Czechoslovak Radio Jazz Orchestra

Big band of the Czechoslovak Radio, originally established in 1960 in Prague as “Taneční orchestr Československého rozhlasu” ([a=Czechoslovak Radio Dance Orchestra], 1967–1968 also known as [a=Orchestr Karla Krautgartnera (2)]) and led by [a=Karel Krautgartner] until 1968. Having identical personnel as the latter two, this orchestra name was used for jazz recordings and releases from 1962 until 1992, usually conducted by [a=Kamil Hála].

In 1993 the orchestra’s name was changed to “[a=Big Band Radio Praha]” and eventually to “[a=Big Band Českého Rozhlasu]” (BB ČRo), still featuring [a=František Kryka] as the longest active member since 1961, and led by [a=Václav Kozel] since September 2002 until December 2012. Since January 2013 until December 2014 the new Czech Radio “resident” big band is the former [a=Gustav Brom Orchestra], presently led by [a=Vladimír Valovič] as “Rozhlasový big band Gustava Broma”.