Fragment (14)

Fragment was founded in Bratislava, Slovak Republic (former Czechoslovakia) in 1983. The band quite fast gained its recognition on the Czechoslovak bluegrass scene. In the nearly twenty years of its existence, the band has seen many musicians and musical styles to come and go – from newgrass to new acoustic music and bluegrass. There was even a period of inactivity, but in 1993 the band was reformed. Svata Kotas on the banjo,an experienced guitar player Emil Formanek, and a former member Henrich Novak were the nucleus of the band. The band´s bass player Jiri Pola spread his activities in two bluegrass bands at the same time, Fragment, and Poutnici. With the arrival of singer Jana Dolakova (formerly of the Grasshoppers) a new era started forthe band. Jana has been the only female singer in the band's history. After one year of playing together the band released the first album, „SundayAfternoon" (UMG, 1994, with English lyrics). It brought a recognition to the band on the home bluegrass scene (the Recording of the Year), and most importantly, it was this album which was responsible for the opportunity to play at IBMA Showcasen Owensboro, KY, in 1995 In 1998, the band placed 1st at SPBGMA European Bluegrass Band Championship held in Vienna, Austria. Fragment won in the competition of twenty European bluegrass bands. After a success at IBMA in 1999 the band went on a three-week long US tour. This involved performances at The Legends Of Country and Bluegrass Music Festival in Columbia, Mississippi, Bluegrass Harvest Festival in Tuscola, Illinois, and Fan Fest at IBMA World of Bluegrass in Kentucky in 2000. A performance in the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, was a highlight of the tour. In May 2004, shortly before the summer US Tour, Fragment was awarded the #1 EBMA European Bluegrass Band. In June 2005 Fragment's first Live album "Live At Leatherwoods" was released. A couple of months later Fragment's latest album "The Way To Your Heart" hits the streets. I