Biography
Following the conclusion of World War II, Ken Sykora established himself as a prominent presence on British radio stations, recognized not merely as a leading jazz guitarist of his era but equally as a distinguished presenter who contributed frequently to various BBC services. His birth occurred in London on April 13, 1923, as the offspring of a Swiss-German countess who had eloped with a Czech cavalry officer. While pursuing geography studies at Cambridge, he also founded the Cambridge University Band Society. After securing a science qualification from the London School of Economics, he served as an intelligence officer throughout the conflict and subsequently taught in London's east end. Nighttime performances took him to venues such as Murray's Cabaret Club, and in 1951 he assembled his own ensemble while appearing with Ted Heath at the London Palladium and with Geraldo at the Stoll Theatre. Melody Maker readers voted him Britain's foremost guitarist for five consecutive years in their annual poll, leading the BBC to engage him for presentations on Jazz Club and Jazz Band Ball. He originated the Guitar Club series, which produced matching EPs, and his growing profile encompassed hosting duties on Those Record Years, Album Time, Big Band Sound, and Radio Three's Jazz Digest. He wrote and delivered Radio One's first Plain Musician's Guide to the History of Pop and devised Be My Guest, which welcomed international figures including Bing Crosby, Count Basie, and Andrés Segovia. Television work followed on the BBC, ATV, and Angila networks, while his writing appeared in the British music press as well as travel and wine magazines. Radio nevertheless remained his preferred medium; he directed early stereo experiments and deployed radio cars for location broadcasts. Abrupt resignation from You and Yours and Start the Week in 1972 prompted relocation of his family to Scotland to operate a hotel. The enterprise's demands led him to sell the property after five years, whereupon he returned to full-time broadcasting on the new Radio Clyde network with Serendipity with Sykora. He advanced to head of features, overseeing community series such as Clyde Action, School Scene, and Over-Fifties Club. For BBC Radio Scotland, 1978's Eater's Digest earned him a Glenfiddich Award for best radio program. In the early 1980s he began tapering his on-air activities, although he still performed guitar occasionally at clubs near his Scottish home. Diz Disley and Martin Taylor joined other musicians for an all-star tribute concert marking his 80th birthday in 2003. He died on March 7, 2006.