HASLAM / HUBBACK / MUjAČiĆ / LÁSKA & Co. i8 -- CZ concerts

GEORGE HASLAM & Co. 2o18 

impro~free~jazz~evenings (UK/WALES/BOSNiA/SK/CZ)

GEORGE HASLAM ~ baritone sax, tarogato

STEVE HUBBACK ~ drums, gongs, cymbals

AiDA MUjAČiĆ ~ piano, keyboards, voice

JOZEF LÁSKA ~ bass

7.6. NÁŠ KLUB, Husinecká 29, Prague, 21:00

+ VOJTĚCH HAVEL ~ violoncello, MiCHAL HRUBÝ ~ clarinets & saxes

facebook.com/events/199219804208104

8.6. ZÁZEMÍ, Bartolomějská 13, Prague, 21:00

+ JAROSLAV KOŘÁN ~ percussion, LUAN GONCALVES ~ bass

facebook.com/events/216587922434056

9.6. NOUTONiCE 15, Lichoceves, 20:00

+ possible various guests -- cancelled

10.6. PONAVA, Lužánecká 3, Brno, 20:30

+ VOJTĚCH HAVEL ~ violoncello

facebook.com/events/2013412625576048

www.georgehaslam.com
www.stevehubback.nl
http://havlovi.wz.cz

Britský freejazzový cestovatel a dobrodruh George Haslam (ročník 1939), hráč na barytonsaxofon a tarogato a také vlastník vydvatelství Slam Productions, přijíždí začátkem června znovu do České republiky. Odehraje tři koncerty v průběžně se vyvíjejícím improvizačním kvartetu, tvořeném hudebníky, které potkal při minulých návštěvách Čech (jinak už léta pravidelně hraje s kolegy třeba v Argentině, Řecku, Itálii, Mexiku, Ukrajině, Finsku a dalších zemích a k jeho spoluhráčům patřili třeba Mal Waldron, Steve Lacy, Borah Bergman, Charlie Mariano, Evan Parker, Lol Coxhill, Paul Rutherford, Elton Dean, Joachim Kuhn, Howard Riley, nebo Arturo Sandoval).

Aktuální kvartet se poprvé sešel v roce 2015 při příležitosti Free Jazz Festivalu Praha a tvoří jej umělecký kovář a perkusista Steve Hubback z Walesu, který dříve pobýval i v Praze nebo Reykjavíku. Na své originální kovové objekty, především činely, gongy a různé skulptury nejen sám hraje, ale objednali si je od něj i věhlasní kolegové jako Nick Mason, Paolo Vinnacia, Marilyn Mazur nebo Audun Kleive. Steve má na kontě řadu vlastních alb, ať už čistě sólových nebo ve spolupráci s dalšími hudebníky jako Trevor Taylor (perkusista a majitel labelu FMR), saxofonista Ad Peijnenburg, bubeník Paal Nilssen-Love nebo saxofonista Theo Travis (Gong, Soft Machine, Cipher, Travis-Fripp). Hraje také s německou hráčkou na keltskou harfu Nadiou Birkenstock.

"Českou" část kvarteta tvoří Aida Mujačić, rodačka z Bosny, kde studovala klavír, hudební teorii a zpěv. Ve studiu pokračovala v Praze v oboru Hudební věda na FFUK se zaměřením na etnomuzikologii a působí v řadě formací, především v oblastech world music a volné improvizace (např. Korjen, Fez, Dark Astral), poslední dobou vystupuje také s legendou českého jazzu Jiřím Stivínem. Aktivní je také v řadě sólových projektů a na poli vzdělávání i muzikoterapie.

Kontrababasista a baskytarista Jozef Láska začal svá hudební studia v rodné Žilině, v Praze se potom v roce 2002 poprvé setkal s Georgem Haslamem. V posledních letech je častým účastníkem improvizačních performancí k němým filmům pod kuratelou Pavla Straky a dále příležitostně působí v několika alternativně-rockových formacích a improvizačním projektu MaraTons. Jozef Láska mimo jiné používá také vlastnoručně vyrobený elektrický kontrabas.

Na dvou koncertech, v Našem klubu na Žižkově (bývalý Baryton) a v brněnské Ponavě bude hostem kvarteta cellista Vojtěch Havel, známý spíše z oblasti ambientní hudby. Pro první koncert v Našem klubu přislíbil účast také saxofonista a klarinetista Michal Hrubý, o den později v Klubovně Zázemí bude hrát také perkusista Jaroslav Kořán, který se s Haslamem potkal už při jeho první návštěvě Čech.

