Jaromír Hnilička (11 February 1932, Bratislava - 7 December 2016, Brno) was a Czech trumpeter, composer, arranger and teacher, inseparably linked to the Gustav Brom Orchestra, of which he was a member from 1956 until his death - a record entered in the Czech Book of Records. He composed over 150 works, with his Missa Jazz (1969) earning international recognition across Western Europe and the Vatican in the 1970s. He also invented the hnilophones, an original four-body brass hybrid he unveiled at the Prague International Jazz Festival in 1971.
Missa Jazz performed by Moravia Big Bandu Zábřeh and the Amate choir was performed in the monastery church in Šumperku.
Czech Radio Vltava broadcast a program dedicated to the unattained ninetieth birthday of Jaromír Hniličky, prepared by Jan Dalecký.
The first studio recording of the extended version of Missa Jazz performed by B-Side Bandu, Chamber Orchestra Brno and the Ars Brunensis choir under the direction of Dana Kalousek (publisher Bujoart) was released.
On the meadow at U Buku in Bílovice, the Jaromír Hnilička Bench was unveiled on the 80th anniversary of the start of the Gustav Brom Orchestra's activities.
In 2012, Missa Jazz represented Brno in Leipzig at the celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the Church of St. Thomas and the 40th anniversary of the partnership between Brno and Leipzig.
