GigTips: August 2011

There are so many jazz gigs in Prague that it would be impossible to list all the good ones, even with careful selection to weed out the routine and the mundane. Instead we offer you a handful of gigs each month that we feel could be of special interest.

August's best gig is likely to be at Jazz Dock on 5/8: Karel Růžička jr. will once again be joining his father's Trio for a very special night of music. According to the Czech Jazz Society's website this gig will be recorded, so expect excellence and an electric atmosphere. Růžička jr. is one of those players who has to be seen (and heard!) to be believed – a master of the saxophone. Be there if you can.

Also at Jazz Dock you can see Latin singer Marta Töpferová (11/8), visiting from NYC and playing with her regular Czech associates David Dorůžka and Tomáš Liška. Robert Balzar plays there with his Trio on 19/8, and after hearing them play in July we can confirm that they are on top form at the moment, brimming with new ideas and new music.

If the weather blesses the weekend of 6-7/8 then there's a great chance to see some of Prague's best bands for free in Old Town Square. AghaRTA are holding their annual Jazz Week, including the now traditional two day outdoor festival. Full details are available on their website but for us the essential acts to see are the Luboš Andršt Group (6/8 at 16:30) and the extremely energetic Rhythm Desperados (7/8 at 16:30).

If our Libor Šmoldas review has got you curious then Libor is in action at U Malého Glena on 4/8. Glen's is a very small club so reservation is essential if you want to be anywhere near the front and not stuck outside in the bar. Libor will also be playing guitar in his wife's Latin outfit, Zeurítia, at Reduta on 22/8. Finally for this month, the always excellent Emil Viklický will be at Reduta on 12/8. If you want to learn a little more about Emil before you see him then please do check out his extensive interview here.

Club programmes are subject to change so it is best to check with the venue, and don't forget to make a reservation to be sure of a good seat. If you go to any of the gigs listed here please let us know what you thought, and please do tell the venue that you saw the gig tipped on Prague Jazz.

GigTips: July 2011

There are so many jazz gigs in Prague that it would be impossible to list all the good ones, even with careful selection to weed out the routine and the mundane. Instead we offer you a handful of gigs each month that we feel could be of special interest.

At AghaRTA Jazz Centrum this month you can catch many of the biggest and most influential names in Czech jazz. Guitar wizard Luboš Andršt will be in action on 10/7 and 11/7, followed by pianist Emil Viklický on 12/7. Trumpeter Michal Gera (30/7) and saxophonist František Kop (5/7) are also playing there, reaffirming AJC’s reputation for quality acts that would be respected on any stage around the world. They will be joined by one of the best young players on the scene, pianist Matěj Benko, on 29/9.

If Latin is your thing then do take the chance to see the Yvonne Sanchez Band at Jazz Dock on 13/7 and 14/7. The Polish-Cuban singer, who received very positive reviews for her My Garden album, is an accomplished performer with an enchanting voice. Another great jazz vocalist is Elena Sonenshine, who recently guested at the President’s birthday concert: she’s at Jazz Dock on 3/7 and at Reduta on 24/7.

Finally, don’t forget our recent interviewees. Karel Růžička jr. is over from NYC in July and you can catch him at any of the following gigs:

15.7. - U Maleho Glena
22.7. - U Maleho Glena
25.7.- Jazz Dock
28.7. - La Boca

Rene Trossman's July gigs are listed at the bottom of his interview earlier in this edition.

If you go to any of the gigs listed here please let us know what you thought, and please do tell the venue that you saw the gig tipped on Prague Jazz.

GigTips: June 2011

There are so many jazz gigs in Prague that it would be impossible to list all the good ones, even with careful selection to weed out the routine and the mundane. Instead we offer you a handful of gigs each month that we feel could be of special interest.

If you enjoyed last month's videos of Piňa co. & Lada then you can catch them live at Balbínova poetická hospůdka on 3/6. "Balbínka" is a tiny music club in the heart of the city, and most definitely not a tourist or expat hangout. Acting like a tourist or an expat will win you nothing but curious stares. It's a great little place to see live music and well worth a visit, even if it does have the most miserable barman alive. If you enjoy the Balbinka experience you may want to return there on 17/6 to see Prague's resident Chicago bluesman Rene Trossman.

Should you want to visit another iconic Czech music venue, and indeed see an iconic Czech band, then you can go to Malostranská beseda on 28/6 to see Jan Spálený & ASPM. ASPM are more of a blues outfit, but some of the names associated with the band (Michal Gera, Radek Krampl, Pavel Razím) should be familiar to all local jazz fans.

There are exciting things happening at Jazz Dock in June for fans of great music and great thrift alike. František Uhlíř plays there on 5/6 with KUK (Kagerer/Uhlíř/Knod). František, commonly referred to as "the Paganini of the bass" is one of the legends of the Czech jazz scene and any project that he is involved with is sure to be worth investigating. Jazz Dock will also be acting as a stage for the United Islands of Prague festival, where admission is free and acts include the excellent Matěj Benko Quintet (25/6) and the Kalfus / Doležal Quartet (24/6).

