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Jiří Traxler

Jiří Traxler
Traxler-95 narozeniny-2007.jpg
Jiří Traxler celebrates 95th birthday, Edmonton, Canada, 10 March 2007.
Background information
Birth name Jiří Traxler
Born (1912-03-12)March 12, 1912
Tábor, Austria-Hungary
Died August 7, 2011(2011-08-07) (aged 99)
Edmonton, Alberta
Genres Jazz
Swing
Occupation(s) Composer
Arranger
Instruments Piano
Associated acts Karel Vlach
Rudolf Antonín Dvorský
Jaroslav Ježek

Jiří "George" Traxler (March 12, 1912 – August 7, 2011) was a Czech Canadian jazz and swing pianist, composer, lyricist and arranger. He is considered a founder and co-creator of the swing music era in the Czechoslovakia. Traxler was the last surviving collaborator of the renowned Czech pre-war composer Jaroslav Ježek. In 1951 he emigrated to Canada, and lived with his wife, Jarmila, in Edmonton until his death in the summer of 2011.

Traxler was born in Tábor, Bohemia, then a part of Austria-Hungary. He began his musical training at the early age at the Music Institute in Tábor. As a high school student he joined his brother's dance orchestra called The Red Ace Players. Following his graduation at local gymnasium he began studying law but didn't finish his studies. From 1935, Traxler devoted himself solely to music.

From 1935 to 1937, Traxler performed and recorded as a member of the Gramoklub Orchestra in Prague. Two of his compositions—Feelin´ Low and Short Story—were included in the series of recordings that were made in 1936 for the popular Czechoslovak label Ultraphon. His foxtrot A Little Rhythm became the theme song of the orchestra. In 1937 he became a member of the Society for the Protection of the Rights of Music Authors and Publishers (in Czech: Ochranný svaz autorský (OSA)).


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Wikipedia

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