NEW CD/LP D.BÁRTA & ILLUSTRATOSPHERE

2020

Illustratosphere:
Dan Bárta - zpěv
Filip Jelínek - keyboard
Miroslav Chyška – guitar
Robert Balzar - electric and acoustic bass
Martin Valihora - drums

Album
KRÁSKA A ZVÍŘENÝ PRACH:
Warner Music Czech Republic s.r.o.

01 – JEJICH DÉŠT
(F.Jelínek,D.Bárta/D.Bárta)

02 - KRÁSKA A ZVÍŘENÝ PRACH
(R.Balzar, D.Bárta/D.Bárta)

03 – JAKO PÓLY
(D.Bárta, M.Chyška, F.Jelínek/D.Bárta)

04 – ČESKÉ PROBUZENÍ
(D.Bárta, F.Jelínek , M.Chyška/D.Bárta)

05 - #HETOO
( D.Bárta, F.Jelínek , M.Chyška, M.Valihora/D.Bárta)

06 – HAIFA HAIDRESSER
( D.Bárta,, M.Chyška, F.Jelínek /D.Bárta, a.Plívová)

07 – HAPPY GINGER
( D.Bárta, F.Jelínek , M.Chyška/A.Plívová)

08 – HRDINA NÁŠHO ČASU
( F.Jelínek,D.Bárta/D.Bárta)

09 – MÁ NĚMÁ TVÁŘ
( F.Jelínek,D.Bárta/D.Bárta)

10 – NAHÁ TMA
(D.Bárta, M.Chyška, F.Jelínek,/D.Bárta)

11 – NEŽ O PŮL TON VÝŠ VYLETÍM
( D.Bárta, F.Jelínek , M.Chyška, R.Balzar, M.Valihora/D.Bárta)

12 – OBLAKA DOBRA II
(F.Jelínek, D.Bárta/D.Bárta)

13 – ECHOES OF THE EGOES OF THE HEROES
(F.Jelínek, D.Bárta/D.Bárta)

sample from the new album Download Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Apple Music
Shop Magic Disk Musick
Shop Bontonland
Shop Supraphonline

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December 28 2019

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020

Friends, although I am not much of a typist, I had to share this ... (I hadn't the time to do so earlier). Every autumn, it's always busy for me with a lot of playing ... in this October alone I played 26 concerts in a row, but one of those was a "concert of concerts" About a half-year ago I was asked to play a concert with the great American jazz singer Kurt Elling and the South Bohemian Philharmonic. I even was initially asked to put together a band for Kurt, but after two weeks they wrote that they will bring a pianist, then they wrote that they also had a drummer. In the end I only asked saxophonist Osian Roberts and the band was complete. I have to say that Kurt Elling has long been one of my biggest favorites; I actually grew up on him. At that time he was, along with new names like Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, and Josuha Redman, an integral part of my musical life. I have, and I know, all his records and recordings. Kurt had a great band that included Rob Amster on double bass (great bassist!), who unfortunately left too soon. For many years I had their duo from the record "Nightmoves" in my head, so I thought to myself, when other than now? On the night before the rehearsal, I transcribed the bass part from that piece. The next day at rehearsal I snuck in the riff from this song. Kurt caught it right away and said, "Great, we will do that!" We the rehearsed with the philharmonic and didn't want to delay the whole orchestra, so the next day there was only soundcheck, then the main rehearsal so we skipped this duo piece. After the rehearsal Kurt asks me to take the bass and come to the dressing room. Here is a present for you, a dressing room-rehearsal with the best jazz singer on the planet Kurt Elling! I always knew that he's a great singer, but this was absolutely at the highest level!!
Thanks Kurt!
MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!
Robert

Kurt Elling & R.Balzar Duo - The Waking - In Memoriam Rob Amster

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July 16 2019

New RBT

Vít Křišťan p,Robert Balzar b,Kamil Slezák dr

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1.12. Uherský Brod
2.12. Kroměříž
3.12. Olomouc
4.12. Jeseník
5.12. Martin
6.12. Nové Mesto n/V
7.12. Valmez
8.12. Karlovy Vary
9.12. Hostivice
10.12. Hořovice
11.12 Bílina
12.12. Liberec
13.12. Valtice
14.12. Litomyšl
19.12. Brno

