Karel Vlach

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Karel Vlach (October 8, 1911 – February 26, 1986) was a Czech dance orchestra leader and arranger. He recorded prolifically with Supraphon and his output includes both light classical and orchestral as well as jazz and pop arrangements for big band with strings. He also arranged and conducted many Czech film scores from 1940 to 1980. He launched the singing careers of Czech artists Yvetta Simonova (whom he married) and Milan Chladil in 1958. He and his musical colleagues Dalibor Brazda and Gustav Brom also arranged and recorded many titles for British singer Gery Scott in the late 1950's, mostly from what is now termed the American Songbook series. Many of these titles are now collectors items.