If you're a foot tapping, beard stroking jazz fan who knows when to clap, and you fancy adding some atmosphere to the President's 70th birthday party, then the details of the next Jazz at the Castle are below:

Finally for June, if after reading this month's album review you're keen to experience the Ondřej Štveráček Quartet then they'll be playing at Jazz Time on 9/6 and 14/6.

If you go to any of the gigs listed here please let us know what you thought, and please do tell the venue that you saw the gig tipped on Prague Jazz.

GigTips: May 2011

There are so many jazz gigs in Prague that it would be impossible to list all the good ones, even with careful selection to weed out the routine and the mundane. Instead we offer you a handful of gigs each month that we feel could be of special interest.

Najponk has been making waves since his return to the scene, and on 13/5 he will be appearing at U Malého Glena. You can read about the resurrection of Najponk on Czech Position.

If, after reading this month's album review, you're in the mood for a bit of live Emil Viklický then he will be playing at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum on 12/5. Also at AJC this month you can see the Robert Balzar Trio on 1/5 and the Karel Růžička Quartet on 21/5. Karel's distinctive piano playing is loaded with dark beauty and uncompromised feeling, and it is always worth experiencing.

If you want even more Emil he will be appearing once again at a Jazz na Hradě concert. This time it is a star-studded tribute to Miles Davis:

Our final recommendation is for a Trio of musicians: one Czech, one American, and one Iranian. Martin Kratochvíl (piano) is best known for the founding the legendary Jazz Q, and he is joined by
Tony Ackerman on guitar and Imram Musa Zangi on percussion at Reduta on 7/5. It is sure to be a night of good music and entertainment - Zangi is always worth watching!

If you go to any of the gigs listed here please let us know what you thought, and please do tell the venue that you saw the gig tipped on Prague Jazz.

GigTips: April 2010

April marks not only the coming of warmer weather (and Easter tourists) but also the start of Prague Jazz's third year of existence. Thank you to all our readers, both regular and irregular, and of course thank you to the musicians, record companies, club owners, and everyone else who has supported us during the last two years. Now, looking to the future, here's what is going down in April...

There are some good gigs at Jazz Dock this month. Gigs at this club are prone to getting spoiled by idiots who talk too much, but with an audience that is either focused or small they are usually fine. Jazz Dock is hosting the one of the big international gigs of the month with the John Abercrombie Organ Trio playing there on 12/4. Abercrombie is one of the world's great modern jazz guitarists and this is an excellent chance to see him in an intimate setting.

Jazz Dock are starting to have two concerts in one night on some occasions, with the early gig (7 PM) being cheaper than the late gig (10 PM), and there is a discount for combined admission. The best of these coming up is on 21/4 when delightful jazz/folk singer Pavla Milcová is performing first, followed by the Robert Balzar Trio. These two acts are very different, so there will be no risk of tedium, but both are truly excellent.

The AghaRTA Prague Jazz Festival is also hosting some big international names in April, with the gigs taking place at the Lucerna Music Bar. Rudy Linka and Bobo Stenson will be playing there on 12/4 and the John Scofield Jazz Quartet will be dropping by on 27/4. If you fancy some high-energy, hard-edged instrumental music then check out Bozzio/Holdsworth/Levin/Mastelotto on 23/4: prog rockers go jazz!

At AghaRTA Jazz Centrum itself there is lots of good stuff as usual. Lots of fun too, with the resurrected Yandim Band (14, 15/4) and the Rhythm Desperados (25, 26/4). In both cases you can expect seriously good playing with a party atmosphere. It is also worth going there on 27/4 to see the Emil Viklický Trio, and while you are at it you can get a copy of their Live in Vienna album! A new video from one of their recent performances can be found here.

At USP Jazz Lounge in April there are some decent singers that are well worth catching. Miriam Bayle (15/4) and Elena Sonenshine (24/4) are both strong vocalists: there is nothing standard about the way that they sing the standards. Leona Milla (7/4) has a different approach, reworking known pop and soul songs in an emotional and effective way. Finally, if you prefer modern instrumental jazz to the vocal variety, Points (25/4) are one of the rising stars of the scene.

As ever this is just a small selection of what is on offer so do check out the club and artist links in order to get the full schedules. If you go to any of these gigs please let us know what you thought, either on here or via our Facebook page, and please do tell the artists and venues that you saw the gig mentioned on Prague Jazz. Happy listening!

GigTips: March 2010

For the first time in over six weeks Prague is not covered by a layer of ice. The skies seem bluer, the air feels warmer, and slowly but surely the greenery will come back to life. Spring may not yet have sprung but it is certainly coiled in anticipation! Now it is possible to walk down the street without risking breaking a bone or three it is time to go to some gigs. These are our tips for March...