10. FREE JAZZ FESTiVAL PRAHA 2o15

https://www.facebook.com/events/922712071142345/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1619157205039618/

8. Free Jazz Festival Praha 2o13 & more

www.jmw.cz

Nijak nezahálí ani série komorních klubových koncertů Stimul Nights, která na podzim také představí zajímavá jména. Hned 24. září se v rezidenčním prostoru Stimul Nights - Café v lese - představí švédský saxofonista a improvizátor Mats Gustafsson se svým žhavým power jazz triem Fire! Vykřičník v názvu švédského tria není planou chlapáckou nadsázkou, ale vcelku střízlivým náznakem toho, co posluchače čeká. Fire! se pyšní drtivou rytmikou rozvíjející hypnotické, repetitivní figury poučené krautrockem i dubem, nad nimiž Gustafsson spřádá divoké improvizace na saxofon, fender piano a elektroniku. Fire! 27. října pak vystoupí v Café v lese poprvé v Praze Zbigniew Karkowski, jeden z nejvlivnějších současných skladatelů elektronické hudby. Spojuje světy současné skladby a industriální hudby a je klíčovou postavou pro vývoj náročnějších forem noise music. Vaše sluchovody budou rozhodně stimulovány!

www.stimul-festival.cz

fREEdAZE o11 preview

George Haslam & Co. ° free~jazz~adventures

GEORGE HASLAM {Oxfordshire} ~ baritone saxophone & tarogato

STEFANO PASTOR {Genova} ~ violin

JOZEF LÁSKA {Žilina / Praga} ~ bass guitar & upright electric bass

STEVE HUBBACK {Wales / Prague} ~ percussions

& various guests

WED OCT 19 ~  k4 Klub, Celetná 2o
inviting TEMBRYO improvising trio

THU OCT 20 ~ Jazz Time, Krakovská 19
inviting CYRiLLE OSWALD, saxes etc. & VOJTĚCH HAVEL, cello (CZ)

FRi OCT 21 ~ Dolský Mlýn, Noutonice 15, 2o:oo

SAT OCT 22 ~ ArtSpace Řetízek, Řetězová 7, 19:3o

SUN OCT 23 ~ Club Kino, Fügnerova 263, Černošice
inviting VOJTĚCH HAVEL, cello (CZ)

TUE OCT 25 ~ Café v lese, Krymská 12
inviting VRÁŤA BRABENEC, alto sax & clarinet




Stefano Pastor e Silvia Bolognesi @ Umbria Jazz Winter # 18

some associated music U can find at www.SLAMPRODUCTiONS.net

Music Stimuli & Top 7 albums of Czech jazz 2o1o

Stimul Festival 2o11 - May 9th, May 13th (Stian Westerhus @ Archa theatre)...

Den Evropy - free festival at Old Town Square on May 9th, also in Ostrava

Among others, there will be special line-up of singers Lenka Dusilová & Dorota Barová with members of Vertigo from 7PM at Staromák ;D

Free improvisation electro-acoustic duo Christof Kurzmann & Crys Cole plays as part of Jazz Meets World series on May 12th at www.skolska28.cz. Concert starts early enough to catch beginning of Soft Machine Legacy at Lucerna Music Bar... :7)  Before it you can listen to my radio programme on Soft Machine, made before their Prague concert back in 2oo8.

On May 11 & 12, trio of American pianist Aaron Goldberg with Reginal Veal (bass) and Gregory Hutchinson (drums) is playing at Jazz Dock. I heard recently his album Worlds (Sunnyside 2oo6) with top class colleagues, bassist Reuben Rogers and master drummer Eric Harland, which contains very inventive composing and playing within so-called modern jazz tradition. His current bandmates are no less of high profile and Gregory has good link to Czech jazz, as he is playing on NY date It's About Time (Animal Music 2o1o) with NajPonk (Fender Rhodes) and Ondřej Pivec (Hammond organ). Album was awarded with annual Angel prize in jazz & blues category for last year by Czech Academy of Popular Music.

On Wednesday, May 11th, there is also interesting concert at Kaštan club. French sax / bass / drums jazz punk trio Les Yeux de la Tête (in fact they are doing whole Czech tour recently, check their MySpace profile via hyperlink in case of interest) will be preceeded on stage of very friendly place at Prague Břevnov district by Skrytý půvab byrokracie (or Hidden Charm of Beaurocracy), alternative rock unit including now Jan Faix of Tembryo on synths & beats.

