Verva just released their debut album. Go check it out
Brno-based jazz quartet Verva presents debut Russafa Archives: an album born at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Valencia
A fusion of cimbalom and jazz, a dreamy, ambient sound, and original compositions by all band members. This sonic symbiosis forms the foundation of Russafa Archives, the debut album by jazz quartet Verva. The album was recorded in April 2025 at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Valencia, in collaboration with students from the local campus, and released under the Morana Records label.
From left to right: Cristian Chiaburu (bass), Michal Grombiřík (cimbalom), Daniel Kéry (guitar), Hynek Čejka (drums)
Photo: Fran McKenzie
Verva is known for its distinctive sound, blending jazz tradition with the modern, personal expression of each member. Their original compositions intertwine elements of jazz and experimentation. The band consists of Michal Grombiřík (cimbalom), Hynek Čejka (drums), Daniel Kéry (guitar), and Marek Žemla (double bass).
Vilém Spilka, artistic director of JazzFest Brno and head of the Department of Jazz Interpretation at JAMU, praised the group's innovative approach to combining cimbalom and jazz:
"For me, Verva’s music is a tasteful incorporation of local folk melodies and instrumentation into the context of American music. Cimbalom player Michal Grombiřík is a rare phenomenon on the Czech crossover and jazz scene, bringing both energy and distinctiveness to Verva through his instrument and his passion for music."
Verva gained wider recognition in 2023 when the composition Apogee (by D. Kéry) won an award at the New Faces of Slovak Jazz competition in Bratislava. In 2025, they signed a deal with Morana Records to record their debut album at Berklee College of Music.
The album features five original compositions and one track by guest Moldovan bassist Cristian Chiaburu. Musicians from Berklee had a significant influence on the record’s sound as well, including vocalist Auriyan Tillman (US), pianist Gavin Rushing (US), clarinetist Luca Bordonaro (IT), and sound engineers Zachary Scheffler (US), Jose Esteban Esquivel (CR), Jeries Babish (PS), and Aleksandra Tasić (RS).
“What struck me the most was the openness and dedication of the local students and faculty. Even while working on their own projects, they were willing to devote their time and energy, from rehearsals and recording to postproduction and marketing. I’m taking away a strong sense of creative freedom, enthusiasm, and joy from the experience,” says Hynek Čejka about the collaboration with Berklee students.
The project was made possible through the initiative of Anežka Pokorná (Morana Records, GEMB Berklee) and the Disrupción Records team, who supported the album’s international scope. It was financially supported by a grant from OSA, the R. Firkušný Foundation, and the Berklee Diversity Grant.
