Jaroslav Ježek

Czech Composer and Pianist of the Interwar Avant-Garde

Jaroslav Ježek was a significant Czech composer, pianist, and conductor, renowned for his contributions to the realm of jazz and modern classical music. Born on September 25, 1906, in Prague, he became a leading figure in the Czech avant-garde music scene during the interwar period. Ježek was closely associated with the Osvobozené divadlo (Liberated Theatre), a Prague-based avant-garde theatre group, where he worked alongside playwrights Jiří Voskovec and Jan Werich. His work for the theatre included composing music for their plays and performances, which were known for their satirical edge and innovative approach.