Felix Slováček, saxophone

Felix SlováčekFoto: Materiály SOČR

Felix Slováček (born 1943) graduated from Kroměříž Music Conservatory in clarinet, piano, double bass, percussion instruments and conducting. After that, he continued his clarinet, conducting and composition studies at Brno-based Janáček Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts. In 1968 he took up a position with the Armed Forces Symphony Orchestra, at the same time performing with leading big bands of that period. Between 1969 and 1985 he performed as a soloist with Karel Gott as well as giving his own recitals. Since 1985 he has been Chief Conductor of Czechoslovak Radio Dance Orchestra, renamed Big Band Radio Prague after 1989, later Czech Radio Big Band (2000), and Felix Slováček Big Band.

As a soloist in classical repertoire, Felix Slováček performed, among others, with the following ensembles: Prague Symphony, Slovak, Moravian and Janáček Philharmonic Orchestras, Bohuslav Martinů Chamber Orchestra, Janáček and Czech Chamber Orchestras, Josef Suk Chamber Orchestra, Foerster Trio, Kocian Quartet, European Community Chamber Orchestra in London, London Mozart Players, Singapore Symphony, Dresden Philharmonic orchestra, and Hesse Radio symphony. 

His vast discography includes domestic releases such as LP Jazz Concertos (1972), Felix Slováček I.-V. (1974-80), The Velvet Sound of Felix Slováček (1982), Fascinating Rhythm (1984), The Infinite Love (1985), Dance, Why Dance (1986), Meditation (1987), Beethoven Trio, op. 11, Quintet for Soprano-Saxophone & String Quartet Guernica by Alexej Fried, Concerto for Alto-Saxophone & Orchestra by Glazunov. His rich library of CD releases includes For Lovers (1993), Classic Essential (1994), Saxo (1996), F. Slováček and His Beatles (1996), 20x Felix Slováček (1997), F. Slováček Big Band - Happy Go Lucky (1998), Con Amore (1998), Love Songs - L. Kerndl + F. Slováček Big Band (2002), Swing Collection - K. Gott + F. Slováček Big Band (2002), Gold - Felix Slováček (2003), The Gold Saxophone (2004), American Dream - F. Slováček, K. Brožová, L. Kerndl + F. Slováček Big Band (2004), Christmas Dream - F. Slováček, K. Brožová, L. Kerndl + F. Slováček Big Band (2005), Swingtime W. A. Mozart (2006), Made in Czecho Slováček (2008). Many other recordings were made on foreign labels. 

Music reviewers have repeated in rare unison that Felix Slováček is a prominent soloist, endowed with perfect technique, remarkable tone balance and expansive dynamic register, which allows richly ornamented melodic rendering anchored in unprecedented wind-management technique.