Alfredo Rodriguez + Blu/Bry + Stivín–Zbrožek–Slavík

The story of Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez resembles a modern musical fairy tale in which uncompromising classical discipline collides with the untamed energy of Havana’s streets and a life-changing intervention from a legend.

Born into a musical family in Havana, Alfredo Rodriguez was given both an excellent foundation and a demanding musical education at prestigious Cuban conservatories. There, he spent years refining his technique through the works of Bach, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff. It was precisely this strict European classical background, combined with the ever-present Afro-Cuban rhythms he absorbed outside the classroom walls, that shaped his utterly distinctive musical voice.

The turning point of his life came in 2006 at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where the young pianist caught the attention of legendary producer Quincy Jones. Jones was so impressed by Rodriguez’s talent that he immediately decided to take him under his wing. For Rodriguez, this meant a dramatic life change: in 2009 he emigrated to the United States, leaving behind his family and entire background in Cuba. Under Jones’s guidance, he released his debut album Sounds of Space, which immediately established him on the global jazz scene.

Rodriguez quickly proved himself to be a visionary unwilling to be confined to the label of a “Latin jazz pianist.” His music blends traditional Cuban genres such as son and mambo with modern jazz, avant-garde influences, and classical music. His later albums, including the Grammy-nominated The Invasion Parade, only confirmed this artistic direction.

Today, Alfredo Rodriguez is an internationally sought-after concert artist renowned for his electrifying live performances, during which he can transform the piano into an entire rhythmic ensemble. He performs like a force of nature—his playing is percussive, explosive, and yet technically flawless.

The Polish jazz group Blu/Bry is a compelling example of the progressive spirit of today’s European jazz scene. This finely balanced instrumental quintet was one of the standout discoveries of the Central European Jazz Showcase held in Brno at 2025.

The young musicians began shaping their shared musical vision in 2019 and have officially performed under the name Blu/Bry since 2021. The band’s sound is characterized by openness and a collective approach in which individual virtuosity serves the whole. Their music remains rooted in modern European jazz while naturally weaving in elements of classical music, subtle folk inspirations, and delicate electronic textures. The result is music full of twists, layered motifs, and unexpected atmospheres, where compositions flow seamlessly from lyrical passages into dense grooves.

The uniqueness of the band is further underscored by the fact that its members gained experience at prestigious institutions such as Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Danish National Academy of Music, and the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen. Their exceptional talent is reflected in the lightning-fast start of their career, marked by triumphs at major Polish and international competitions. Blu/Bry received Grand Prix awards at prestigious festivals including Jazz nad Odrą, Jazz Juniors, Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa, and the aforementioned Central European Jazz Showcase in Brno. Their outstanding position on the scene was definitively confirmed by their victory in the prestigious Jazz Forum poll (Jazz Top 2024), where they were named “New Hope of the Year.”

The meeting of three distinctive personalities and multi-instrumentalists of the Czech music scene promises a concert experience that completely transcends conventional genre boundaries. All three artists move effortlessly across an exceptionally broad stylistic spectrum while also being inventive composers in their own right.

What unites them most profoundly is boundless playfulness, creative courage, and the joy of music coming into existence directly before the audience’s eyes and ears. On stage, they are not merely performers, but equal partners in a dialogue that connects centuries of musical history with wit and ease.

Audiences can look forward to a journey through time and musical styles. With complete naturalness, the music moves from the world of Baroque and the radiant clarity of Classicism into the passionate currents of jazz, eventually dissolving into liberating free improvisation. Each of the three protagonists brings a unique contribution to the ensemble. The legendary Jiří Stivín, master of flutes and saxophones, has for decades embodied absolute musical freedom and the ability to connect early music with modern jazz. Violinist Martin Zbrožek contributes not only virtuosity, but also a distinctive sense of dramaturgy, humor, and theatrical shorthand, while double bassist Jiří Slavík, a representative of the younger generation with international acclaim, provides a firm yet remarkably flexible rhythmic and harmonic foundation.

The entirely informal and joyful atmosphere radiating from the stage invites audiences into immediate connection with the performers. This trio’s concert is not a rigid academic affair, but a living organism in which the boundary between stage and audience gradually disappears. Listeners become witnesses to a unique musical alchemy where precise technique serves pure joy in playing and genuine human connection.