The Czech-born George Mraz is one of the best-known bassists worldwide and built a career in the States. He has credits on almost 1,000 records and CDs. There is as good as no big name in jazz that he hasn’t made music with. The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Stan Getz, Tommy Flanagan and Richie Beirach were his most important regular partners. “George plays the bass like he invented it. He always plays exactly the note you want to hear,” said pianist Beirach about him once.