The newly established cooperation between the Czech Centres and the Akropolis Palace aims to support trips of local artists abroad. The selection of bands follows the series by Michal Nejtek called „Jazz Nejtek Selection“, which you can also listen to right here at Žižkov.

NOCZ

Norwegian-Czech free jazz quartet is led by Norwegian trumpeter and composer Didrik Ingvaldsen, who is active simultaneously on the experimental jazz scenes in Norway, Berlin and New York. Norwegian drummer Dag Magnus Narvesen implements his current activities mainly in Berlin. The Czech musicians Radim Hanousek and Marian Friedl work together in a number of Czech jazz formations, moreover Hanousek is seriously engaged in contemporary music and Friedl in Moravian folk music. The music of NOCZ has a unique flavor based on the work of trumpeter Didrik Ingvaldsen, who combines modern trends of experimental jazz with classic free jazz approaches and a traditional lineup: trumpet, saxophone, double bass, and drums. Their music is characterized by lot of energy, distinctive dynamic breaks, heavily orchestrated passages alternating with freer ones, expressive melodies, emphasis on rhythm in the compositions, and collective improvisation.

“Singer and violinist Iva Bittová is one of the few artists from the Czech Republic to enjoy an international career. Her irresistible charm, original use of voice, and fondness of melodies that sit on the border of avantgarde and playground nursery rhymes won her devoted fans around the world, although the core of her audience resides in Eastern Europe.” (AllMusic.com)

Iva Bittová

Bittová's music is a blend of rock and East European music which she describes as her own personal folk music. Her violin playing mixes different techniques, including playing the strings with various objects and plucking them like a banjo. Her vocal utterances range from traditional singing to chirping, cackling and deep throat noises. She puts her whole body into her performances, drawing on her theatrical skills.

Their common album NOCZ & Iva Bittová brings a unique combination of the Czech-Norwegian band that draws influences from free jazz, noise and ambient music with the distinctive Czech female vocalist, while their common distinguishing feature is an easy overcoming the genre barriers, sovereign expression in the field of improvised music and free vocalize combined with a significantly dense brass section and dynamic rhythm.

“An undoubtedly successful and progressive jazz album, rarely heard in our homeland!” (Jan Hocek – JazzPort) “The compositions mix muscular, rhythmic free jazz with sonic experimental sonic elements, spiced with Balkan and Klezmer overtones, alternating between tight, orchestrated parts and fiery free improvisations.” (Eyal Hareuveni – All About Jazz)

The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture, the National Regeneration Plan and the European Union – Next Generation EU.