There are two special blues gigs at the Palác Akropolis this month. Prague's very own Chicago Blues guitarist, Rene Trossman, will be joined by acclaimed Chicago Blues singer Deitra Farr on 18/3. On 4/3 there will be a benefit concert for Steve White featuring such Prague Jazz favourites as Radim Hladík, Vladimír Mišík, and Luboš Andršt. For those of you not familiar with Steve White, he is a US-based guitarist and singer currently undergoing treatment for cancer. The purpose of the concert is to raise money towards his treatment, so as well as being a great night of music it will also be for a very good cause.

If you want to see Luboš Andršt in action with his own band then AghaRTA Jazz Centrum is the place to go. He will be there on 9/3 and 10/3 with his jazzier outfit, the Luboš Andršt Group. His keyboard player, Ondřej Kabrna, will also be there on 31/3 fronting his Powerplay Trio.

The newest club on the scene, Jazz Time, is not good at getting the details of their gigs out: the sooner they get their website working fully the better it will be for all of us. They do seem to be attracting some of the big names in Czech jazz though. According to pianist Emil Viklický's website he will be playing there on 9/3 and 19/3 with his Trio. We can't give you any guarantees about the quality of the club at this stage, but we can give you a guarantee about the quality of the music if Emil is involved.

At U Malého Glena this month you can see many of the rising stars of the local scene. Guitarist Libor Šmoldas will be playing material from his new album, In New York On Time, every Tuesday night in March. The Infinite Quintet will be there on 6/3 and guitarist Petr Zelenka's new “Project Z” will be there on 11/3.

As ever this is just a small selection of the gigs that will be played in March here in Prague. Do remember to book ahead if you want to be sure of a good table. And please tell the venue that you saw the gig listed here. If you have any feedback or comments about the gigs that you have seen please feel free to contact us at Prague Jazz with your thoughts.

GigTips: January 2010

And so here we are again, at the start of another year. We at Prague Jazz hope that all our readers had a good time over the Christmas season, welcomed in 2010 with good company, and are now ready for another year of jazz. The Czech jazz scene remains one of the most vibrant in Europe, with a combination of exciting young artists who are finding their way to excellence and more established names who are truly world class writers and players. There were many great concerts in 2009 and there is no reason to suspect that 2010 is going to be any different. Here is our selection of what's hot and cool (you know what we mean) in January...

For those of you interested in hearing Infinite Quintet perform material from their Speak Slowly album (reviewed on PJ last week) they will be at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum on 22/1. Also at AghaRTA this month is Hammond organist Ondřej Pivec with his Organic Quartet. It is not as easy as it used to be to see Ondřej in Prague because he now spends a considerable amount of time in New York City. On this tour he will also be appearing with saxophonist Petr Kalfus (8/1) and with the Bucinatores Big Band (19/1). Both of these concerts will be at Jazz Dock. His full schedule is shown below:


It is also possible to see the other great key basher called Ondřej in January, again at AghaRTA. Ondřej Kabrna will be appearing there with his own band, the groovy Ondřej Kabrna Powerplay Trio (5/1), as well as in his usual role of pianist and keyboard player in the Luboš Andršt Group (12, 13/1).

At U Malého Glena in January there is a chance to catch the excellent Beata Hlavenková and her Trio on 23/1. She is one of the most interesting young Czech pianists, and will be playing material from her recent Joy for Joel album.

In a break from tradition this month we are actually going to recommend two gigs at Reduta. On 3/1 the fabulous Elena Sonenshine will be there. She's a powerful singer with a strong stage presence, backed up by a tight band. If you're in the mood for some vocal jazz then you could do a lot worse. Also appearing at Reduta will be the evergreen Emil Viklický Trio (14/1). What he can't do with a piano is probably not worth doing. Both Elena and Emil will also be appearing at USP Jazz Lounge on 9/1 and 26/1 respectively.

As ever this is just a very small selection of the gigs taking place. If you are interested in finding out more please follow the links to the artist and venue websites for full schedules. Remember to book your table in advance if you want to be sure of sitting near the front, and if you do sit near the front why not (as a late Christmas present to the musicians) refrain from talking all through the performance and firing your flashgun in their faces. And please, if you remember, do tell the club that you saw the gig mentioned here.

Best wishes for 2010 from all at Prague Jazz HQ!

GigTips: December 2009

And so we reach December, and it is hard to understand where the last twelve months have gone. But gone they have, bringing us around to the end of yet another year and into another Christmas season. It is a time to eat, drink and be merry, and it's always fun doing just that at one of the many Christmas markets in Prague. The health benefits of living for an entire month on a diet of hot wine and roasted chestnuts are unknown, but we will let you know if anything exciting happens. Enjoy the season, and do try not to fall into the carp tanks when you're drunk. And now, here are our December GigTips.

