Inseparably connected with Martinů’s Parisian years is his fascination for jazz, elements of which he employed in various works written between 1923-30. The first two movements of the Jazz Suite were composed in June 1928 and performed in Baden-Baden, the other two movements following later in the same year; the complete suite was first performed in Frankfurt. Publication remained forthcoming: Universal Edition (1928) and Schott (1930) showed no interest, and only in 1966 did the composer’s widow reach agreement with Panton. Unfortunately, the cello part was for inexplicable reasons omitted in the 1970 edition, both in score and parts. The manuscript (controlled by the Martinu Foundation in Prague) clearly dictates a cello in all movements, except for the second one.
This Jazz Suite – now as a Schott Edition – has been performed and recorded ever since in this mutilated version. The 2011 Ebony Band performance is therefore a CD world premiere.
Schott Music knows about this ommission, but didn't do anything about it, they still rent the material without a cello!