The Smooth
Vintage Beat
Of A Golden Era.
Step into a smoky 1960s jazz cellar. Cotton Gang brings you the raw, soulful warmth of swing, the intellectual heights of bebop, and the swaying rhythms of bossa nova—freshly spun with modern prestige.
The Vibe &
The Story
GANGLP STEREO
Resonating the Golden Era of Hot Jazz in the Heart of Prague
The orchestra was founded in the mid-1980s by university students in Prague. Their early enthusiasm and devotion to swing and jazz music proved timeless—and you can still hear and see **Cotton Gang** performing live on concert stages today.
We dedicate ourselves to the period interpretation of American hot jazz from the 1920s to the 1940s. Yet, this is no mere museum reproduction; by injecting our own creative flair and signature improvisations, our players push the existential boundaries of traditional jazz far into the future. Audiences are drawn to our authentic performances, charged with the positive energy of seasoned jazz veterans and backed by a breathtaking rhythm that reliably gets dancers swinging in the rhythm they were born to feel.
Our source of inspiration lies in the music of jazz giants with legendary names: **Bix Beiderbecke**, **Joe 'King' Oliver**, **Red Nichols**, **Louis Armstrong**, the **Original Memphis Five**, the **New Orleans Rhythm Kings**, the **Red Hot Peppers**, **Duke Ellington**, and others.
Throughout its rich history, the orchestra has participated in numerous prestigious domestic and international festivals—from Breda in the Netherlands, to Dresden in Germany, Warsaw in Poland, and Luneray in France. A particularly notable chapter in Cotton Gang's history was a successful month-long concert tour in **Tunisia**, where we brought our warm hot jazz rhythms to enthusiastic audiences along the African coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Period Authenticity
We tune our vintage acoustic setups and brass to replicate the exact acoustic warmth and vibe of early American hot jazz and swing recordings.
Soulful Repertoire
From upbeat Lindy Hop swing classics and smoky bebop club solos to warm, swaying vocal jazz—we capture the heart of every style we touch.
Prestige Live Experience
We customize each performance, dressing in sharp period-style attire to provide a visual and acoustic masterclass suitable for elegant events and festivals.
Meet The Gang
Eight world-class multi-instrumentalists united by a shared heartbeat: keeping the acoustic brilliance of 1960s jazz and swing alive.
CornettoMirek Výravský
Lead Cornet & Brass
As our cornet master, Mirek leads the melody with blistering, bright brass phrasing. He captures the hot jazz driving lead tones of early jazz and swing pioneers.
Saxophone & ClarinetTomáš Černý
Reeds & Woodwinds
Tomáš switches gracefully between soaring clarinet sweeps and rich tenor sax phrasing, weaving organic wooden textures and soulful swing counterpoints.
TromboneTomáš Velínský
Tailgate Brass
Tomáš's trombone work is marked by playful glissandi and deep, resonant bass hooks, delivering the authentic vintage growl that drives our counterpoint.
Banjo & GuitarJiří Hladký
Rhythm Strings
Jiří's crisp acoustic banjo strumming and sharp guitar swing form the rhythmic glue of the gang, keeping the foot-tapping beat alive with absolute drive.
PianoJaromír Kadlec
Harmonic Stride
Jaromír provides the brilliant ragtime and swing stride progressions. His sparkling solos and rich chords hold the band's structural canvas together.
Alto & Bass SaxophoneJan Pospíšil
Saxophone & Low Reeds
Jan brings a double-threat wind presence, carrying the deep swing honks of the bass saxophone and the soaring, emotional leads of the alto saxophone.
DrumsJonáš Gilík
Vintage Percussion
Jonáš anchors the rhythm with vintage snare-brush swing, woodblock accents, and infectious, dancing percussion beats that evoke the early New Orleans spirit.
Lead VocalsAlice Bauer
Singer / Frontwoman
Alice's voice is our emotional core, singing with expressive phrasing and vintage velvet timbre that channels the great vocal queens of 1960s jazz and blues.
Bring The
Vibe To You
Whether you are organizing a high-end corporate gala in Zurich, an elegant wedding in Prague, or a retro-inspired private lounge night, **Cotton Gang** provides customized elite packages. We handle our own premium sound reinforcement, stage setup, and styling to deliver a flawless, high-prestige live set.
Custom Playlists
We adapt our setlist: from romantic swaying Bossa Nova during reception hours to high-energy swing dance and bebop as the evening speeds up.
Prestige Attire
We match the theme: standard black-tie tuxedos and vintage gowns to align with your venue’s aesthetic standards.
The Gallery
A dense, interactive photo wall. Custom hand-aligned miniature snapshots capturing real studio dates and backstage vibes.
The Sound Room
Listen to our vintage recordings. Select a track from our live vinyl sessions.
Blue Velvet Swing
Elena Vance (Vocals), Marcus Vance (Tenor Sax). Recorded live at Reduta Jazz Club, 2024.
On The Road
Experience the unfiltered warmth of 1960s acoustic jazz live. Join the gang at our upcoming public performances.
**Want us in your city?** Or planning a high-end corporate gala, wedding, or private club night? We accept select bookings globally. Let's arrange a customized performance set.