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autumn / winter 2018

NOVEMBER:
20. RBT - Příbram
21. RBT - Praha - Agharta
24. D.Bárta & RBT - Český Těšín
25. RBT - Brno - Alterna
26. RBT - Ždár n/S - Jazzmine
27. RBT - Vyškov - Besední dům
28. RBT - Boskovice - Zámecký skleník
DECEMBER:
20. RBT - Praha - U malého Glena
21. RBT - Praha - Agharta

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A sample of our DVD that we recorded during one day in the forest near Polička (Czech Republic). Check it out:

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We are just preapering new album RBT with Dan Bárta. Check it out:

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autumn / winter 2016

SEPTEMBER:
23. RBT - Praha 15h - Bass Europe 2016 23. RBT - Praha - U malého Glena
25. RBT - Brno - Alterna
27. RBT - Ostrava - Parník
28. RBT - Košice (SK) Medzinárodný Jazzový Festival
29. RBT - Nové Mesto n/V (SK) - Blue Note
30. RBT - Pieštany (SK)

OCTOBER:
1. D.Bárta & RBT Praha - Rudolfínum - Dvořákova síň
13. RBT - Praha - U malého Glena
14. RBT - Hořovice
28. RBT - Blatná (workshop+koncert)
Simandl competition

NOVEMBER:
2. RBT - Prague - Jazz Dock
8. R.Balzar workshop - Martin (SK)
9. D.Bárta & RBT - Martin (SK)
18. RBT - Prague - U malého Glena
21. RBT - Praha Agharta
28. D.Bárta & RBT - Bratislava (SK)
29. D.Bárta & RBT - Donovaly (SK)
30. D.Bárta & RBT - Žilina (SK)

DECEMBER:
8. RBT - Praha Agharta
10. D.Bárta & RBT - Ostrava
15. D.Bárta & RBT - Brno

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ROBERT BALZAR TRIO TOUR
April 2016
20. Praha - Písecká brána
21. Ptaha - U malého Glena
22. Veselí n / Moravou - VKC
(release party NEW DVD)
23. Polička - T.D. Jazz 2016
(release party NEW DVD)
24. Praha - JazzDock
(release party NEW DVD)

Jiří Levíček - piano
Robert Balzar - double bass
Kamil Slezák - drums

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We are happy to announce that we will be touring with phenomenal Italian clarinetist Gabriele Mirabasi, He has to his credit recordings with musicians like Enrico Pieranunzi, Marc Johnson, Richard Galliano...

ROBERT BALZAR TRIO & GABRIELE MIRABASSI TOUR - April 2016

1. Kostelec nad Orlicí (Zámek - Kinský)
2. Broumov (klášter)
3. Český Krumlov - (Synagoga)
5. Olomlouc (Tibet)
6. Ostrava ČS rozhlas (veřejná nahrávka)
7. Trutnov (Jazzinec)
8. Brno (Jazzfest)
9. Praha (Chodovská tvrz)

Gabrielle Mirabassi - clarinet, basscl.
Jiří Levíček - piano
Robert Balzar - bass
Kamil Slezák - drums

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New DVD released by Czech National TV, will premiere this spring.

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Sound of 2016:)

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24.11. Beroun
26.11. Rokycany
27.11. Strakonice
28.11. Štětí
1.12. Frýdek Místek
2.12. Brno
3.12. Velký Týnec
9.12. Příbram
13.12. Praha
15.12. Ždár nad Sázavou
16.12. Chrudim
17.12. Kolín
19.12. Karlovy Vary

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Beating Around The Busch (ACDC)
From The album Theyories
www.bartabalzartrio.cz

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30.9. Bratislava
1.10. Poprad
2.10. Prievidza
3.10. Žilina
4.10. Tvrdošín
5.10. Prešov
6.10. Košice
7.10. Nitra
8.10. Trnava

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18.9 Český Krumlov - Synagoga - Event moved on October 10!
19.9. Červený Kostelec - ZUŠ
20.9. Praha - Agharta
21.9. Praha - Reduta
22.9. Brandýs n/L - kino
23.9. Příbram - Club No.1
24.9. Praha - U malého Glena
25.9. Bojkovice
26.9. Vsetín - Tři opice
28.9. Brno - Alterna

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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The Robert Balzar Trio evolves in a slightly different direction with the addition of new drummer Kamil Slezák! Hot on the heels of the release of the "Vuja-Dé" album, the Trio has already developed a new repertoire of material with Kamil and is featuring it at live shows. Many Robert Balzar Trio concerts are already in the works for 2015. The Trio hopes to see you at one of these shows and can't wait to play some of their new sounds for you. For now, here is a live video featuring Kamil Slezák on drums!!

