Adam Pieronczyk / Gary Thomas Quintet plays music of Krzystof Komeda and Mladí ladí jazz or The Young Ones Are Tuning Jazz contest

Quatro Formaggi: Jan Bálek

At Friday, there was first concert of 4 current evenings from The Young Ones Are Tuning Jazz project at Jazz Time in Prague (sorry I forget to mention it in previous week listing). After the set of last year's volume winners, Fanfán Tulipán quintet, who already released their debut album via Czech Radio label Radioservis, first band in competition took place at stage. Fusion quartet Quatro Formaggi from Prague set standards very high and showed virtusity in original compositions, ranked into jazz-rock area occupied by Weather Report and some more latin-funk acts since 70's.

Fliud Culture: Tomáš Bouda, Iva Šulcová

Next was another jazz rock, or more precisely prog quartet Fluid Culture, originated from North Czech, with very fine, unusual original compostions, dense arrangemts and guitar player Tomáš Bouda, who learned a lot from Allan Holdsworth without being a clone. Third band in competition was quartet 4Leaf from East Czech with more traditional jazz sound. First prize include sponsoring from Metropolitan University Prague for realisation of debut album.

Jan Kořínek & Groove

After announcing of winner, or final order of contest (which was, not surprisingly, exactly the same as stage order of bands) and best soloist (drummer Dušan Černák from Quatro Formaggi) due to 5 headed experts / musicians jury, there was nice closing set of hammond drived jazz / blues line-up Jan Kořínek & Groove featuring pianist NajPonk and tenor sax player Osian Roberts.

Mladí ladí jazz project continues in next 3 weeks: on Friday, April 22 at Jazz Republic club (On Line Session, Robert Balzar Trio and French Matmon Jazz by DJ Ordoeuvre), Thursday, April 24 at  Jazzdock (Thea Soti Quartet from Hungary, Lesní zvěř and Slovak AMC Trio with Ruggero Robin from Italy) and on Thursday, May 5 at Divadlo Na Prádle (announcement of contest winners and Metropolitan University Prize, concert of Czech Harmcore and Slovak trumpet player Laco Deczi with his Celula New York band).

This Monaday evening at Jazz Time is dedicated to music of great Polish jazz pianist and film music composer Krzystof Komeda in new arrangements of soprano and tenor sax player Adam Pieronczyk, who co-leads international quintet with his instrument colleague from United States, respected tenor player Gary Thomas. Concert is part of Jazz Meets World series. 

On Wednesday, April 20, improvising Portuguese Open Field String Trio comprised of João Camões (viola), José Miguel Pereira (double bass) and Marcelo dos Reis (nylon string guitar) is playing at K4 club.

Open Field String Trio

Steve Hubback presents Nadia Birkenstock

NADiA BIRKENSTOCK (celtic harp & song) with STEVE HUBBACK (percussion)

April 16, K4 club, Celetná 20, 7:30PM

The leading German folk magazine Folker writes about Nadia Birkenstock that “there should be a law against this: that someone has such a wonderful, pure voice, is able to play the harp like that and on top of it, manages to do both at the same time! And the whole thing in such a relaxed and natural fashion, that you just dream on, delighted, from one song or tune into the next...” The Hessisch-Niedersächsische Allgemeine” in Germany calls her simply “an exceptional artist“ and the French newspaper “Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace” says: “The clarity of her voice, her extraordinary touch and her grace captivate her audience.”

Over the last few years, harpist and singer Nadia Birkenstock has earned herself an excellent reputation as an interpreter of Irish, Scottish and English folksongs.
Her original songs from her latest album “Strange New Land” reveal powerful and expressive music full of luminescence, entwined with lyrics both poetic and sometimes twinkling with humour. Nadia’s distinctive songwriting style reflects a passionate “joie de vivre” and alluring melodies which transport the listener.
Her beautiful, flexible voice forms a magical unity with the soundscapes of her harp. At the same time her excellent harp technique allows her to create intricate arrangements of great variety and finesse. With sonorous bass notes, groovy rhythms, shining arpeggios and crystal clear descant notes, Nadia continues to establish the harp as a singer-songwriter instrument.

Nadia was born in the North-West of Germany and started her vocal training on a 1-year scholarship at Westover School in Connecticut. Afterwards she studied voice at the conservatory of Düsseldorf in Germany and attended harp master classes with Kim Robertson (USA), Bill Taylor (Scotland) and others. During her vocal studies she created her first solo performance program for Celtic harp and voice. This was very successful and Nadia has since appeared to great acclaim in concerts at festivals, folk-clubs, concert halls, churches, castles and many other stunning venues in Central Europe.

http://www.nadiabirkenstock.com/

regarding Steve, percussionist, sound sculptor & metalkymist, check my previous post.

actual freejazz & other jazz in prague

STEVE HUBBACK (percussion) &  AD PEIJNENBURG (saxes)

NEW: Steve will play another duo concert with celtic harp player, singer and songwriter NADIA BIRKENSTOCK from Germany at K4 club on April 16.
www.nadiabirkenstock.com

 
Added concert: 
Café na půl cesty, Central Park Pankrác, Thurdsday 24th February, 8PM. Free admission
Café na půl cesty on Facebook
http://www.prague.net/cafe-na-pul-cesty

K4 Club, Celetná 20, Monday 21st February at 21:00.
K4 @ Last.fm - address & programme

From review of Hubback & Peijnenburg latest album Arrows:

What a great album! Master percussionist and "sound sculpture artist" Steve Hubback meets Dutch minimalist saxophonist Ad Peijnenburg, for eleven varied pieces of highly creative, invigorating and spiritual music. Hubback is not a rhythmic percussionist per se, but is more interested in the sounds coming forth of his many bells, drums and gongs, while in contrast, Peijnenburg is a very rhythmic player, often resorting to repetitive phrases built around a tonal center. ~ freejazz-stef.blogspot.com

www.adpeijnenburg.com
www.stevehubback.com
www.myspace.com/stevehubbackmetalmoves

http://hubgong.dse.nl

http://sites.google.com/site/hubbackmetalcraft

AghaRTA Prague Jazz Festival spring concerts are starting this Wednesday with STEVE LUKATHER BAND at Lucerna Music Bar. Other festival acts include RiCHARD BONA, SOFT MACHiNE (LEGACY) and new JACK DeJOHNETTE GROUP in May.

 On March 2nd, LEE KONITZ QUARTET is announced at Jazz Dock bar & restaurant.

Jazz at Prague Castle is continuing on Tuesday, February 22, with concert of Polish singer AGA ZARYAN & her band, including Czech guitar player David Dorůžka (you can watch filmings of some past Castle events online now on website - choose "záznamy z koncertů" flag), next concert in Jazz Meets World series is trio of young Swiss pianist MARC PERRENOUD at Jazztime club on March 12th, following are another gigs including first Czech appearance of legendary organist and singer AMiNA CLAUDiNE MEYERS in trio with Jerome Harris and Reggie Nicholson on March 19th.