As you all know November saw the release of Tomáš Liška's début solo album, Invisible World. He is celebrating its release, alongside his two collaborators and perhaps some special guests, with two gigs at Jazz Dock (9, 10/12). The first night is the official “christening” of the album and is sure to be a happy event. Also worth seeing at Jazz Dock in December is the always creative Beata Hlavenková with her Trio (21/12). The audiences at Jazz Dock can be a bit chatty so if you want to listen properly make sure that you get a seat near the front and prepare to stare meaningfully at aural trespassers.

AghaRTA Jazz Centrum is offering a quality December programme as can be expected. Another man with a recently released album, Emil Viklický, will be dropping by on 10/12. He is playing with his usual Trio so expect a blend of original compositions, adaptations of Moravian folk songs, and interestingly delivered standards. If you fancy some woodwind excellence then you must go to see the legendary Jiří Stivín: he's playing there on 15, 16/12. AghaRTA is also hosting a lively New Year's Eve event, with the party-hearty Rhythm Desperados playing out the final hours of 2009.

USP Jazz Lounge are continuing their trend of having one-off, interesting concerts with the pairing of pianist Matej Benko and Latin singer Yvonne Sánchez (16/12). Matej will also be appearing with his Trio at U Malého Glena on 29/12. He's a very good pianist and one of the stars of the younger generation of musicians on the Czech scene.

That completes our recommendations for December. Of course we have mentioned just a very small selection of gigs, so do follow the links to the club and artist websites for complete listings. Remember that Christmas is a time for giving presents, and Czech jazz CDs make very good presents indeed. Not only will you be supporting the local musicians but your music-loving friends will thank you for it.

Have fun out there!

GigTips: November 2009

It is hard to believe that it was twenty years ago this month. Hard to believe because in some ways the Velvet Revolution seems like such a recent event to those of us who remember it happening, or perhaps we are just unwilling to face the fact that we are now twenty years older than we once were. Hard to believe because, for the outsider at least, looking at Prague today it is difficult to imagine that it could be anything other than a free, vibrant city. Hard to believe, but true.

Jazz played an important part in the artistic rebellion against Communist control. The Jazz Section of the Czech Musician's Union was a notable irritant to officialdom. And so it would be wrong to let this anniversary go by without raising a glass to the musicians, many of whom you can still see on the Czech scene, who worked under oppressive conditions. It is also important that the tradition of Czech jazz is kept alive as part of the artistic soul of the Czech nation, and not relegated to being an unimportant tourist attraction. Here are our tips for November: real live music and as good as it gets.

The one and only guitar genius that is Luboš Andršt will be working at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum this month, with his excellent Luboš Andršt Group appearing twice (6, 24/11). It is fair to say that we do tip his gigs a lot here on Prague Jazz, but he really is that good. His pianist and keyboard player, Ondřej Kabrna, will also be appearing as bandleader with the Ondřej Kabrna Quartet on 7/11. It is a good month at AghaRTA with the Robert Balzar Trio (29/11) and the Emil Viklický Trio (3/11) also dropping by. If this club offered season tickets we would thoroughly recommend getting one.

Another legend of the Czech music scene is composer and conductor Milan Svoboda. He is in action at Le Fabrika on 10/11, alongside saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi (USA):

Robert Balzar and his Trio have an alternate role in Czech music, as the core of singer Dan Bárta's band. It is unusual to see them together performing a small club gig but that is what is on offer at USP Jazz Lounge on 25/11. Be sure to book early as this will surely sell out in advance. If you're in the mood for some good vocal jazz then you are also in luck at USP with Miriam Bayle (14/11) and the Jana Koubková Quartet (13/11).

If you fancy some cool late-night jazz (finishing well after midnight) then Jazz Dock is the place to go. Pianist Najponk will be there on 22/11 and rising guitar star Libor Šmoldas will play with his Quartet on 25/11.

That wraps up our selection of gigs for this month. Of course there is a lot going on in the city so for more information click on the artist and club links to the right. Do remember to book ahead to be sure of a good seat.

Enjoy the music.

Be glad that you can.

GigTips: October 2009

Another month has gone by: how quickly the year seems to be slipping away. Apologies for the infrequent updates here on Prague Jazz: real life and other projects (of which hopefully more soon) have been relentlessly eating up my time. But of course there is still time to fill you in on the highlights of the Prague jazz scene for October.

At AghaRTA Jazz Centrum this month there is something very special: two nights (12, 13 /10) of the Jurkovič-Uhlíř-Helešic Trio. Alongside bassist František Uhlíř (often seen in Emil Viklický's Trio) will be two-handed tapping expert Darko Jurkovič and drummer Jaromír Helešic. These three brilliant musicians are undertaking a small European tour, performing in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and, of course, the Czech Republic. Their music is exciting and complex (but still strongly melodic) modern jazz – see them if you can.

At Jazz Dock the Infinite Quintet will be launching their new album, Speak Slowly, on 13/10. Innovative and challenging pianist Beata Hlavenková will perform there with her Trio on 15/10, and Ondřej Pivec returns from New York City for three nights with his Organic Quartet (16, 17, 18/10).