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November 19 2014

November Tour 2014 New cd Vuja-Dé

R.B.Trio TOUR NOVEMBER 2014:
13. Praha (U malého Glena)
20. Pieštany (Art Jazz Gallery)
21. Michalovce (Caffe Barrique)
22. Košice (Jazz For Sale)
26. Děčín (LeGarage Noir)
27. Štítná nad Vláří – Popov
28. Veselí nad Moravou (Kafé)
29. Žiar nad Hronom (MsKC)
30. Brno (Alterna)
DECEMBER 1st Prague (JazzDock)
album VuJa-Dé - RELEASE PARTY!

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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October 08 2014

New CD of R.B.Trio

The Robert Balzar Trio proudly announces the release of a new CD in November 2014!
The album title is "Vuja-De"
It will feature original compositions along with a selection of carefully - chosen covers and standards.
"Vuja-De" was recorded and mixed in New York City at Sear Sound Studio.
In addition to Robert on double bass, the Trio features the great Jiri Levicek on piano and veteran Jiri Slavicek on drums.
The release of the new album will be followed by a tour in late November.
Stay tuned for concert dates and information regarding where you can get your copy of this great new release!

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May 08 2014

The Season for Concerts

As the weather begins to heat up, so does Robert's concert schedule.
A series of Robert Balzar Trio concerts are scheduled across the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Belgium this May in continued promotion of the new "Discover Who We Are" album.
A number of Dan Bárta & Robert Balzar Trio dates are also booked throughout the summer, including shows in both Germany and Poland. The summer season also brings many music festivals, including an appearance by Dan Bárta & Illustratosphere this July at the Colours of Ostrava festival.
Keep your eye on Robert's concert calendar for show details as well as for new dates!
Hope to see you at a show this summer!!

R.B.Trio TOUR MAY 2014:
15. Náchod - Beránek
16. Polička - Divadelní klub
17. Praha - U malého Glena
19. Praha - JazzDock
21. Edinburgh (GB)
22. Londýn (GB)
24. Brusel (B)
26. Praha - Agharta
28. Příbram - Belvedere
30. Letovice
31. Červený Kostelec

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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March 15 2014

Spring Tour March 2014

TOUR March 2014:
15. Český Krumlov - Antré
16. Praha - Agharta
17. Praha - JazzDock
18. Vrchlabí - Střelnice
19. České Budějovice - Highway 61
20. Litvínov - Citadela
22. Praha - U malého Glena
24. Praha - Reduta
26. Jablonec n/N - Eurocentrum
27. TRUTNOV - Jazzinec 2014
28. Ostrava - Parník
29. Olomouc - Tibet
30. BRNO - Jazzfest - Fléda

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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January 13 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!

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November 02 2013

INEVITABLE
new video

Here is a promotional video the Robert Balzar Trio recently made for a song recorded at their New York City recording sessions in April 2013. This tune was written by pianist Jiri Levicek and is called "Inevitable". Enjoy!

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November 01 2013

MARATONIKA
new album, tour

Dan Bárta & Illustratosphere have released "Maratonika", their long-awaited follow-up to 2008's "Animage" album. The new disk features a reconfigured five-piece Illustratosphere that includes Robert Balzar on bass and also marks the return of original Illustratosphere guitarist Mira Chyska. The album features nine new original songs with lyrics written by Dan Bárta and will be supported by a 38 city tour in late 2013. Please check www.maratonika.cz for details on tour dates!!

