Today we’d like to introduce you to Pavel Jany.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started performing in the early 1970’s as a progressive rock musician in the Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia), but I was increasingly interested in international jazz/fusion and I started studying classical guitar. After receiving my degree in classical guitar I became an educator, and at the end of 1980’s I moved to Libreville – the capital city of Gabon (West Africa) where I was teaching at the National Conservatory of Music. In the early 1990’s I was offered the teaching position at L’Ecole de la Musique in Marseille (France) where I was teaching the summer music camp, but I decided to move with my family to the United States. Since the late 1990’s I’ve been working as a musician and educator in the Twin Cities. I founded several international jazz projects on the Twin Cities’ music scene, including Brazilian jazz ensemble “Ticket To Brasil”, instrumental trio “Talking Strings”, and jazz/fusion group “Global Jazz Collegium”. I am also a co-founder of “Duo CORDA” and I occasionally perform and record with other local and international artists. I recorded and produced seven albums, and in addition to performing I teach at K&S Conservatory of Music in St Paul/Woodbury.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not always. After moving to the United States, to continue with my music career was not easy. It took me many years to establish myself on the local music scene, and during that time I was working a number of so-called day jobs to support myself and my family. But I did manage. And now I am grateful and feel blessed that my musical career is going well and that I have a chance to work with so many wonderful artists here in the Twin Cities.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I started as a rock musician, but I am classically trained. And more importantly, I was always interested and influenced by international music. My backgrounds were enriched by influences from East European Romani music of my native Czechoslovakia, to the works of many international jazz/fusion musicians, and also many Brazilian guitar masters. And my three year stay in West Africa and my travels to Brazil and other South American countries deepened my interest in Afro-Brazilian and Latin music. I guess that it was this exposure to other cultures and to other musical genres that shaped me to who I am today as an artist and as a composer. I am most proud of my original compositions, and of the works and recordings we’ve done with my jazz/fusion group “Global Jazz Collegium” and with cellist Jacqueline Ultan and our “Duo CORDA”.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I enjoy living in the Twin Cities. I like that it offers big-city amenities without being a massive and chaotic sprawled out city. Access to nature is quite incredible, many nice lakes and great parks, lots of green, I love that. There are many biking or kayaking opportunities right here in town. And I am a winter person, so I don’t complain too much about harsh winters.
Arts and culture scene has a lot to offer. The music scene is quite vibrant, lots of great musicians from all genres live and work here. But I have to say that when it comes to the jazz and international music scene, the opportunities for local musicians to perform used to be better some years ago. It’s too bad that we’ve lost a few great clubs and other music venues in recent years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pjanymusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paveljanymusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjanymusic/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/0QSecG2AbOU
- Other: https://paveljanyglobaljazzcollegium.hearnow.com/labyrinth
