at features@praguepost.com


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