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October 01 2013

New CD Tour

TOUR 2013:
9. Nové město na Moravě
10. Praha - Agharta
11. Vsetín - jazzfest.
12. Kostelec nad Orlicí - zámek
13. Praha - U malého Glena
15. Praha - Reduta
16. Ždár n/S
17. Praha - JazzDock (křest cd)
18. Hradec Králové - Jazz goes to town
19. Karlovy Vary - jazzfest.
20. Brno - Alterna
22. Bratislava - Ateliér Babylon
23. Broumov - klášter

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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August 18 2013

NEW CD

An Invitation to "Discover Who We Are"

The work is almost finished and a date has now been set...! The new Robert Balzar Trio album, "Discover Who We Are", is set to hit the streets in mid-October. The CD's release will be celebrated with a concert at Prague's famed Jazz Dock on the evening of 17 October. "Discover Who We Are" was recorded/mixed at Sear Sound studios in New York City last April by renowned engineer James Farber. The equally celebrated Mark Wilder applied his touch to master the album. The disk features a mix of original songs by Robert, a couple pieces written by new Trio pianist Jiri Levicek, along with some well-chosen interpretations. We think it sounds fantastic and can't wait to showcase it in less than two months! Hope to see you then at the Jazz Dock!!

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May 22 2013

New York 2013

It's official!
The new Robert Balzar Trio album was recorded during a rewarding mid-April trip to New York City. A three-day session at Sear Sound with renowned engineer James Farber at the board resulted in the guys putting most of their current repertoire on tape. The album will be titled "Discover Who We Are" and remains on track for a September release this year, to be followed by a promotional tour.
Producer Dan Stomierosky says, "The guys played their hearts out and the session was fantastic! James captured a very rich, natural sound for the Trio and I can't wait to get this project out the door so people can hear it!"

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April 06 2013

New York is (Almost) Now!

The Robert Balzar Trio is off to New York City this week to record their new CD, "Discover Who We Are", at the renowned Sear Sound studio. The same team responsible for the great sound on the acclaimed Dan Bárta & Robert Balzar Trio release "Theyories" will be involved with the recording of this new album, namely multi-Grammy Award winning recording engineer James Farber, multi-Grammy Award mastering engineer Mark Wilder, and producer Dan Stomierosky. The producer says, "I can't wait to get the guys in the studio, the Trio are playing phenomenally and the new material sounds absolutely great!"

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March 31 2013

When is the Prague Spring?

The Robert Balzar Trio is in the midst of a March tour of the Czech Republic, putting the finishing touches on the material that they plan to record next month in New York City for their new CD. Please make sure you stop by a gig and stay tuned to this space for information about the NYC recording sessions!!

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January 07 2013

Ring in the New

The year 2013 begins with a big change for the Robert Balzar Trio: Longtime pianist Stanislav Mácha has left the Trio, US-based Czech pianist Jiri Levicek has joined in his place. The new Trio lineup has already played several club dates in December and the new sound is quickly gelling. The Trio has a number of dates scheduled for January (check the Concerts calendar), please make sure you drop by a gig to welcome Jiri and check out the new sounds! The Robert Balzar Trio is slated to record a new album in New York City in April, 2013. The planned album title is "Discover Who We Are" and is tentatively scheduled for a late summer/early fall release along with a subsequent promotional tour. Look for more details about the album as the recording date approaches.
Happy New Year everybody!!

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December 09 2012

Television Performance

Here is a clip of Robert performing with Dan Bárta, Filip Jelinek and Jaroslav Friedl for the Slovakian STV program "Legendy Popu".

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October 15 2012

IJF - PRAGUE 2012

On 08 October, the Robert Balzar Trio played at the famed Reduta Jazz Club for the 34th Prague International Jazz Festival. Here is a clip of the Trio performing the jazz standard "Haunted Heart" at that concert. Enjoy!

Robert Balzar - bass
Stanislav Macha - piano
Jiri Slavicek - drums

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June 19 2012

MID-YEAR UPDATE

No big news for Robert thus far in 2012 but sometimes no big news is not such a bad thing! Robert's touring schedule continues to be busy, juggling the demands of playing Trio dates with Dan Bárta, gigs with Illustratosphere in various configurations, J.A.R. concerts, not to mention many dates with the Robert Balzar Trio by itself. Should you happen to be on the Iberian Peninsula in early July, Dan Bárta and the Robert Balzar Trio are playing a couple shows in Portugal and Spain (see the Concert Calendar for details). Planning for the new Robert Balzar Trio album continues, watch this space for further news about that project!

