International Jazz Festival in Prague
The same as Prazske Jaro (Prague Spring) festival of classical music represents for the Czech scene of classical music, the International Jazz Festival represents for the lovers of jazz. And what does it represent? It is The Event.
International Jazz Festival in Prague is usually held in the week 22nd – 30th November. It belongs to the oldest jazz festivals in Europe, as in 2008 is celebrated it’s 30 years of existence.
It attract musicians from wide spectre of countries, it is not uncommon to hear jazz influences of 10-15 countries in the Week of Jazz.
Thematically arranged evenings take place in the halls of the Congress Center Prague, Lucerna Music Bar, Rock Café and Reduta Jazz Club.
The year 2008 marked a change in dramaturgy of the festival; since, the expeditions into waters of jazz can be more deep and wide than expected. As the past years were concerned mostly about the classical forms of jazz, 08 dramaturgy turned the direction on some more progressive jazz forms, such as jazz rock, acid-jazz, world music, blues, ska, funky, soul and others.
International Jazz Festival Prague (IJF) belong among oldest jazz festivals in Europe. A few names from festival’s history: Mr. ACKER BILK & HIS PARAMOUNT JAZZ BAND (1964 & 1982), DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA (1968), COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA & OSCAR PETERSON & BIG JOE TURNER (1974), BENNY GOODMAN (1976), DIDIER LOCKWOOD (1984), STÉPHANNE GRAPPELLI QUARTET (1988), B.B.KING (1990) , CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND (1991), DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET (1996), TONY BENNET & RALPH SHARON TRIO (1997), NEW YORK VOICES (1998), MAL WALDRON, ALBERT MANGELSDORFF (2001), RHODA SCOTT (2006) and other.
International Jazz Festival in Prague is held, like every year, under the auspices of the President of the Czech Republic and the Capital City of Prague.
