Duo Jamaha: At the Adriatic party / CD + DVD

Originally, they never even thought about playing together. But in the end, father Alfonz Kotvan and son Marián Kotvan joined forces and the duo Jamaha was born. They are now one of TV Šlágr's most popular acts and are a staple at every major event.
Marián and Alfonz Kotvan come from western Slovakia, from the Záhorie region. They have been a musical duo for twelve years now. "My father first played with his colleague, but after many years it wasn't quite working out. I was just finishing music school at the time, so he gave me a try, and that's how it started. And yet I always used to say that I would never play things like folk and entertainment music. But then I fell completely in love with it," says Marián Kotvan.
He admits that when he listens to the first songs he recorded with his father today, he doesn't like them very much. But he thinks the pair have become very well-rehearsed over time. "It kept getting better and reached a point that I'm very happy with. And I'm very glad that the listeners pushed us even further, we've even won several awards," adds Marián Kotvan.
Both father and son play keyboards and sing; Marián Kotvan also plays the drums and Alfonz Kotvan plays the accordion. Their repertoire consists of Czechoslovak folk music, modern songs, and popular hits.
Duo Jamaha is currently experiencing its most successful years. TV Šlágr has been instrumental in this. "We've been performing there for just over a year and it has brought a radical change to our lives. Before, only people from our region knew us, but now we've become known throughout the Czech Republic and all of Slovakia. We feel it a lot, even on the street or in shops where people recognise us," describes Alfonz Kotvan.
The duo has numerous concerts every month, participates in major TV Šlágr events, and even has its own special on television. Thanks to this, Alfonz and Marián Kotvan have also got to know southern Bohemia. "We didn't know this area at all before. The journey takes us three and a half hours, which is quite a trek, but it's worth it," says Marián Kotvan.
The musicians can't deny their family relationship. "We don't look very much alike, I look more like my mum, but we are united by our love for music. At the same time, we know how to tolerate each other. Although we do, of course, disagree on things sometimes, we get along well," adds Marián Kotvan.
They live in the same house because they often need to discuss matters related to music and performing. They also devote a lot of time to rehearsing together. "As soon as we add a new song to the repertoire, we have to rehearse it properly. Sometimes we find that it's not quite right and decide not to play that particular piece," they explain.
Marián Kotvan claims that his father has the final say in the band. However, his father shakes his head at these words. But they both only dedicate their free time to music. Besides their careers in duo Jamaha, they also manage to hold down normal jobs. "So there's no room at all for other hobbies. But for us, music is our hobby, so we're happy," says Alfonz Kotvan.
His wife has also got used to the fact that they have firmly linked their lives with music. She is also the first listener of all their songs and even their fashion
advisor. "She keeps an eye on our wardrobe. We change our shirts a lot, we have a great many of them in our wardrobe, and she always advises us on which ones to wear," says Marián Kotvan. His sister also has a relationship with music. Although she doesn't perform much with her father and brother yet, she joins them with her singing at family celebrations, for example.
In addition to cover songs, duo Jamaha has its own compositions in its repertoire. For instance, they are currently preparing an album for which Marián Kotvan has composed both the music and the lyrics. In the future, they don't even rule out expanding the current duo a little. "We might consider a bigger band, but for now, we're happy as a two-piece," says Marián Kotvan.
Above all, they still enjoy the music and want to continue with it. "We will play together as long as people want us and like us. And it doesn't matter whether they are Czechs or Slovaks," they conclude.

Tracklist

Disc: 1 - CD / Letná láska / Na párty jadranskej / La Paloma / Poslední valčík / Raz tu, raz tam / Kdo tě líbá / Stříbrný měsíc (Sail Along, Silv'ry Moon) / Dajána / Biela pláž / Ruku hore dám - Duo Jamaha a Tom Mandl / Cesta za piesňou / Nemám rád loučení / Perfektný flám / Kaplnka / Veselá dedinka / Tanz mit mir heut' Nacht - Duo Jamaha and Tom Mandl / Disc: 2 - DVD / Letná láska / Na párty jadranskej / La Paloma / Poslední valčík / Raz tu, raz tam / Kdo tě líbá / Stříbrný měsíc (Sail Along, Silv'ry Moon) / Dajána / Biela pláž / Ruku hore dám - Duo Jamaha a Tom Mandl / Cesta za piesňou / Nemám rád loučení / Perfektný flám / Kaplnka / Veselá dedinka / Tanz mit mir heut' Nacht - Duo Jamaha and Tom Mandl