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December 21 2011

2011: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

As another year draws to a close, it's time once again to take a moment and recap Robert's activities over the past twelve months.
Arguably the biggest Robert - related news in 2011 was an announcement by legendary Czech chanteuse Hana Hegerová of her retirement from live performances. Robert had been a member of Hana's touring band for over twenty years
Funk-rap ensemble J.A.R. released their latest album "Dlouhohrajici decka" to great acclaim in late 2011! The new disk shot straight to number 1 on the Czech album charts with the band promoting it during their traditional November tour.
Robert along with fellow Illustratosphere members Dan Bárta and Filip Jelinek, reunited with their former Sexy Dancer's bandmate Dara Rolins during successful Illustratosphere tours of both the Czech and the Slovak Republics (additional dates are being planned for 2012!).
And speaking of Dan Bárta, The Robert Balzar Trio played numerous live dates with Dan throughout the year in continued support of their popular late - 2010 album "Theyories".
Last but no doubt the closest to Robert's heart, The Robert Balzar Trio played an increased number gigs throughout 2011. The Trio is currently focused on building new repertoire for their next album, tentatively titled "Discover Who We Are", to be recorded sometime in the new year.

Please be sure to come by a gig in 2012 and discover for yourself what the RB Trio is up to!
Happy Holidays!!

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October 08 2011

R.BALZAR TRIO - LIVE

Here is some video of the Robert Balzar Trio's performance at JazzFestBrno 2011. This footage features two songs: "Hope" (R. Balzar) and "Alive" (F.Jelinek). Enjoy!!

Stanislav Macha - piano
Robert Balzar - bass
Jiri Slavicek - drums

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September 12 2011

NEW J.A.R. RELEASE

Long-running funk-rap outfit J.A.R. have released their first new album in five years, "Dlouhohrajici decka". The album debuted at number one on the Czech album charts and is available at all the usual retail locations throughout the Czech and Slovak Republics. Robert has been a member of J.A.R. since 1998 and the new release prominently features his bass playing. J.A.R. will be touring over the next few months in support of the new album. Many live dates are scheduled for November including the traditional annual Prague appearance on 17 November. For the non-Czech speakers, the album name roughly translates as \"Long playing children\". You may draw your own conclusions from that!

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September 11 2011

HANA HEGEROVÁ RETIRES FROM THE STAGE

It is with great sadness that we pass along the news that Hana Hegerová has decided to retire from her busy schedule of live performances. While she has not ruled out making the occasional guest concert appearance, nor does she plan to stop making new albums, citing health reasons Hana decided to no longer continue her rigorous touring schedule. Robert has been a member of Hana's touring band since 1990 and has also played on numerous studio recordings as well.
Robert comments, "I will miss playing Hana's show, it's been a part of my life for a long time! Playing a Hegerová concert was different in many ways from my other projects: the volume level gave the show a different dynamic; I often played with the bow which I really enjoy and don't get to do as much as I might like elsewhere; playing without a drummer is a very different experience and I have always enjoyed playing alongside Petr Malasek, Fr. Kop and Zd. Fiser. Everybody knows Hana is she well loved by her fans. She has her own very distinctive image and she worked hard at her craft right up to her last concert. I wish her all the best in retirement!"

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August 19 2011

LAST CHANCE, NO LONGER LOST

Dan Bárta and the Robert Balzar Trio made a recent appearance on the Czech television music program "KLOBOUCEK" performing four songs from their album "Theyories". If you were lucky enough to catch the show, here is a bonus video for you! One additional song was performed and taped but it was shown on a different telecast of "KLOBOUCEK". And if you did not catch the show when it aired, this video is your opportunity to see a great performance by the guys!

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May 06 2011

VIDEO + PHOTO

In April, the Robert Balzar Trio played at two jazz festivals: JazzFestBrno 2011 and Mladí ladí Jazz in Prague. Here's some video along with a photo gallery from Brno.




