Jazz summer and autumn in the Czech Republic

If you are a jazz fan, you should definitely plan your visit to the Czech Republic in summer or autumn. This is the time when the majority of jazz festivals take place. Travel from Prague to festival cities and enjoy the unique atmosphere of historical squares full of jazz melodies.

The Bohemia Jazz Fest starts at the beginning of July. An ideal experience is to combine festival concerts with exploration of Czech cultural heritage. Enjoy UNESCO sites in Prague, Olomouc and Brno and explore cities where famous Czech beers Pilsner Urquell (Pilsen) and Budweiser Budvar (České Budějovice) were born. Grammy-winner pianist Dino Peréz will perform at the festival with his excellent trio. You can also look forward to one of the best guitarist in the world, John Scofield. Norwegian jazz diva Inger Marie Gundersen is invited to the festival as well.

South Bohemian squares will be full of sound due to the South Bohemia Jazzfest in August. The main star of the festival is the legend of Latin-American jazz Eddi Palmieri. The Grammy-winner from Puerto Rico will play with his salsa band. Muzikanten, a street jazz musical from Bolzano, will be a great experience, too. Portuguese singer Carmen Souza will enchant you with her performance where she combines jazz, fusion and influences of traditional music from Cape Verde. A concert from legendary Fred Wesley will take place in České Budějovice on 29^th June.

The International Jazz Festival Praha will take place in late October in the famous Reduta Jazz Club. The East West European Jazz Orchestra, which combines European mainstream and regional traditions and influences, will perform at the festival as well. A performance of gospel singer Brian Fentress and Jan Andr Quartet will be a great experience. Fentress has been involved with gospel since he was a child – he conducted his first choir when he was five.

Hradec Králové hosts the festival Jazz Goes to Town in the same period. John Gros / Brian Seeger & Friends, the group of American jazzmen from New Orleans and their Czech colleagues will launch the festival in this city with great architecture. European Jazz Ensemble ranks among other companies which will perform; this group consists of legends and leading personalities of European jazz. The greatest attraction of the festival is Jack Bruce, one of the most talented vocalists and bassists.

CzechTourism is a state-funded agency of the Ministry for Regional Development. Its main activity is to promote the Czech Republic as an attractive tourist destination. More information is available at http://scandinavia.czechtourism.com.