PRAGUE JAZZ WEEKend 2015 – OLD TOWN SQUARE – OPEN AIR  

Friday, July 31  /  4 - 10 pm

16.00 – 17.10  ŠTĚPÁN MARKOVIČ & AghaRTA GANG
Štěpán Markovič: saxophone; Boris Urbánek: keyboards; Vít Švec: double bass; Michal Hejna: drums   
Random musical reunion of old friends in 2007 gave reason to the formation of a band that regularly performs predominantly in the AghaRTA jazz club. From Ostrava travels keyboardist Boris Urbánek, a distinctive personality of Moravian jazz, the initiator of the band, drummer Michael flocks played for the first time already in 1982 in his Jazz Laboratory. In the same year, Michal Hejna met with Štěpán Markovič in the very famous group, ESP, and in big band, Transjazz, with a fellow conservatory student Vítek Švec. In 2009, a recording called “There Is Hope” (ARTA Records) was done. There are songs from the days of Jazz Laboratory, Urbánek´s tune “The Golden Sunday” among others.  

17.30 – 18.40  JAZZ EFTERRÄTT 
Lukáš Chejn: guitar, Martin Plachý: saxophone, Vít Pospíšil: keyboards, Tomáš Uhlík: bass, Ondřej Pomajsl: drums   
The guitarist Lukáš Chejn clearly believes in understatement, describing himself on his website with the words ‘I was and I am’. His band of otherwise merry musicians was given a blast of fresh air with the arrival of a new  drummer, Ondřej  Pomajsl.

19.00 – 20.10  LATIN WAVE 
Alois Hedervári: drums, Bharata Rajnošek: saxophone, trumpet, flute, Miroslav Lacko: piano, Vladimír Kliment: bassguitar
Latin Wave Group was established musicians who share an interest in jazz-inspired elements of traditional Afro-Cuban music. The main character is a “master bandleader” Lojza Hedervári.

20.30 – 21.40  RHYTHM DESPERADOS 
Boris Urbánek: keyboards; Rostislav Fraš: saxophone; Vít Švec: double bass; Michal Hejna: drums; Imran Musa Zangi: percussion
The programme would not be complete without an appearance by the Rhythm Desperados, playing a combination of jazz, latin jazz, and funk. The energetic appearances of this Ostrava- and Prague-based group at the AghaRTA Jazz Centrum always makes for an extraordinary experience, not only for the club-goers but also for the musicians themselves. In addition to the considerable interest in their album “Volcano”, the band can boast a successful tour this year in Mexico and New York.

Saturday, August 1  / 4 - 10 pm 

16.00 – 17.10  AghaRTA BAND  
Adam Tvrdý: guitar; Ondřej Kabrna: piano; Vít Švec: double bass; Michal Hejna: drums   
As the name implies, this band can be heard only in AghaRTA club. The drummer and club manager Michal Hejna, regularly invites musicians with whom he likes to play. Especially sensitive and romantic pianist Ondřej Kabrna, bassist Vit Švec, and ultimately universal guitarist Adam Tvrdý. The repertoire reflects the musical tastes of all those involved, including their compositions.  

17.30 – 18.40  PRIME TIME VOICE 
Dana Šimíčková: soprano, Taťána Roskovcová: mezzosoprano, Marta Marinová: alto, Adam Tvrdý: acoustic guitar, Jaroslav Šimíček: double bass, Petr Mikeš: drums
“Go after the inner power of music” is what connects them via old, forgotten yet unforgettable, new or newly discovered melodies by Klugh, Silvestri, Grusin, Mancini, Metheny, Corea and many more. “Common denominator” of all arrangements is shift to jazz and thus the band casually floats through the genres. Thanks to this compactness in rendition of the songs their repertoire can with no hesitation handle both film melody and folk song or their own works. Pleasing acoustic sound enhances fresh repertoire, elaborate vocals and impressive jazz solos.

19.00 – 20.10  PETR KROUTIL & HIS BROTHERS 
Petr Kroutil: saxophone, vocal, guitar; Ondřej Kabrna: keyboards; Vít Švec: double bass; Michal Hejna: drums; Imran Musa Zangi: percussions  
The group was founded around charismatic frontman, actor, sax player and singer Petr Kroutil. The success of TV series he perform in allowed him to go to USA, where he studied at Berklee College of Music. Later he soaked up musical impulses in Nepal. Since 2011 Kroutil regularly plays in Agharta with great reactions. His concert programme is sparkling combination of swing, smooth jazz, rock, pop and reggae. The show offering not only good music but also inteligent and spontaneous humor is absolutely unique in Bohemia. You can be sure of that by listening to the new album “Just The Way I Am” (ARTA Records).

20.30 – 21.40   LUBOŠ ANDRŠT GROUP
Luboš Andršt: guitar, Filip Benešovský: bass guitar, Ondřej Kabrna: keyboards, Michal Hejna: drums
Although a distinctive figure of Czech jazz, Luboš Andršt is rightfully called the best local blues guitarist. He is also a superb composer. His harmonic compositions, unmistakeably his own, reflect Latin, jazz, and blues influences, and, in addition to the performances of the experienced members of the band, create the original sound of the Luboš Andršt Group. Evidence of that is also provided by the group’s latest album, Moment in Time (ARTA Records).

Sunday, August 2  / 4 - 10 pm

16.00 – 17.10  ONDŘEJ KABRNA & FLYING POWER  
Ondřej Kabrna: keyboards, Antonín Dlapa: guitar, Lukáš Pavlík: drums
The Ondřej Kabrna Trio, which was formed in January 2010, plays only original music, mostly Kabrna’s own compositions, something between jazz, fusion, and classical. The music is energetic, full of emotion and searches for new directions and sounds, like the music of the late Esbjörn Svensson. The unique sound of the group, heard on its new album Timeways, is in no small measure thanks to the musical performances of its members.

17.30 – 18.40  ADAM TVRDÝ / BRIAN CHARETTE PROJECT
Adam Tvrdý: guitar, Brian Charette: Hammond organ, Petr Mikeš: drums
New album “Suspicious Activities” this distinctive trio based almost right now. The new face of Czech jazz, excellent guitarist and songwriter Adam Tvrdý to cooperation on their second album invited the great American player on the Hammond organ Brian Charette.

19.00 – 20.10  FRANTIŠEK KOP QUARTET 
František Kop: saxophones, Petr Malásek: piano, Jan Jakubec: bass guitar, Pavel Zbořil: drums
The band composed of the best musicians in the local jazz scene. Stylish range of original compositions is quite broad, and inspired by various musical influences (modern jazz, blues, funk, latin).

20.30 – 21.40  AghaRTA FRIENDS 
Markéta Foukalová: vocal, František Kop: saxophone, Adam Tvrdý: guitar, Ondřej Kabrna: piano, Vít Švec: double bass, Michal Hejna: drums, Imran Musa Zangi: percussion
The final concert on the stage again presents AghaRTA Band, expanding further musical friends. Above all, a singer Markéta Foukalová, which in addition to its home band Lanugo hear you sing jazz is almost impossible. The more it is a great pleasure for Agharta Jazz Centre, the accepted this invitation.  

PRAGUE JAZZ WEEKend is supported by