BRNO JAZZFEST 22.04.2011 - photo gallery

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March 08 2011

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

While Prague thaws out from the long winter, March and April are both shaping up to be big "concert months" on Robert's schedule. A fourteen date Illustratosphere tour is scheduled to kick off in Brno in early March. This tour will feature vocals from special guest Dara Rolins. For those unaware, Robert, Filip Jelínek, Dan Bárta, and Dara Rolins were all members of the short-lived Czech funk supergroup Sexy Dancers. In addition to the Illustratosphere tour, Robert also has dates scheduled for the continuing promotion of the recent Dan Bárta / Robert Balzar Trio album "Theyories". And if all of that weren't enough, perhaps the most exciting news is a dozen or so Robert Balzar Trio gigs that are also scheduled throughout March / April at which the guys will be honing material for a planned new Trio album!
Please check the Concerts calendar section of the website for details on all the dates and we sincerely hope to see you somewhere soon!!

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January 15 2011

THE PRAGUE POST Interview

For some of Robert's insights on his bass playing along with a peek at Robert's plans for the New Year, please check out the following interview/article in this week's
Prague Post

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December 24 2010

2010: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2010 is no doubt a year that Robert Balzar will remember best for all the work that went into making the album "Theyories", a collaboration between the Robert Balzar Trio and renowned Czech vocalist Dan Bárta. Selecting repertoire for the album began early in the year, arrangements for the twelve songs were developed, the material was honed in concert performances, demos were recorded. The actual recording of "Theyories" took place in several sessions at Smecky Studios in Prague throughout the summer months. A trip was made to New York City in early October for mixing and mastering. "Theyories" was released to great acclaim in late October at a release party concert held at Prague's Divadlo Archa. This coming out party was followed by a twenty-city "Theyories" promotional tour throughout the Czech and Slovak Republics in November/December.
Although "Theyories" was easily the highlight of Robert's year, there were indeed many other memorable occurrences throughout 2010. Robert traveled with bandmates Dan Bárta and Illustratosphere to the Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China for some live performances in May. Robert was a participant in the recording of legendary Czech chanson singer Hana Hegerova's latest album "Mlýnské kolo v srdci mém"which was also released late in the year (Robert is a long-time member of Hana's touring band). Robert also recorded tracks for the long-awaited new album by funk-rap group J.A.R. which should see a release in spring 2011.

Thanks for supporting the music by coming to the gigs and by buying the CDs!
Hope to see you soon in 2011!!

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November 18 2010

"THEYORIES" TOUR

The new Dan Bárta & Robert Balzar Trio album "Theyories" was released with much fanfare during a show at Prague's Divadlo Archa on October 23rd. The reception for the disc has been great and sales thus far have been brisk (special thanks to everybody who has purchased a copy)! There are many concerts scheduled in support of the new album all around both the Czech and the Slovak Republics. Please check the concert calendar on the website for details and hopefully we'll be seeing YOU at one of the upcoming shows!

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October 11 2010

NEW HANA HEGEROVÁ CD

In addition to his own new album "Theyories", Robert's playing is featured on the new album by the legendary Hana Hegerová, "Mlýnské kolo v srdci mém". Robert is a long-running member of Hana's touring band and has previously worked with her in the studio. Hana's new album is riding the top of the charts now and is available from all of the usual sources. Please be sure to check it out!

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October 05 2010

BRAND NEW CD "THEYORIES"

DAN BARTA & ROBERT BALZAR TRIO

While the new album is now less than three weeks from its release, here's an update on the goings-on from the past couple months... The album has been christened with the name "Theyories" and as promised, will feature interpretations of songs by a diverse range of artists. The basic tracks for the CD were laid down at Studio Smecky in Prague. The material was mixed at Sear Sound in New York City by three - time Grammy Award winning engineer James Farber (Brad Mehldau, John Scofield, Eliane Ellias, Michael Franks…).
The final step in the process was a mastering session with another multiple - Grammy winning engineer Mark Wilder
(Miles Davis, Weather Report, St.Wonder, Sting...).
We think the album is great, sounds great, and we cannot wait for everybody to hear it! Please join us at the Archa Theatre in Prague on 23 October for the CD release party!

photos

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June 12 2010

FINALLY, AN ALBUM!

