musician

For a musician ear training is one of the most important tasks.

Welcome to the official Miroslav Vitous site.  You can explore various aspects of the great
bassist's life and career, explore his albums and sound collections and view his concert schedule.

Many gifted musicians start playing at an early age, and Vitous began playing the violin at the age
of six.  He subsequently played the piano at age 10, before settling on the bass at 14.  He studied
under F. Posta at the Prague Conservatory in Czechoslovakia.  The history
of the conservatory is fascinating, with noteables such as Antonín Dvorák serving as their director.  The
conservatory has a very disciplined program requiring all students to study for 6 years and pass stringent exams.  
During this time he played in a trio with his brother Alan, and Jan Hammer.  After winning a scholarship to the
Berklee College of Music in Boston, he came to the U.S.  A year later in 1966, Miroslav moved to New York &
collaborated with musicians such as Bob Brookmeyer, Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, Charlie Mariano, and
Herbie Mann.

In 1970, the group Weather Report was formed along with Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinul.  Three
years later, he formed the Miroslav Vitous Group along with John Surman, Kenny Kirkland and Jon Christensen.  
In 1979, Vitous became the director of the Jazz Department at the New England Conservatory in Boston.  We will
explore more of his teaching experience under the educator section.