Sunday, August 2, 2009

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.

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