The Robert Balzar Trio & Dan Bárta are taking their long-running live collaboration to the next level by recording an album!
The new CD is planned for an autumn 2010 release and will feature interpretations of songs by both the well-known and the not-so-well-known (e.g. The Police, Joni Mitchell, Finley Quaye, Meshell Ndegeocello, a 13th Century choral work, and so on...).
The album release party is set for 23 October at the Archa Theatre in Prague.

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May 13 2010

CULTURAL AMBASSADORS

If you happen to currently be in Asia or more specifically are in Shanghai, look for Dan Bárta & Illustratosphere to perform as representatives of Czech culture on 17 May at the EXPO 2010 Shanghai China.
The group will also be performing on 20 May at Shanghai's premier music club - YUYINTANG.

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December 24 2009

2009: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

A year in which Robert focused on live work kicked off in in big way in March with the Robert Balzar Trio touring the Czech Republic, Slovakia and England with guitarist John Abercrombie. In June, the Robert Balzar Trio played a five-night stand in New York City. Live Robert Balzar Trio work in the latter part of the year saw a particular focus on concerts with renowned Czech singer Dan Bárta (including dates in Spain) in preparation for the recording of a collaborative album in 2010. 2009 was also a year for anniversaries! The 10th anniversary of Dan Bárta & Illustratosphere, a group in which Robert is a founding member, was celebrated both with an April tour of Slovakia and with a September tour of the Czech Republic. November 17th marked the 20th anniversary of the formation of funk-rap band J.A.R. on the day of the Velvet Revolution. This milestone was celebrated with a November J.A.R. tour of the Czech Republic.

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December 21 2009

NEW VIDEO BY DAN BARTA & ILLUSTRATOSPHERE

This video is for the song "Nejen Ian" from the most recent Dan Barta & Illustratosphere album, "Animage"
The lead role in the video is played by Czech actor Jan Budar. Also appearing in the video are a number of family members of the band, various collaborators and assorted friends.
The video was both written and directed by Roman Tyc.

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September 19 2009

10 YEARS OF ILLUSTRATOSPHERE

The year 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the founding of the group Dan Bárta & Illustratosphere.
Here is a video of Robert and Dan as a duo, performing the song "Dech" from the latest Illustratosphere album "Animage".




10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2009
Autumn Season - September
2. TREBON
4. PLZEN
5. MOST
6. SEMILY
11. KLADNO
12. VYSOKE MYTO
15. PRAHA
18. SEJREK
19. BRATISLAVA (SK)
22. BRNO
23. OSTRAVA
24. OLOMOUC
25. ZLIN
28. BOLESLAV

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March 05 2009

INTERVIEW WITH JOHN ABERCROMBIE

John Abercrombie speaks about both recording with and the upcoming tour with the R Balzar Trio.
Interview 1
Interview 2

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January 17 2009

TOUR WITH JOHN ABERCROMBIE - March 2009

We are happy to announce that we will be touring Bohemia, Slovakia and England with one of the greatest jazz guitarists in the world, John Abercrombie, from March 12-23.

12. BRNO
13. OSTRAVA
15. LONDON
16. LONDON
18. ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE
19. PŘEROV
20. USTI N/L
22. PRAHA
23. BRATISLAVA

> Go to concerts

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December 18 2008

ILLUSTRATOSPHERE Lucerna Prague

17.XII. was the last concert in this year of Dan Bárta & Illustratosphere...

> Photos

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May 16 2008

DAN BÁRTA "ANIMAGE"

Sony / BMG CD Baby
iTunes
Amazon.com

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April 06 2008

ONEHAND JACK Theatre

Robert Balzar composed and recorded muic for the stage play Onehand Jack by Stefan Benni. MySpace

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April 01 2008

NEW CD

DAN BARTA & ILLUSTRATOSPHERE-ANIMAGE will come out in May

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December 27 2007

GOODBYE 2007

After nearly 120 concerts performing as the Trio, and in ILLUSTRATOSPHERE and J.A.R., 2007 comes to a close. In addition to the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Robert Balzar Trio successfully toured this year in Israel and Chicago, and was showcased at the Cheltenham Festival in England.
Watch this site closely and we may be coming to your area in 2008. Planned dates include Brussels and Paris in February, and a tour with John Abercrombie after the release of TALES. And of course, if you are visiting Prague, please stop by and say Hello!

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