Mirka Novak is a vocalist, performer, song-writer and vocal coach from the Czech Republic. She graduated from the University of West Bohemia with a Master's degree in 2013.
She has been visiting regularly United States of America to pursue her music career. She made her way to the "jazz mecca" of New Orleans, Austin TX, and Washington DC, where she played with recognized musicians at famous music venues.
Among others, she worked with Federico Gonzalez Pena (who collaborated with Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Chris Botti), Tarus Mateen (Betty Carter, Outcast, Lauryn Hill), Vincent Wiley (R. Kelly), Dave Manley (Jill Scott), Lenny Robinson, Nick J. Lewis, DeAndrey Howard, and many others. Gaining experience resulted in various opportunities including an invitation to perform at the Slovakian Embassy in Washington DC, a live performance with interview on the KOOP Radio in Austin TX, a show at the festival SXSW in Austin TX, a residency at the jazz club Brass House, and a couple of performances at the famous club Elephant Room in Texas. Before returning to the Czech Republic she had several concerts in Washington DC, last but not least, a concert at the prestigious club Twins Jazz.
Whilst traveling across the world in search of music and personal interpretation, Mirka Novak brings to the stage a unique soulful voice and contemporary sound spiced with groove. As a musician, her boldness can be felt, both in the rhythms and in the melodies she often improvises on the stage. She is currently working on her EP album which was recorded with American musicians in Austin TX.
Project started in 2013 in the USA. The repertoire refers to important jazz composers (such as Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, A. C. Jobim, H. Hancock, Gretchen Parlato, atc.), that Mirka Novak reshapes into her own renditions. The sound is a fusion of jazz, soul, latin influences with spice of groove. Members of the band change according to where Mirka Novak performs. On this project already collaborated: Federico G. Pena, Tarus Mateen, Edward Miles, David Jernigan, Dave Manley, Leny Robinson, Nick J. Lewis, etc.
R'n'B' soul band formed in 2015 after one successful show at Angel Music Club in the Czech Republic. The repertoire consists of Mirka Novak's originals and songs influenced by R'n'B Soul music scene (Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, D'Angelo, Lalah Hathaway, Lauryn Hill, J Dilla, Floetry, etc.). The members of Dozen Street are: Daniel Eberle - bass; Jan Techl - keys; Jaroslav Minar - drums; Filip Nekolny - percussion; Martina Novakova, Ludmila Melkova, Diana Smolkova - backing vocals.
Band who has performed on Prague club stage since 2015: Filip Spálený (bass), Jakub Doležal (keys), Michael Nosek (drums). In the past, the band cooperated with different frontmans but it was stabilized in May 2017 when a singer Mirka Novak was invited just after she return from USA. The band is composed of seasoned musicians playing repertoire full of fine soul, jazz and funky (Bill Whiters, Roy Hargrove, The Temptations, Michael Jackson or Marvin Gaye).
In 2016, singer Ridina Ahmedova and contrabassist Petr Tichy released the album HLASkontraBAS, which was nominated for Andel Award the same year. The compositions are based solely on a female voice and an acoustic contrabass. With the help of a loop station, individual melodic lines are layered, creating a polyphonic composition. HLASkotraBAS octet is a unique ensemble that extends this project into real voices. It consists of eminent Czech musicians in a lineup of 4 voices and 4 contrabasses. Songs from the album HLASkontraBAS are newly arranged to enable taking full advantage of the potential of a live performance. Members are: Petr Tichy, Ridina Ahmedova, Ondrej Stajnochr, Alice Bauer, Mirka Novak, Robert Balzar, Tadeas Mesany, Marketa Zdenkova, Petr Mikes.
