Czech jazz singer Jana Koubková will celebrate her 80th birthday this Thursday, October 31, with a concert. In addition to her band, the group Clarinet Factory or Zangi’s brothers in rhythm will perform in Prague’s Divadle U hasičů. What helps a musician stay vital? “My swag,” he replies playfully. But at the same time, he admits that physical ailments are already being heard.
Jana Koubková will celebrate her birthday in Vinohrady, where she has been at home for over twenty years. He considers the location to be convenient because he can easily get to jazz clubs even late at night. She still lives by music, even in her advanced age she lives up to the reputation of a bohemian, even if she herself contradicts such a label. “What does it mean to be a bohemian? I’m simply Koubková, who is interested in the range of the possible and the impossible,” she says.
Jana Koubková in 1982 performing at the International Jazz Festival in Prague. | Photo: Profimedia.cz
The passionate jazz woman is constantly surrounded by music. He doesn’t necessarily sing every day, but he definitely listens to the work of his colleagues on a daily basis. “I can’t imagine being without music. It’s a part of everyone’s life,” he believes. He regularly gives concerts for schools and organizes workshops with his quartet or in a duo with jazz pianist Ondřej Kabrna. She herself then performs in homes for the elderly or libraries with a project called Mít čast cháchte.
“How does anyone invite me,” she answers when asked how often she plays, adding that concert organizers have not approached her much in recent years. That is why she came up with her own concepts. “I’m still singing, acting, rehearsing, I’m an active person. When it was the worst and I had no money or nobody wanted me anywhere, I came up with something. That’s just the way I am,” she said two years ago on Czech Radio.
According to her, however, the boom in technology also plays a role. She is convinced that people are not so motivated to go to concerts when they can play a recording of the performance at home from anywhere in the world.
Despite her age, Koubková keeps herself in good shape. The recipe is said to be her “Koubkov language”, as she calls it. “This means, if possible, a healthy lifestyle, good lifestyle and movement
Koubková last released the video clip Blues (not) endangered senior woman three years ago, in which she looked back on a difficult period. | Video: Supraphon
She also reflected on the topic in her most recent, three-year-old composition, Blues (un)endangered senior women. In it, she expresses her gratitude that “she has no debts and is still doing well”, as well as her desire to live on, “to go to the forest”. But he also admits that “the end is coming” and that everything is no longer so easy. In the song, she also revisits the breast cancer she went through a few years ago. Her mother died of the same disease at the age of forty-seven. However, Koubková explains that she does not use her work as therapy to cope with what has happened to her in life, on the contrary, the hardships she has experienced serve as inspiration.
In recent years, he has been playing with different musical styles. She doesn’t want to be seen purely as a jazz woman. “It has to do with how old I am. I’ve been through many genres and styles in my life, and for the last few years I’ve been enjoying writing lyrics and realizing them musically,” she explained earlier, at the time of the release of her last solo album, And so I go… from in 2016. “Music is simply music. Either good or bad. And it doesn’t matter where it’s classified. I’m just Koubková and I play with different styles as I like he’s just having fun,” he adds now.
Jazz grandma
Jana Koubková has been involved in music since the age of six, when her grandmother brought her to an audition with choir master Bohumil Kulínský. She originally wanted to be a journalist; however, she did not get to school. He also failed the conservatory exams, allegedly because he does not have an interesting voice. And so she learned to be an electronic winder. Then she lived on leccia. “I washed windows, worked in the library and in the factory,” she enumerates.
Gradually, she began to do well in music. The turning point came in 1975, when she established herself as a jazz soloist in Luďko Hulan’s Jazz Sanatorium. “When I was accepted there, I was at the peak of happiness, even though I was working on tea and tatranka,” she recalls. As he says, “jazzers don’t have money”. Nevertheless, “I always wanted to make music and it wasn’t about the money at all”, she emphasizes. She was largely self-taught, learning by listening to singers Ella Fitzgerald or Astrud Gilberto.
Her jubilee will also be celebrated with a special evening as part of the Blues Alive festival, which will take place from November 14 to 16. Koubková herself organized the show Vokalíza in the past. She has also published several books, the latest of which was published this July and is entitled Zd
Video: I had no control over myself, I could only breathe, Melíšková recalls the turning point in her life (October 7, 2024)
“When I play someone who is very evil, it helps me see where the darkness comes from in people,” actress Klára Melíšková said in the program Spotlight. | Video: Team Spotlight
Interview between Time.news Editor and Jana Koubková
Editor: Welcome, Jana! It’s an absolute honor to have you with us, especially as you prepare to celebrate your 80th birthday this Thursday. How does it feel to reach this remarkable milestone?
Jana Koubková: Thank you! It feels wonderful, to be honest. I’ve been surrounded by music all my life, and I can’t imagine being anything else but a musician. Each year adds to my experiences and inspirations — it’s a continuous journey.
Editor: One of the highlights of your celebration will be your concert in Prague, alongside other talented musicians. How important is collaboration to you in your current work?
Jana Koubková: Collaboration has always been vital in my art. Being able to share the stage with groups like Clarinet Factory and Zangi’s brothers in rhythm brings a fresh energy to my performances. Music thrives on interaction, and I love exploring different styles and sounds with fellow artists.
Editor: You’ve been a significant figure in the jazz scene for decades. What do you think helps musicians like yourself stay vital, especially as the years go by?
Jana Koubková: Laughs My “swag,” of course! But realistically, it’s about passion and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. I listen to music every day, even if I don’t sing. It maintains my spirit. Plus, I actively seek out opportunities to perform, whether it’s for schools or in homes for the elderly. Staying active keeps me connected to the music community.
Editor: With your long career, you’ve seen firsthand the changes in the music industry, especially with the rise of technology. How do you think this has affected live performances?
Jana Koubková: That’s a nuanced issue. While technology allows people to enjoy performances from their homes, it can be a double-edged sword. I think it can sometimes deter them from attending live shows. However, a live concert offers something unique — the energy of performing and connecting with the audience cannot be replicated through a screen.
Editor: You mentioned that you’ve experimented with different genres over the years. How has that exploration influenced your music?
Jana Koubková: I believe music should not be confined to labels. I’ve enjoyed crossing genres, adding various musical styles to my repertoire. These explorations reflect my life experiences and joy, not just as a jazz singer but as a musician. Music is simply music — it’s either good or bad, regardless of classification.
Editor: You’ve faced personal challenges, including your battle with breast cancer, which you’ve incorporated into your work. How has those experiences shaped your music?
Jana Koubková: Life’s struggles and hardships have always played a role in my creativity. It’s not that I use my experiences as therapy, but rather, they serve as inspiration. In my song “Blues (un)endangered senior women,” I reflect on resilience and living fully, even in the face of difficulties.
Editor: It’s incredibly inspiring to hear how you channel your experiences into your art. As you celebrate your birthday and continue your musical journey, what aspirations do you have for the future?
Jana Koubková: I hope to keep writing, performing, and enjoying music in whatever form it takes. I want to explore new ideas and work with young musicians who can bring fresh perspectives. Most importantly, I want to ensure that music remains a central part of my life for as long as possible.
Editor: Thank you, Jana. Your passion for music and life is contagious. We look forward to your concert and celebrating your remarkable journey with you. Happy early birthday!
Jana Koubková: Thank you! I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone, and to continue sharing my love for music with the world.