On Friday, May 13th, at Jazz Dock will be launched first solo project by Jaryn Janek, prolific bass guitar player of Czech jazz, rock and pop scene. Now Jaryn introduces himself as composer of very nice and listener-friendly overgenre songs via album Ty lidi (These People, released by Indies Scope), on which he gathered impressive cast of players and mostly female singers. All Martina Fišerová, Lenka Dusilová, Marek Dusil, Markéta Foukalová of Lanugo, Dorota Barová, Jana Šteflíčková and Eva Turnová of Plastic People of the Universe and E-turnity promised to be there. Such a lovely company, which can turn Friday the 13th into pleasant evening!

What i missed here was impro-ambient evening at Charles University student club K4 on May 9th, but funnily enough i was there by complete coincidence. Great performances, especially by Vertigo pianist Vojtěch Procházka (2 early evening concerts of  his own jazz trio with former Norweigian schoolmates at Jazz Dock on May 18 & 19) and visual artist / sound manipulator Martin Blažíček. So many things happening now in Prague, if it will continue this way, we will have our own Freedom Of The City festival here soon ;7D  Now, watch also for Bards of Bohemia dance, music & poetry evening in Celetná 20 with Zdenka Trvalcová & Michal Stulík, Damonica and Samuel Hain of Cain da Breth, Steve Hubback, Gela Poshikova and Morianne.

***

My Top 7 albums of CZ jazz & impro 2o1o:

TOMÁŠ HOBZEK - Stick It Out (Animal Music)
Cyrille Oswald – tenor sax, Dan Tepfer - piano, Tomáš Liška - double bass, Tomáš Hobzek - drums.


When i listened to this album first i forgot completely that was made near Prague. And adventure keeps continuing with Tomáš, Tomáš and Cyrille ~ i dont know Dan much yet. Overall feeling is much like smart modern acoustic jazz, not without intuition. Watch them.

ONDŘEJ ŠTVERÁČEK QUARTET - What's Outside (Cube-Metier)
Ondřej Štveráček - tenor sax, Ondrej Krajňák - piano, Tomáš Baroš - double bass, Marián Ševčík - drums, Radek Němejc - percussion on Three For Kate, Africa and Get Out Of Town.
Keep meeting Ondřej since years ago, when he played middle period Coltrane almost exclusively. Since then, he found ideal bandmates in Slovakia. His first project as a leader is, no wonder, traneing in straight ahead ;b  Central piece of the album is famous Africa, not to mention beautiful ballads. Once, at Jazz Černošice, Ondřej's quartet used Luboš Šrámek on electric keyboard instead of Ondrej K on acoustic, and it was a different kind of blue. 
Otherwise, these guys  are funniest partners at the bar after the show and did also Jazz at Prague Castle live album (Multisonic 2o11), which has one major minus ~ it is too short.


TEMBRYO (Fluidum Records)
Jan Faix - piano, synths; Filip Černý - guitar, live electronics; Jan Kyncl - tenor sax.
Released as free mp3 download and limited edition on USB key in 1o pcs of originally designed big safety matches boxes. 
First class european free improvisation in more acoustic setting than are their actual performances. Try it ;;;

VOJTĚCH PROCHÁZKA TRiO - Amoeba's Dance (Animal Music) 
Vojtěch Procházka - piano; Adrian Fiskum Myhr - double bass; Tore T. Sandbakken - drums.

Trio launched during Vojta's studies in Oslo with former schoolmates. Original compositions plus pieces by Herbie Nichols, Kurt Weill, Paul Motian and Ornette Coleman. On their concerts, they are actually mostly improvising, as you can hear on Procházka's MySpace. And this albums has one of most enjoyable cover arts in Animal Music catalogue.

POiNTS (Animal Music) 
Luboš Soukup - tenor and soprano saxes, clarinet, vocal; Miroslav Hloucal - trumpet and flugelhorn, kalimba; Tomáš Liška - double bass; Tomáš Hobzek – drums and percussion. Guests: Petr Kalfus - alto and soprano saxes; Marcel Bárta – bass clarinet; Jan Jirucha Jr. – trombone; Dorota Barová - vocal; Milan Cimfe - percussion.

I also like their live album from Jazz Getxo (Errabal 2oo9)

... tbc ...

And a DOT to round and shape this furure :7)

JiŘí STiVíN & COLLEGiUM QUODLIBET Journeys Deep Into Musical Past (Arta Records)

This album is not from 2o1o, but i was listening to it a lot during last year and it has timeless qualities. Stivín’s newest major studio project incorporates perfectly (jazz) improvisation with ancient music, using medieval and renaissance songs, trained singers, old instruments and percussionist Alan Vitouš. 

[ bought it from artist’s shops or, at least, do not pay stealers ]

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.