U Malého Glena has lots of good music this October, with the Robert Balzar Trio back in action on 8/9, and a collaboration between a fine pianist and a fine singer, Matej Benko and Miriam Bayle, on 23/10.

And finally, as is now traditional, if you really must go to Reduta then go and see the very wonderful Emil Viklický Trio. They will be there on 14/10, performing their usual blend of jazz standards, original compositions, and interpretations of traditional Moravian songs. We saw them last month and even by their usual standards they were superb, with lots of energy flowing through the band.

This is, of course, just a small taste of what is out there. Do follow our links to the club websites for full schedules, and remember to book ahead to be sure of getting a good table. And please don't forget to tell the venue that you saw the gig listed here.

GigTips: September 2009

Summer is on the way out and longer nights are on the way in, but that's no reason to be sad because the jazz of Prague is always in season. The leaves may turn brown but the music is evergreen here in this most special of cities. September will see a lull in the tourist crowds, but that just means more empty seats for locals to occupy while enjoying the unique sounds of the Prague Jazz world. So, what are you waiting for?

There are few more evergreen jazzers than pianist (and Prague Jazz favourite) Emil Viklický. He will be at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum on 18/9 with his Trio, playing his usual mix of standards, Moravian folk songs, and original compositions. The AghaRTA stage is quite small but if you would like to see just how many musicians it can hold then the reformed Yandim Band are unmissable (16, 17/9). They manage to squeeze nine up there, including three singers and Czech guitar legend Slávek Janda. Funky and fun they are an outfit worth seeing. Also good fun will be the Rhythm Desperados on 21,22/9.

At USP Jazz Lounge in September will be the recently reviewed musician, Karel Růžička sr. His saxophone playing son is back in New York City but the Czech pianist returns to action with his Trio on 10/9. Expect things dark. And heavy. And beautiful. On other nights you can see the Robert Balzar Trio (8/9) and the silky-voiced Veronika Diamant (27/9).

If last month's review and videos have made you want to go and see Stan the Man's Bohemian Blues Band then you can catch him every Monday night at U Malého Glena. Do make sure that you book ahead though: the size of the club means that with no reservation you probably will not get a table, never mind a table at the front. Alternatively you can go and see Goran Bregović, without reservation and for free, in the large expanse of Old Town Square on 17/9 (from 19:30). Okay, he's not really jazz (more like “crazy Balkan”), but this acclaimed musician from the former Yugoslavia is on tour with his “Weddings and Funerals Band” and wants to give us a free gig. Good man!

Finally, our traditional “if you must...” tip for going to Reduta. Eva Svobodová will be singing there on 29/9. Her voice is so beautiful that it makes up for the bar prices.

If you are interested in finding out more about some of the artists mentioned here please do take a look through our site: many of them have had their gigs and albums reviewed. If you want to know more about what is happening in general then follow the links to the clubs and the artists (on the right hand side). Please remember to book ahead to be sure of a good table, and do tell the venue that you saw the gig listed here.

GigTips: August 2009

August, and the end of the summer is with us. Holidaymakers from around the world are with us too, visiting this great city and hopefully coming to sample some of the jazz for which Prague is rightly famous. Do remember though that it is not just for the tourists: for any music-loving resident of Prague at a loose end the jazz clubs are always a good option. The music is very real, the standard very high, and not all the clubs are very expensive!

The cheapest club to get into and drink in, as long as you stay off the silly cocktails, is the new late night haven, Jazz Dock. Prague-based Chicago bluesman Rene Trossman will be passing through on 4/8, while excellent young saxophonist Petr Kalfus will be there with his Quartet on 16/8. If you are feeling adventurous and fancy a bit of Nu-jazz then respected acoustic bassist Jaromír Honzák will play with his Face of the Bass project on 13/8.

There will be a special gig at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum on 7/8, not just one Karel Růžička but two! The acclaimed pianist is joined by his son, the saxophonist now based in New York City. It will be exciting to see them play together but be warned, Růžička senior is not an exponent of easy listening! Expect the music to be mostly melodic but usually challenging. The Rhythm Desperados will be up to their usual fun and frolics for two nights (23,24/8) followed by the ever brilliant Luboš Andršt Group (25,26/8).

There is also brilliance on offer at USP Jazz Lounge in August, with the superb František “Paganini of the Bass” Uhlíř playing with his Trio on 12/8, and modern pianist Beata Hlavenková fronting her outfit on 20/8.

Finally for this month, if you really want to sample the slice of Prague jazz history that is Reduta, then 31/8 is your best bet: the ever-enjoyable Emil Viklický will be on with his Trio.

This is just a small selection of what's on offer; personal recommendations from PJHQ. Do follow the links to the club websites for a fuller picture, and don't forget to reserve your places to be sure of good seats. And please, do let the venue know that you saw the gig tipped here on Prague Jazz.

