Pavel Morochovic

PAVEL MOROCHOVIČ a Slovakian pianist and composer burst onto the Slovak jazz scene in 2014.
 

His critically acclaimed debut release, eight song trio record titled “Awakening“, features a unit of 8 original tracks that fluently incorporate interconnected themes and motifs interwoven with jazz, classical and world music backdrops. In 2016 Pavel received Radio Head Awards and ESPRIT nominations for the Best Jazz Album in Slovakia. International album's credits: Top 20 Best European Records 2015 at European Jazz Union - Soul and Jazz UK; Top 10 Best Records 2015 at Longplay, Top 10 July and August 2015 at Cutting Edge - Jazz FM UK, Top 10 June 2015 at Steve's Jazz Sounds UK... 

Pavel enlists renowned Slovak musicians: bassist Juraj Griglák (Ron Affif, Frank McComb, Poogie Bell, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra) and drummer Martin Valihora (Hiromi, Harry Sokal, Lee Ritenour, Ron Affif, Frank McComb, Mezzoforte) for this project. “When writing and arranging my compositions for The Awakening I felt freedom as never before as the trio consisted of such great musicians who really liked my music and contributed a great deal to the project.”, Pavel says. Although the recording session was their first meeting, it was soon clear that they will continue to spread out the music as a stable jazz piano trio.

In 2016 Pavel took a part in the European project CRISS CROSS EUROPE. The project brought together musicians from six countries selected by a french composer and bass clarinet player LOUIS SCLAVIS (ECM Records) who was coaching the musicians and touring with the CCE band across Europe during October and November 2016. “It was a great experience and an honor to be a part of the project and to perform with such talented musicians at very nice venues across Europe. I´ve learned a lot from Louis who was a really big inspiration for us.”, Pavel recalls.  

Participation in the CCE led to a collaboration with Dutch musician Neil van der Drift on the project MYRIOI, a cotemporary jazz group that combines a modern approach of jazz with a symphonic heritage from both Central and West Europe. They toured together and appeared as a trio at festivals and club venues, currently working on their debute release. 

In 2019, Pavel began to work on his new compositions focusing on solo piano "HARMONY part I. - Prologue/Suite For Piano". Due to COVID-19, recording was pushed back and eventually took place at Liszt Center in Raiding in 2023 and released by the end of 2023 by Hevhetia. In a short time "Harmony I." has been ranked among the best solo recordings  of recent times in Slovakia with excellent reviews abroad.

Above all, his recent activities include performing solo, with his piano trio and other projects in various well-known clubs and music festivals (International Jazz Solo Piano Festival Prague, One Day Jazz Fest, Paradox, Unterfahrt, De Biljoke, De Werf, Opderschmelz, Valašský Špalíček, Trutnoff festival, club DOUPĚ in Prague, Jazz Prešov, Hevhetia Festival, Festival KHJ, ESPRIT, Open Jazz Fest Blue Note, Festival Dnes Jazz, Kremnické Gagy, Festival Slobody,  Mosty Gesharim, Folkforum live, Slovenské Alternatívne Leto fest, etc.). As a pianist and arranger he  works together with the project STORY that features Pavol Hammel, Milan Kňažko, Peter Lipa, Lucia Šoralová etc, with the slovak singer MARTINA SCHINDLEROVÁ and the jazz duet jEzzSPRIT.  

Pavel comes from the small Rusyn village Pčoliné in Slovakia. He only decided to take up playing piano at the age of 19, but his passion for music grew stronger while playing the accordion at  local music school under Lýdia Valenčíková and accompanied him through his whole childhood. After the secondary comprehensive school, based on parent’s wish he started studying at the University of Economics. However, he soon realized that it was the wrong direction; he started focusing on music again and left the university. Focusing on interpretation of classical music, he took private piano lessons at Mr. Peter Minárik for several years. In this stage, his interest in jazz music increased. Encouraged by his piano teacher, he intended to enhance his skills at a music college, but this idea never materialized and he continued studying, practising and teaching himself.