Vladimir Molotkov Guitar player Date of Birth: 09.04.1947 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Vladimir Molotkov
2. Early Years in the Music Industry
3. Joining Anatoly Kroll's Orchestra
4. Jazz Album Release
5. Jazz Educator

Biography of Vladimir Molotkov

On December 23, it was announced that the renowned musician and educator, guitarist Vladimir Molotkov, had passed away in Kiev. His body was found in his apartment, and it appears that he died from a heart attack several days earlier.

Early Years in the Music Industry

Vladimir Alexeyevich Molotkov (born on April 9, 1947) began his journey in jazz in the early 60s. He started his career in the entertainment orchestra of Ukrconcert shortly before his 16th birthday, and over the next seven years, he experienced everything that could be expected of a touring concert musician.

Joining Anatoly Kroll's Orchestra

In 1969, Molotkov joined the orchestra led by Anatoly Kroll, which was one of the most progressive and professional jazz orchestras in the Soviet Union at the time (Tula/Zaoksky Big Band).

Jazz Album Release

In 1978, Molotkov released the jazz album "Lyrical Mood" through the Kiev branch of the "Melodia" label. This was the first jazz record in Ukraine. However, Molotkov was dissatisfied with the recording process, as it was done hastily, in between other studio sessions, and without a bassist. Initially, he had to record the rhythm section himself, including playing the bass. The guitar parts and solos were then recorded over this, which went against the concept of "jazziness" in recording and did not contribute to the collective sound.

Jazz Educator

In addition to his performance career, Molotkov was widely known as a jazz educator. Since the establishment of the Estrada-Jazz Department at the Glier Kiev Institute of Music in 1980, he taught jazz guitar and nurtured a whole generation of musicians. One of his notable students is the well-known Russian fusion guitarist Igor Boyko. Molotkov authored several instructional books that were essential for young guitarists across the post-Soviet space, particularly in the absence of other textbooks, especially Western ones. These include "Jazz Improvisation on the Guitar" (Musychna Ukraina, 1983), "Jazz Improvisation on the Six-String Guitar" (Musychna Ukraina, 1989), and "Arrangement for Guitar" (Kreshchatyk, 1997 - this book was published in independent Ukraine).