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Jan Vytasek      -     The Blackbird.cz

"Prague singer and songwriter Jan Vytasek is one of the somewhat latent promising talents of the local pop-rock scene. Jan commands a fairly charismatic voice and his songs, founded on the most traditional sources of the seventies and eighties at times with an added touch of an american country music, overflow with a seldom heard melodic potential. It sounds like: Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Bryan Adams."

Petr Koral - Muzikus Magazine , CZ

"For the pop rock levels it's a very well made product, whose level won't be probably reached by any of the finalist of currenly presented Czech-Slovakian Pop Idol.  True experience would be also the concert presentation of Vytasek's songs, which, if it would be distance-suitable, I surely won't miss. And that even dispite of a fact I don't visit pop concerts so much."

Rob Verdi - Musicserver, Slovakia

"Mr.  Vytasek certainly surprises with his vocals. However the longer you listen you come to appreciate that he has a love for music, and it comes through in his voice. His arrangements are flawless and very well thought out. His earlier works are covers of mainstream artists from throughout the years.  This album makes it clear, though, he is capable of making it on his own. 
Make sure to listen to the last tracks, the ones he sings in his native tongue.  I think those are the ones that give you a true appreciation for what he is, an artist that definitely deserves some attention."

Jenny Delamotte - Music News Nashville, USA

"In times of raging Czech-Slovakian Pop Idols there have been some splendid Czech or Slovakian enterpreters a bit missed out. One of them is Prague's singer and songwriter Jan Vytásek. This one has managed to release his debut album Lost And Found even without th support of major label and achieved a respectable acclaim of the public. "The Czech Bon Jovi" is struggling through the local pop-rock scene and is well on the way to overthrow the rivals outcoming of various TV talent shows."

Rob Verdi - Musicserver, Slovakia

Bio

Jan was born on 18th November. From a very young age, at music school, he studied to play the flute and guitar. Legendary artists like Paul McCartney, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and The Beatles influenced his early years. By the age of sixteen, he was already recording his first home demos inspired by these artists. At about that time, he started to write his own music and lyrics. 

Shortly after, he recorded and produced his first CD “Demo 2000”. His unique interpretation of the now classical songs by these artists as well as by Queen and U2 has become well known to his audiences across the country.  As a singer and song writer, Jan was one of the top finalists in prestigeous competitions „ Bohemia Talent“ and „Zlin Talent“ in 2001. Jan performs mostly with his own band under the name of Jan Vytasek & Blackbirds, which he founded in 2003. The song and the biography book “The Blackbird” of Paul McCartney inspired the band's name, and it has since been known as Jan's personal alter-ego and symbol. His fondness of pop-rock, an appreciation of cabaret, and a regard for rythm were mirrored in the band's early repertoir, but it also included many of his original songs. In recognition of his unique interpretation of Queen songs, the band was invited to perform at the biggest after-party concert of Queen & Paul Rodgers. Over the years, Jan made an number of appearances in various TV shows. His song "I Swear To You", in particular, was chosen by the Czech TV's program featuring young talents, and then made it into various radio stations enjoying great acclaim. 

Despite engagement with the band, his performances on the musical scene remained mostly solo. He kept trying his hand in various musicals, cabarets, cafes and clasical concerts in the Czech Republic. He often played at the Prague’s prestigious piano-bar Rhapsody for devoted audiences as well ambassadors and other influential visitors including the British Prime Minister and the Czech President. As a singer, composer and an actor, Jan participated in a musical play The Hammer for Witches bringing to life its main character, Rake Marquee. Original songs that Jan wrote for the play, “One more Chance to Give” and “Foolish Things”  as well as the already well known „I Swear to You” became the centrepiece of the play‘s sound track. Meanwhile, he also managed to secure small parts in movies like ”Van Helsing”, “First Daughter”, ”Charles II.”, as well as in several commercials. 

Year 2006 started with his recognition as a registered author with OSA (Protective Federation of Authors). Soon after, Jan left behind most of these diverse activities and concentrated on returning to his pop-rock roots and presentation of his own songs, many of them in English according to his natural English music roots and due to his fans abroad. Less than two years later, he released a new single titled „Lost and Found“ and announced an upcoming album in 2008. In May 2008, due to the popularity of his newly released singles, he was invited to perform at the international festival “Carpathia” in Poland,- first as a no-name guest and the next year as a guest star. He also performed in Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Slovakia and England.

Lost And Found - The Album

In autumn of 2008, Jan returned to the studio and completed his newest album, appropriately called “Lost and Found”. The CD was produced by a small independent label, Good Day Records, in December 2008. The album carries through pop-rock vibes, and the influence of Jan's early childhood idols is evident. It is worth noting Jan's versatility and passion for detail; besides being the author of the music and lyrics, he provided musical arrangements and programming for the CD production, and recorded most of the musical instruments. He simply wanted to be involved in every aspect as he wanted it to be conceptually beautiful. “Lost and Found” is a pop-rock album with mainly English lyrics, which besides having rythmic rock guitar rifts, has plenty of ballads that pull at the heartstrings. Above all, the CD shows the author's originality with his heart-felt message inspired by his life story and experiences, which, in his own words, make up 90% of the album.