More free festivals

I almost missed it - 7th annual BOHEMiA JAZZ FEST at historic squares of eight Czech and Moravian cities between July 10 and 22: 3 days in Prague features Miroslav Hloucal Quartet (winner of JazzPrix 2o12) on 10th, MiKE STERN / RiCHARD BONA BAND on 11th, and Spanish duo LLAMA or saxophone quartet ARTVARK from Holland on 12th July. Probably the biggest act will be DAVE HOLLAND PRiSM QUARTET with Kevin Eubanks (guitar), Craig Taborn (piano) and Eric Harland (drums) in Plzeň on Friday, July 13th. Next Saturday in Domažlice offers saxophonist's MACiEJ SIKALA organ trio from Poland or THE BAKER SUiTE duo from Austria. Olomouc on July 17th will see American singer DEE DEE BRiDGEWATER with her Tribute to Billie Holiday, which she presented also on last year's Strings of Autumn festival, or BASTiAN STEiN QUARTET from Austria. Main star on Náměstí Svobody in Brno on July 19 will be indian-born percussionist TRiLOK GURTU, who did breathtaking solo show in České Budějovice last year. In Tábor next day, we can see Swedish piano legend BOBO STENSON and Czech guitar legend LUBOŠ ANDRŠT with his band and special guest, festival's founder and president, guitarist RUDY LiNKA. High-profile line up is prepared also for České Budějovice. Along Bobo Stenson in another solo spot, evening on July 21 will be highligted by DAVE DOUGLAS & JOE LOVANO QUiNTET SOUND PRiNTS, featuring Joey Baron on drums. Closing evening in Prachatice on July 22 will bring MiROSLAV HLOUCAL QUARTET again, and from Norway, pianist's DAG ARNESEN QUARTET featuring PALLE MiKELBORG on trumpet. All in all, a feasting of mainly acoustic jazz of various origin. See full programme including personnel and links on festival's website.

Classic & prog rock oriented ZADARMOFEST continues with second evening of its 2nd edition on Thursday, July 19. Being newly moved to Pražan open air restaurant at Výstaviště, Praha Holešovice, four acts will enter stage from 6 PM: New trio version of RED BARON BAND, blues & cover "supergroup" KULHÁNEK - HOLEČEK - RAZíM - KOWACZ, usual festival stallwarts SiLENT SESSiON and singer / songwriter OSKAR PETR, who celebrated his 60th birthday some months ago. Third concert of Zadarmofest is planned for August 30th.