28 December // The Dozen Street // Tradicni Kloub // Susice (CZ)
10 December // interview Folk Radio // Prague (CZ)
7 December // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
20 November // Mirka Novak 4tet // Fabrika, Wolkerova alej // 19:00 start // Svitavy (CZ)
14 November // Mirka Novak loopstation solo // Depo - klempirna // 18:00 start // Plzen (CZ)
8 November // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
6 November // Mirka Novak 4tet // Jazz Rock Cafe // Plzen (CZ)
3 November // Mirka Novak loopstation solo // Dum Hudby // 19:30 start // Plzen (CZ)
1 November // The Dozen Street // 22h start // Bar U Habakuka // Rokycany (CZ)
18 October // Mirka Novak 4tet // Jazz Festival // Cheb (CZ)
15 October // Meduzik Night vol. 9 // Andel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
5 October // Mirka Novak loopstation solo // 15h start // Festival Krasikov (CZ)
4 October // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
19 September // HlasKontraBass 8tet // Divadlo Pardubice (CZ)
14 September // Mirka Novak 4tet // Festival Babi Leto // Prague (CZ)
12 September // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
11 September // Prague Connection // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
8 September // Mirka Novak 4tet // Festival (GE)
31 August // HlasKontraBass 8tet // Festival Roznov Pod Radhostem (CZ)
24 August // Pilsen Connection // Ceske Budejovice (CZ)
19 August // Prague Connection // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
17 August // HlasKontraBass 8tet // Festival Dobrsska Brana // CZ
13 August // The Dozen Street // Festival Ziva Ulice // Pilsen (CZ)
2 August // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
26 July // The Dozen Street // Terasa // Pilsen (CZ)
21 July // Prague Connection // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
11 July // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
28 June // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
24 June // Prague Connection // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
7 June // The Dozen Street // Falcon Music Club // Klatovy (CZ)
31 May // The Dozen Street // Buena Vista Club // Pilsen (CZ)
18 May // The Dozen Street // U Stare Pani, Old Lady's // Prague (CZ)
11 May // Mirka Novak 4tet // Chemnitz (GE)
7 May // Prague Connection // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
2 May // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
23 April // Prague Connection // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
19 April // Mirka Novak 4tet // Jazz Club // Karlovy Vary (CZ)
12 April // Pilsen Connection, Festival Finale // Andel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
10 April // Mirka Novak 4tet // Jazz Rock Cafe // Pilsen (CZ)
12 March // Prague Connection // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
7 March // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
19 February // Meduzik Night vol. 7 // Andel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
2 February // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
11 January // Mirka Novak 4tet // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
7 January // Prague Connection // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
2018
28 December // Andel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
21 December // Alfa // Pilsen (CZ)
17 December // Ungelt Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
14 December // Old Ladies Venue // Prague (CZ)
12 December // Jazz Rock Music Club // Pilsen (CZ)
7 December // Main Railway Station // Prague (CZ)
1 December // Reduta Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
29 - 30 November // Old Ladies Jazz Venue // Prague (CZ)
20 November // Ungelt Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
17 November // TEDxPlzen // Pilsen (CZ)
9 November // Smetanuv Sal // Susice (CZ)
1 November // U Stare Pani // Prague (CZ)
30 October // Meduzik Night vol. 6 // Pilsen (CZ)
14 October // Jazz Club Ungelt // Prague (CZ)
5 October // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
29 September // Buena Vista // Pilsen (CZ)
22 September // Jazz Fest Karlovy Vary // Slash Bar (CZ)
12 September // Dum Hudby, openning for Audrey Martels (USA) // Pilsen (CZ)
11 September // Jazz Club Ungelt // Prague (CZ)
6 September // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
24 August // Andel Dvorek // Pilsen (CZ)
22 August // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
