Clarinetist, saxophonist, improviser, composer based in Brno. Graduate of the Conservatory in Teplice, master’s and doctoral program at the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts (JAMU) in Brno. Two years studied at the Sibelius Academy Helsinki. Clarinet and saxophone teacher at jazz department of JAMU in Brno.
In addition to his education in classical music, he mostly focuses on contemporary, experimental and improvised music. He works with a wide range of musical practices and tendencies – from jazz, freejazz, through contemporary aestetics, to the sound experiments and free improvisation. A thorough classical basis, but also a deep interest in modern, extended and extreme instrumental techniques, together with improvisational and compositional creativity shows PZ as a versatile player and specific performer, improviser and creator. PZ is established musician at czech jazz scene. Performed at numerous contemporary and jazz music festivals. Alternativa, Music Olomouc, Ostrava Days, Exposition of New Music (CZ), Festival of Sacred music Brno (CZ), Jazzfest Brno, Jazz Goes To Town (CZ), Brecon jazz festival (UK), Jantar Jazz festival (PL), Jazzycolours (FR), among others.
PZ has been exploring and discovering the possibilities of solo clarinet / saxophone in the field of free improvisation since his master’s studies and appears in various ensembles and combinations of like-minded musicians. He leads several original ensembles: Conducted impro “Divergent Connections Orchestra“, „Pavel Zlamal Contemporary Ensemble“, jazz avant-garde quartet „Next Phase“, „Pavel Zlámal & PQ“ (modern jazz quartet), „ZKKP“ free-fusion project, conceptual ensemble „Heterophone“, vocal avant-garde „Brünnwerk“, another directed & freejazz units „Powerplant Z“ or “Naked Lady”. With most of them recorded albums. At Brno scene PZ leads continuous series of directed jamsessions “Broken JAM”.
He is a member of the big band B-Side Band Brno, Lukas Oravec Big Band, Prague music performance orchestra among others. As a player and soloist he has collaborated with ensembles: Prague Improvisation Orchestra, BERG Orchestra, Brno Philharmonic, Brno National Theater, Brno Contemporary Orchestra, Moravian Philharmonic Olomouc, Ostravská Banda, Opera Diversa Brno and others. He premiered several dedicated contemporary pieces of Prague and Brno composers. In addition to the repertoire of his own bands, original big band arrangements and works for solo clarinet and saxophone, he collaborates as an author of music with the „Brno Contemporary Orchestra“, „Lichtzwang“ ensemble for contemporary music, or the theater „Goose on the String“ (Brno). His other interdisciplinary collaborations include dancers, performers and visual artists. He is a member of international improvising collective FreeForms.
On the field of education PZ is giving instrumental classes (saxophone / clarinet), jazz & contemporary ensemble workshops. On the theoretical basis PZ is giving lectures on improvisation, it’s application and manifestation in musical creative process, within the context of jazz, contemporary music, free improvisation, and other avant-garde tendencies. Lectures also deal with deeper philosophical meaning of improvisation and intuition, defining the approach to the life itself.