VERVA
About
Verva is a Czech jazz quartet featuring Michal Grombiřík, Hynek Čejka, Daniel Kéry and Marek Žemla. Their distinctive sound arises from the fusion of cimbalom, electric guitar, double bass and drums, blending traditional folk elements and jazz with an ambient touch. Verva’s music has drawn comparisons to artists such as Bill Frisell and Mathias Eick.
The quartet gained wider recognition in 2023 after winning the “Best Original Composition” award for their track Apogee at the New Faces of Slovak Jazz competition in Bratislava.
Michal Grombiřík – cimbalom
Daniel Kéry – electric guitar
Marek Žemla – double bass
Hynek Čejka – drums
Russafa Archives
In 2025, Verva signed with Disrupción Records to record their debut album Russafa Archives at Berklee College of Music. The album was recorded in Valencia with guest musicians from Berklee and released in October 2025.
Reviews
“For me, the music of Verva represents an artful integration of Czech folk melodies and instrumentation within the American musical context. Cimbalom player Michal Grombiřík is a distinctive presence in the Czech crossover and jazz scene, whose instrument mastery and profound passion for music infuse Verva with remarkable energy and originality.”
— Vilém Spílka, Executive and Artistic Director of Jazz Fest Brno, Programme Director of the Jazz Department at Janáček Academy of Performing Arts