GigTips: July 2009

We're now over halfway though 2009, and so far it has been a great year for music if not for the weather. Hopefully we are now going to get some proper summer in the city, although just because it gets hot don't forget your umbrella. Those storms come fast and seemingly out of nowhere!

With luck the rain will hold off for the Bohemia Jazz Fest, the Prague dates of which are 12-13/7. This is a chance to see jazz talent from around the world, including Chris Potter Underground on the Sunday and Medeski, Martin and Wood on the Monday. There will be Czech jazz represented too, in the form of the Milan Svoboda Quartet. Free, and staged in the beautiful setting of Old Town Square, this is an event to savour.

Another unique concert that is worth a mention is bassist George Mraz with Hank Jones (p.) and Willie Jones (dr.) playing at one of the Jazz na Hradě concerts on 14/7.

Just because acts appear regularly it does not make them any less good, and all blues fans are advised not to forget the two great bluesmen of U Malého Glena, Stan “The Man” Wolarz on Mondays and Rene Trossman on Wednesdays. Rene's music is very much Chicago blues whereas Stan belts it out rough and raw, very different but both are fantastic guitarists. Another fantastic guitarist is of course Luboš Andršt: see him at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum on 19-20/7 with his Group.

The newest club on the scene, Jazz Dock, thankfully didn't float away in the recent floods, and if you're after some hard Hammond then watch out for Ondřej Pivec – he'll be there with his Trio and saxophonist Petr Kalfus on 5/7 and with his ORGANIC Quartet on 30-31/7.

As ever this is just a small selection of what is going on. Check out the links below for full details of all the main clubs and festivals. Remember to book ahead if you want to be sure of getting a good table in the smaller clubs, and please do tell the venue that you saw the gig listed here.

GigTips: June 2009

With the Prague summer there usually comes a glut of outdoor concerts and festivals. Dotted around the Czech Republic they seem to cover the entire spectrum of musical tastes, including of course jazz.

The United Islands (19, 20/6) festival is one of Prague’s biggest, taking place in a number of different locations around the city. On the Friday (19/6) you can catch the jazz part of the festival at Jazz Dock where both the Marcel Flemr Band and Ondřej Konrád & Gumbo will be playing. There will also be a jam session afterwards.

On the Saturday (20/6) the jazz moves to Kampa where a whole host of Czech and international outfits will be performing. Kampa is a beautiful place in the summer sunshine and, weather permitting, this should be a perfect place to spend the day. The only problem with being there is that you will not be able to marvel at the guitar genius of Luboš Andršt: he will be appearing with Michal Prokop on the Žofín stage.

If you want even more festival jazz then the Saturday will continue back at Jazz Dock with acts that include the lovely (and vocally excellent) Veronika Diamant.

More details can be found at http://www.unitedislands.cz/.

There do seem to be a lot of interesting things happening at Jazz Dock. Prague Jazz has yet to visit this club but will be doing so this Friday, so do come back next week for more information. On (10/6) acclaimed pianist Najponk will be playing there with his Trio, apparently making a return to active service on the Prague scene.

The fun and frantic Rhythm Desperados will once again be at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum this month (23, 24/6). Mixing hot playing with bouncy fun these guys are well worth seeing.

Finally, if you are going to splash the cash required to go to Reduta (and heaven forbid that you buy a drink there!), then you might as well go and see something special. Emil Viklický will be there (26/6) with Bobby Wellins, Dave Wickens and his regular bassist František Uhlíř. We hardly ever advocate going to Reduta, but for this one night we cannot advocate being anywhere else!

Remember to reserve places in advance if you want to be sure of a good seat, and do please tell the venue that you saw the gig recommended here on Prague Jazz.

GigTips: May 2009

It seemed a long time coming but the warm weather is finally here. Outdoor tables, refreshing beers, and map-gazing tourists getting underfoot… all part of the Prague spring fun. If you feel like ending your hot day in the city with a night of cool jazz then here are our recommendations for May.

At AghaRTA Jazz Centrum we will focus on two guys who balance playing in their own outfits with regularly appearing alongside some of the biggest names in Czech jazz. Pianist Ondřej Kabrna is often seen playing in the Luboš Andršt Group (5, 30/5), but in May you can also see him with his own Quartet (19/5). Similarly František “Paganini of the Bass” Uhlíř will be dropping by with his own František Uhlíř Team (17/5) as well as with the Emil Viklický Trio (15/5). Two great players, four great bands.

Fun things are happening at the new Jazz Dock, including three unique nights from Jan Kořínek & Groove with special guests Najponk (7/5), Rene Trossman (8/5) and Rostislav Fraš (9/5). This new club seems to be an exciting addition to the Prague music scene. If anyone has been there and has thoughts to offer then please contact us at PJHQ.

Finally, the velvet-voiced Eva Svobodová is one of Prague’s less frequent performers and so it is worth making the time and taking the effort to go to one of her shows, even if it is at the cash-hoover that is Reduta. She’s there on 18/5. Her voice is beautiful even if the bar prices are so very, very hateful.

