Ondrej Pivec

Biography: Ondrej Pivec, hammond organist & pianist Ondrej was born in 1984 in Brno (south Moravia, Czech Republic, Europe). Firstly he studied classical piano in Brno, but as he grew older, he took part in Summer Jazz Workshops organized by the Czech Jazz Society. It was there that he was introduced to jazz music and in that context, many great European musicians were his mentors. The first bigger engagement came in 2002. By that time Ondrej had joined the jazz trio of the prominent Czech jazz guitarist Roman Pokorn?. He had switched

Ondrej Pivec, hammond organist & pianist

Ondrej was born in 1984 in Brno (south Moravia, Czech Republic, Europe). Firstly he studied classical piano in Brno, but as he grew older, he took part in Summer Jazz Workshops organized by the Czech Jazz Society. It was there that he was introduced to jazz music and in that context, many great European musicians were his mentors.

The first bigger engagement came in 2002. By that time Ondrej had joined the jazz
trio of the prominent Czech jazz guitarist Roman Pokorn?. He had switched
from piano to the hammond organ and learned to play the bass lines with the left hand. Through working with this trio he slowly gained the experience of being a
professional sideman.

In 2003, after graduation from high school he joined Roman's blues project - Blues Box Heroes and gradually became a professional player. Ondrej then started performing with Yvonne Sanchez, a singer of Polish-Cuban descent (Brazilian Groove). In 2004 he played over 130 gigs with these three bands, performing not only in Czech Republic but also internationally. Engagements included Semper Oper, Bluenote - Dresden, a Romanian tour, a tour in Turkey with a band supporting Billy Cobham's Culture Mix, FIAP Jean Monnet Paris, Jazz Club St. Germain Paris, Kunstfabrik Schlott, Berlin and many more. Between 2005-2006, Ondrej also cooperated with the renowned German guitar player, Christian Rover.

In 2004, Ondrej started attending the Czech most prominent Jazz College of Jaroslav Jezek in Prague (which he successfully graduated from in 2007).

Consequently, Ondrej met Italian organ virtuoso Alberto Marsico and whilst in
London he also had the chance to meet legendary British organist Mike Carr. Both
these distinguished players offered him private lessons. In 2005, Ondrej left Roman
Pokorny's two bands and set off in his own direction to start his own band
called ORGANIC Quartet.

Together with this band, Ondrej was awarded first place in the Soloist of the year category, in the talent competition held within the 2005 Philips International Jazz Festival. ORGANIC Quartet was also elected the Band of the year at the same festival.

ORGANIC Quartet's debut album was released in 2005, by the Czech-British label Cube-Metier. Both national and international critics praised the album entitled Don't Get Ideas. Ondrej was elected the Organist of the Month for October 2006 by the International Archives for the Jazz Organ. Another big success came when Ondrej Pivec Organic Quartet received Czech Musical academy award for their debut CD in the category of Jazz and Blues (Andel 2006).

In 2007, the band published a new record named Never Enough, released by the most renowned Czech jazz label Animal Music. In the summer of 2007 Ondrej also left for private mentoring to New York, where he recorded his most recent record, Overseason, together with tenor-saxophonist living in New York, Joel Frahm, and Canadian guitarist Jake Langley. This record was published also by Animal Music in 2008 and received wide international acclaim.

Between 2007-2009, Ondrej also became a private tutor for many young pianists, and taught piano lessons at Jan Hanus Music Elementary School in Prague, Czech Republic. He was also a tutor at Prague Summer Jazz Workshops in 2008-9.

In 2008, Ondrej was accepted to two American music universities: New York's New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and New Jersey's William Paterson University, major jazz piano and hammond organ.
The year 2008 also brought two major prizes won at Spanish International Jazz Festival in Getxo, audience's prize for the best band, and for the best soloist (Ondrej).

Since January 2009 Ondrej lives in New York and undertakes private sessions with organist-virtuosos Sam Yahel and Pat Bianchi, also gospel virtuoso Cory Henry, and other great hammond organists. Ondrej also leads his own classes for students there.

In New York, Ondrej performs regularly with Joel Frahm, Paul Bollenback, Bill Campbell, James Zollar, Nabuko, James Marshall, Russel Carter, Karel R??i?ka ml. and other famed jazz names. With this background, Ondrej belongs to one of the most respected and remarkable musicians on the Czech and European jazz and fusion scenes.

Source: Dominika Janigov?
booking@ondrejpivec.com
www.ondrejpivec.com