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he old-time country band Stará Almara (Old Cupboard) is a reflection of long-passed events, a chequered mosaic of tiny fragments from the era of settlement of the „Promised Land“. In a while it will take the contemporary listener to the times of plain home singing and playing music, but also exuberant country hops in barns and under the open sky. Stará Almara has many buoyant stories, a rich stock of piteous, long-forgotten ballads and unchained melodies for the pleasure of your dance-hungry feet.


All that was here at the beginning was the unusual enthusiasm of Martin Žák. He was enchanted not only by American folk music in its pure form, but also by the dust-covered atmosphere and beauty of old times. He has also started to look for authentic musical instruments and gather information on how the first settlers and mountaineers lived in America. Then he transformed their everyday stories in his own lyrics. As time went by, Martin’s instruments and songs grew in numbers. He sang not only about settlers and their brave wives, but also about sailors, pirates, preachers, black slaves, civil war soldiers, hobos, cowboys, outlaws, farmers, plain workers, railroaders, lumber-jacks and other heroes of the old ages.


One day a group of enthusiasts came together and swiftly acquired the name of Stará Almara; another of Martin’s dreams coming true. On the personnel side, Stará Almara has gone through several changes. What remains is unique attitude of its creator Martin Žák and his ideas that still take on many forms in Stará Almara.


Enough chatter for now, fiddler of Stará Almara is just starting his routine…

Original (now changed) roster of STARÁ ALMARA (from left to right):
Jirka Borovička – fiddle, vocals; Zdeněk Jelínek – double bass, vocals; Denda Žáková – guitar, vocals; Martin Žák – various five string-banjos, autoharp, mountain dulcimer, vocals…

We offer you original programs with traditional country music and period instruments targeted at clubs, schools, summer camps etc., as well as concerts, festival shows, music for museums and open-air living history museums, musical lessons and seminars. See more information with video click here.