This is just a brief summary of some of this month’s highlights but for a fuller picture please check out the links below. If you do go to any of the gigs listed here please tell the venue that you saw it featured on PJ, and if you take any good photos that you’d like to see on the site please do send them via email. Happy listening...

GigTips: April 2009

Despite a few false starts it seems that spring is really here in Prague. The temperatures are up, the beer is cool, the green shoots of new life are on the trees, and the local ladies are digging out their summer wardrobes. Yes, life is good.

The warmer weather also means a huge influx of tourists, and if any jazz fans are planning a visit to Prague and stumble upon this website I hope they find it useful. Of course not all visitors to the jazz clubs of Prague are serious about music, and they can be bloody annoying. When you go to an art gallery you do not expect your fellow visitors to doodle on the paintings. When you go to the theatre you do not expect members of the audience to jump up onto the stage and interfere with the leading lady. And so why some people think that talking and making loud noises while musicians perform is acceptable is totally beyond me. If you get one of these prats sitting next to you please do the decent thing by the rest of the audience and the performers and tell them to shut up. It works.

So now we’ve got that sorted here’s what we at Prague Jazz think you should be checking out in April:

AghaRTA Jazz Centrum is offering a quality programme as usual, with highlights including the sublime Luboš Andršt Group (6, 7 / 4), the energetic virtuoso outfit Rhythm Desperados (8, 9 / 4), and fun vocal jazz from Madfinger (15, 16 / 4).

There are cool things happening at the Lucerna Music Bar in April, with Latin singer Yvonne Sanchez (16 / 4) and Slovak blues/funkster Peter Lipa (27 / 4). Remember to work up a thirst before you go because as well as being a good music venue Lucerna also has the cheapest tank Pilsner Urquell you will find in the centre of Prague.

U Malého Glena plays host to Ondřej Pivec's ORGANIC Quartet featuring Betty Lee (12 / 4) which will be well worth a listen if you can get the Americans to shut up, meanwhile at USP Jazz Lounge there is a chance to see the intense Karel Růžička Trio (24 / 4).

Of course there is much more going on so please do check out the venue links for full schedules, and also look though our reviews for an indication of what to expect. Remember to book ahead to be sure of a seat, and please do tell the venue that you saw the gig tipped here.

And finally, good luck to HC Slavia Praha in this year's ice hockey play off finals!

GigTips: March 2009

Another month in Prague and that means another month of live jazz to enjoy. It is hard to believe, looking at the grey skies and the bare trees, that by the end of March spring should be well and truly with us. For this life-affirming metamorphosis there should be a life-affirming soundtrack and so, as always, here are Prague Jazz’s suggestions for some great nights of live music.

Our first tip has to be the eagerly awaited concert by the Robert Balzar Trio with John Abercrombie (22/3). Touring Europe to celebrate their excellent collaborative album, Tales, this is a rare chance to see the fusion of one of Europe’s best jazz trios with one of the world’s best jazz guitarists in the flesh. The concert is at Prague’s Lucerna Music bar, notable for its homely atmosphere and cheap beer. Be there.

As ever there is a bumper crop of fine concerts at Agharta Jazz Centrum this month. The Luboš Andršt Group drop by twice (11, 23/3), as do the fun and frantic Rhythm Desperados (13, 14/3), and woodwind maestro Jiří Stivín (12, 25/3).

If you want to know what Josef Vejvoda has been up to since appearing with the Emil Viklický Quartet on ‘Round Midnight then you can catch him with his Trio at USP Jazz Lounge (18/3). Also appearing at USP this month are two of the most innovative and intense piano-led outfits in Prague, the Karel Růžička Trio (26/3) and the Beata Hlavenková Trio (27/3).

Finally for this month we will suggest a couple of concerts at Reduta. Regular readers of Prague Jazz will know that we are not the biggest fans of this place, mainly because we’re not really turned on by hard seats, extortionate bar prices or rude staff. However it is a venue with great history and famous for Clinton’s sax-blowing session, and so many visitors and locals want to go there once. If you’re going there then you might as well see someone good, and the jewels in the Reduta crown this month are the fabulous Eva Svobodová (2/3) and the always excellent Emil Viklický Trio (31/3).

Of course there is a whole lot happening as well as these concerts: it is a rare night when there are not at least two or three really top class jazz sessions going down somewhere in the city.

Remember to book ahead with the venue if you want to be sure of a seat, and please tell them that you saw the gig recommended here on Prague Jazz. Have fun…

GigTips: February 2009

The last of the winter months is here, and unlike the last couple of years we have had a real winter in Prague. There has been a decent amount of snow and ice, and for a fortnight the temperature never threatened to rise above freezing. In a few weeks the warmer days of spring should be with us, but until then remember to wrap up well before you go out!