11 August // Festival MUSICIANS // Karlovy Vary (CZ)
23 July // Ungelt Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
21 July // Jazz Club // Regensburg (GE)
23 June // Tremosna Jazz Fest // Tremosna (CZ)
16 June // Nebespan Sumava // Kasperske Hory (CZ)
15 June // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
30 May // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
23 May // Ungelt Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
19 May // U Stare Pani // Prague (CZ)
5 May // Buena Vista Club // Pilsen (CZ)
4 May // Count Basie Orchestra, Namesti Republiky // Pilsen (CZ)
3 May // Zach's Pub // Pilsen (CZ)
27 April // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
23 April // Ungelt Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
8 March // Andel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
4 March // Ungelt Jazz Club // Prague (CZ)
2 March // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
28 February // Studio Pamet // Prague (CZ)
27 February // Ungelt // Prague (CZ)
6 February // Meduzik Night - Andel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
2 February // Jazz Club // Germany
24 January // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
17 January // Jazz Rock Café // Pilsen (CZ)
8 January // Ungelt // Prague (CZ)
1 January // Mestanska Beseda // Pilsen (CZ)
31 December 2017 // U Stare Pani - Oldladies // Prague (CZ)
29 December 2017 // Jazz Club Hotel Imperial // Karlovy Vary (CZ)
28 December 2017 // Tradicni Kloub // Susice (CZ)
19 December 2017 // Mestanska Beseda // Pilsen (CZ)
16 December 2017 // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
2 December 2017 // Pilsener Beer Factory // Pilsen (CZ)
24 November 2017 // U Stare Pani // Prague (CZ)
18 November 2017 // Alfa // Pilsen (CZ)
6 November 2017 // Ungelt // Prague (CZ)
24 October 2017 // Ungelt // Prague (CZ)
3 October 2017 // Andel Music Club // Pilsen (CZ)
13 September 2017 // Ungelt // Prague (CZ)
9 September 2017 // Reduta // Prague (CZ)
24 August 2017 // Ungelt // Prague (CZ)
20 August 2017 // Ziva Ulice Festival // Pilsen (CZ)
30 July 2017 // Host'n'Host // Pilsen (CZ)
17 July 2017 // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
30 June 2017 // Jazz Fest Open Air // Klenci u Domazlic (CZ)
6 June 2017 // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
31 May 2017 // Dum Hudby - Jazz Bez Hranic // Pilsen (CZ)
18 - 26 May 2017 // Afyonkarahisar Jazz Festival // Afyon (Turkey)
1 May 2017 // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
29 April 2017 // Tradicni Kloub // Susice (CZ)
19 April 2017 // Ungelt Jazz & Blues Club // Prague (CZ)
8 April 2017 3-4pm // Radio KOOP // Austin TX (USA)
31 March 2017 6-8pm // The Elephant Room // Austin TX (USA)
17 March 2017 // Antone's Record Shop // Austin TX (USA)
25 January 2017 // Andel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
28 November 2016 // New scene of the Great Theatre // Pilsen (CZ)
25 November 2016 // The Garrison // Prague (CZ)
22 September 2016 // Angel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
27 August 2016 // Maxim Music Club // Pilsen (CZ)
30 June 2016 // Angel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
25 November 2015 // Angel Music Bar // Pilsen (CZ)
28 June 2015 // TWINS JAZZ // Washington DC (USA)
27 June 2015 // Mr. Henry's // Capitol Hill // Washington DC (USA)
11 June 2015 // Slovakian Embassy // Washington DC (USA)
28 May 2015 // Brass House // Austin TX (USA)
23 April 2015 // Brass House // Austin TX (USA)
10 April 2015 // Elephant Room // Austin TX (USA)
3 April 2015 // Vino Mio // Corpus Christi TX (USA)
26 March 2015 // Brass House // Austin TX (USA)
21 March 2015 // SXSW Antone's Record Shop // Austin TX (USA)
14 March 2015 // Radio KOOP 91.7FM // Austin TX (USA)
26 Feb 2015 // Brass House // Austin TX (USA)
21 Feb 2015 // Russian House // Austin TX (USA)
31 Jan 2015 // Russian House // Austin TX (USA)
22 Jan 2015 // East Side Show Room // Austin TX (USA)
31 Dec 2014 // Cup of Joe // Tehuacana TX (USA)
27 Dec 2014 // Russian House // Austin TX (USA)
21 Dec 2014 // Hi-Hat Public House // Austin (USA)
9 Dec 2014 // Brass House // Austin TX (USA)
15 Nov 2014 // Russian House // Austin TX (USA)
21 Oct 2014 // Firehouse Lounge // Austin TX (USA)
25 Jul 2014 // Parish Underground // Austin TX (USA)
6 Mar 2014 // Bistro BOHEM // Washington DC (USA)
15 Nov 2013 // Blues Alive festival // Sumperk (CZ)
17 Nov 2013 // Blues Alive festival // Chorzów (PL)
booking@mirkanovakmusic.com