PIANO DAYS
Kevin Hays Trio (USA)

After last year favorable GUITAR DAYS FESTIVAL we present another  theme fourdays festival dedicated to jazz piano. There will perform front world pianists: Luis Perdomo, Gerald Clayton, Aaron Goldberg and Kevin Hays. They will be accompanied by several Czech piano players and afternoon workshops for talented musicians. Festival is supported by Ministry of Culture. There will be new Yamaha piano ready for this event! 

Kevin Hays is internationally recognized as one of the premier jazz pianists of his generation. Many of his 15 recordings as leader have received critical acclaim from publications such as The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine and Jazz Times, as well as a “Coup de Coeur” from the Académie Charles Cros (France). A prolific sideman appearing on over 60 records, Kevin’s long list of notable musical associations include records with Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Nicholas Payton, and Al Foster.

2011’s Modern Music (Nonesuch), a piano duo collaboration with Brad Mehldau and composer Patrick Zimmerli, garnered widespread critical acclaim. The duo premiered several works at Carnegie Hall, and has toured throughout the US, Europe, and South America. The solo Variations (Pirouet, 2011), was released to excellent reviews throughout North America and Europe. The record features three sets of improvised variations on several original themes, along with exquisite variations on a fugue by Robert Schumann.

The New Day Trio is Kevin’s latest project with bassist Rob Jost (Bjork, Tony Scherr) and drummer Greg Joseph (Steve Kuhn, Art Garfunkel). Developing over a 2 year residency at New York’s 55 Bar, the trio performs a unique and diverse repertoire including new compositions by Kevin, works by 20th century composer Henryk Gorecki, singer-songwriters Bob Dylan and Rodriguez, and re-workings of jazz standards.

Kevin’s latest album, New Day (Sunnyside) was recorded during the summer of 2014. It features nine new compositions and several vocal performances by Hays including an arresting rendition of Jimmy Webb’s classic ‘Highwayman’. New Day marks Hays’s return to the studio and first release in over 3 years. Produced by Matt Pierson (Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman, Mark Turner), the new album features Kevin’s core trio of Rob Jost (bass) and Greg Joseph (drums) plus special guests Gregoire Maret (harmonica) and Tony Scherr (guitar).

 During his concert in Jazz Dock he will be accompanied by great musicians well-known to the local public as Jaromír Honzák on double bass and Marián Ševčík from Slovakia on drums.

Admission seating CZK 450, standing CZK 250.

Band website: www.kevinhays.com