Our Tips for February begin at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum, home of the fun and funky Rhythm Desperados (24, 25/2). Playing original material and standards (their version of “Birdland” is a cracker) they combine excellent playing with showmanship and humour, producing a joyous evening of entertainment. Emil Viklický will be dropping through (13/2) to compensate for any misfortune that this unlucky Friday delivers, and woodwind master Jiří Stivín will be putting on two shows with auspicious numbering (2, 22/2).

The Robert Balzar Trio are also calling in twice at the USP Jazz Lounge (12, 28/2) as they prepare for their tour with guitarist John Abercrombie. The RBT have changed their set around a lot for 2009 and have a slightly harder edge thanks to such pieces as “Vinohradská Street 32” and “C.T.A”. Other notables at USP this month are the young guitarists Libor Šmoldas with his Quartet (7/2) and Adam Tvrdý with his Trio (25/2).

If you are in the mood for some blues then there’s always the Charles Bridge Jazz Club, where the Luboš Andršt Blues Band (7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28/2) and the Alice Springs Blues Band (6, 13, 20, 27/2) come highly recommended.

Our final recommendation for February is the trio of Richard Bona, Steve Gadd, and Sylvain Luc. They will be at the Lucerna Music Bar (4/2) as the first act of the spring AghaRTA Prague Jazz Festival. World class musicians in a world class jazz city.

Please remember that all listings are subject to change so confirm with the venue to avoid disappointment. And please remember to tell them that you saw the gig listed on Prague Jazz!

GigTips: January 2009

And so we go on into a new year, and what can be the coldest month in the calendar. Dressing for jazz can be a bit of a challenge when the temperature never rises above freezing. Remember to wrap up warm for the journey but make sure you can take most of it off when you are in the club otherwise you will suffer: Prague’s jazz clubs are not known for their airy coolness!

On a similar practical note do watch out if you decide to take a taxi home because it is too cold to wait for a night-tram. Reputable taxis can be picked up at the “Fair Place” ranks or by calling AAA Taxis (233 113 311) who speak English and are usually quick and reliable.

So now you know how to dress and how to get back, you only have to decide who you want to see!

This month we are going to concentrate on artists who are regularly featured on this website. They represent some of the best music talent out there, and are perfect gigs for occasional and regular jazz fans alike.

We will start the year at AghaRTA Jazz Centrum, with the delightful folk-jazzer Pavla Milcová (4/1), the Luboš Andršt Group (13, 14/1), the Emil Viklický Trio (21/1) and the Robert Balzar Trio (29/1). All these gigs will be of the highest quality and come with our enthusiastic recommendation.

If you want to see more of one of Europe’s best jazz and blues guitarists, Luboš will also be playing with his Blues Band at the Charles Bridge Jazz Club (11, 18, 23, 30/1), another highly recommended experience.

At USP Jazz Lounge this month there is the chance to hear two of the best female vocalists on the Prague scene, with Veronika Diamant (13/1) and Miriam Bayle (11, 22, 23, 30/1), and thunderous pianist Karel Růžička will also be passing through with his Trio (15/1).

This is of course just a handful of what is on offer, so please follow the Music Clubs links to see what else is happening. Remember to book in advance in order to be sure of a place, and do tell the venue that you saw the gig listed here on Prague Jazz.

May your 2009 be as prosperous as it is musical!

GigTips: December 2008

The final month of the year is here, and with it the Christmas lights, Christmas markets, Christmas hot wine, and Christmas excuses to go to a jazz club. If you’re over in Prague for the season then you know what you should do. Similarly, if you have guests staying over, they’d love a dose of Czech musical heritage.

If all this news of new Emil Viklický albums has got you wanting to see the man himself then get down to AghaRTA Jazz Centrum where he will be playing with his Trio (14/12). If on the other hand you fancy a bit of guitar genius then the Luboš Andršt Group are also gracing the AJC stage (3/12).

If you’d like to see Luboš with his Blues Band then you can catch them at the new Charles Bridge Jazz Club (5, 6, 13, 14, 20, 21, 30, 31 /12) – a feast of dates including the chance to see in 2009 with a Czech music legend.

Another residency worth catching is by exciting Hammond organist Ondřej Pivec at USP Jazz Lounge, playing with his Organic Quartet (22, 28, 29 /12), with singer Betty Lee (24, 26, 27 /12) and the Petr Kalfus Trio (23, 25/12). Also at USP this month are the Robert Balzar Trio (10/12) and the ever-innovative pianist Beata Hlavenková (9/12).

They’re a hard working lot, our Prague Jazzers, putting in Christmas and New Year shows when most people are off work, off duty, and off their faces. So if you do go and see one of these festive gigs then spare a thought for the guys (and dolls) on stage. Buy their albums as Christmas presents for your friends. Put down your peanuts and listen during the quiet bits. Shield and sheath your flashguns. Or just offer to buy them a drink.

Remember to check with the venues to confirm that there have been no changes, and book ahead to be sure of a table. And do remember to tell them that you saw the gig listed here.