Altar Quartet

Saxophonist Nikolaj Nikitin and pianist Ľuboš Šrámek are renowned personalities of the Slovak jazz scene who have again joined their creative and interpretative skills. Their new album Altar – the title refers to the authors’ nine favorite compositions – is the result of this intense cooperation. Apart from their own work, they’ve reached out for the themes of Janáček and Bach – as well as the paraphrases of well-known standards. Altar has the ambition to reflect contemporary European jazz music without avoiding tradition. An extraordinary element of the recordings of Nikitin and Šrámek is the preservation of creative and interpretative freedom. Altar is no exception. The nine compositions draw listeners into a unique music world, created from the fragile miniatures of each composition. “The first composition ‘Lullaby of Kirkland’ written by Šrámek flows very easily. Those who know Šramek’s composition and arrangement style know that it is an exceptionally sophisticated concept in every aspect – rhythm, harmony and also melody. It is interesting that despite complicated processes there is no musicality lost, nor continuity. Nikitin’s saxophone tenor plays very gently and fits well into the mood of the composition. Šrámek’s accompaniment is immensely varied. Solos are beautifully created by both artists.” (Dávid Oláh)

Nikolaj Nikitin – sax; Ľuboš Šrámek – p; Nenad Vasilic (SRB/AT) – db; Klemens Marktl (AT) – dr.  

Admission seating CZK 270, standing CZK 170. There is no need to reserve a seat when purchasing a seating ticket.

Band website: www.jdwalter.com