Swing. Jazz. Karlovy Vary.
Big Band Karlovy Vary — swing orchestra since 1986
A swing orchestra from Karlovy Vary. Twenty musicians, two voices, and a love of jazz that has bound us together since 1986.
Gallery
Upcoming concerts
Forty years
of swing
founded
Big Band Karlovy Vary was founded in 1986 by trombonist Milan Hart, a devotee of swing dance music. He gathered around him respected musicians from the Karlovy Vary region who loved jazz and its heroes.
Since 1998 the orchestra has been led by Zdeněk Krám, who together with the musicians carried on the founder's idea — to spread music whose energy has shaped whole generations.
The orchestra's soloists are vocalist David Kleňha and singer Mirka Lendělová. The band's ambition is to play for every generation and support Czech musicianship.
Home stage
Karlovy Vary Municipal Theatre
We play here regularly — a hall whose sound and atmosphere suit the orchestra perfectly.
TicketsConcert recordings
Line-up
Leadership & soloists
Mirka Lendělová
vocals
Zdeněk Krám
bandleader · trombone
David Kleňha
vocals
Rhythm section
Karel Šimandl
piano
Pavel Horych
guitar
Jakub Smutný
bass guitar
Václav Vejvoda
drums
Saxophones
Jan Šoltész
alto sax
Antonín Týnek
alto sax
Milan Szep
tenor sax
Václav Rožec
tenor sax
Jiří Drahokoupil
baritone sax
Trombones
Pavel Truhlář
trombone
Jiří Kareš st.
trombone
Jiří Kareš ml.
trombone
Trumpets
Jaroslav Dlouhý
trumpet
Jindřich Zmrzlý
trumpet
Stanislav Bárta
trumpet
Zdeněk Havlíček
trumpet
Repertoire
Swing from the 1930s and 40s, Latin rhythms and well-known pop tunes in orchestral arrangements.
A sample of the vocal repertoire. The orchestra also plays an instrumental programme.
Frequently asked questions
Can the orchestra be booked for a private event?
Yes. Big Band Karlovy Vary plays at balls, town festivals, corporate evenings and Advent concerts. Arrange the date and terms with bandleader Zdeněk Krám by phone at +420 607 947 301 or by email.
How much does a big band performance cost?
The price depends on the length of the programme, the venue, the technical setup and the date. We'll send a specific quote on request — just write or call the bandleader.
What repertoire does the orchestra play?
The backbone of the repertoire is made up of jazz classics — Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra. Besides swing, the orchestra's repertoire also includes Latin and pop songs.
Where can you hear Big Band Karlovy Vary?
The orchestra performs mainly in the Karlovy Vary region. It plays regularly at the Karlovy Vary Municipal Theatre, in Mariánské Lázně and in Františkovy Lázně. It has also performed across the border in Bavaria.
Does the orchestra also play abroad?
Yes. The orchestra has performed across the border in Bavaria, for example in Luhe-Wildenau. The distance from Karlovy Vary to the German border is roughly forty kilometres.
How many musicians does Big Band Karlovy Vary have?
The orchestra has twenty musicians — trumpets, trombones, saxophones and the rhythm section — plus two soloists: vocalist David Kleňha and singer Mirka Lendělová.
Who leads the orchestra today?
Zdeněk Krám has led Big Band Karlovy Vary since 1998. Together with the musicians he has carried on the founder's idea — spreading swing and jazz music for every generation.
We'll play at your event
Balls, town festivals, corporate evenings, Advent concerts and spa colonnades. Depending on the venue and the occasion, we offer the full orchestra or a more intimate line-up.
No-obligation enquiryContact
We'd love to bring the swing to you too.
Zdeněk Krám
bandleader