- Their European minitour includes a concert in Rudolfinum

The Nordic Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Sweden in Prague present a jazz concert to mark the Swedish EU Presidency which begins on 1 July as Sweden takes over from the Czech Republic.

The concert will be introduced by Her Excellency Catherine von Heidenstam, Ambassador of Sweden, and Mr Stefan Lager, President of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce. 

“We are honoured to participate in the preparations of an event connected to Sweden’s assumption of the EU Presidency,” says Stefan Lager, President of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce. “We believe that this jazz concert in Rudolfinum, performed by Bobo Stenson, one of Sweden’s leading jazz musicians, together with the well known Czech-Swedish jazz musician Rudy Linka is a very good example of Swedish-Czech cultural cooperation.”

The concert will take place on 29 June 2009 in Rudolfinum’s Dvořák Hall. At the occasion, the two renowned jazzmen will team up for the first time – Rudy Linka (guitar) and Bobo Stenson (piano). They will perform their own music as well as traditional jazz and songs inspired by folk music of both countries.

Rudy Linka has been voted as one of the ten best guitarists in the world by readers of the prestigious Down Beat Magazine. He has 14 CDs out on labels such as Enja, Timeless, Universal and Sony BMG and has performed with such jazz greats as Paul Motian, Larry Grenadier and John Scofield among many others.  

Some years ago readers of the prestigious Down Beat Magazine voted him one of the world’s best guitar players. Since 2005 Rudy Linka has been arranging the Bohemia Jazz Fest (for which he is also President), taking place in July in the main squares of several Czech cities, including Prague.

Bobo Stenson effectively defined the term “modern piano” in the late 1960s. As one of the founders of the “ECM sound” he has performed with legends such as Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Gary Burton and many others. Stenson’s last CD, “Cantando” (at ECM) is recorded with his trio Anders Jormin (base) and Jon Fält (drums).

The first concert of this tour will be performed in Stockholm on 28 June, followed by Prague and then in Brussels on 2 July 2009.  

The Prague performance is arranged with support by its main partner SWEDEN TELECOM as well as partners ERICSSON and in cooperation with FOUR SEASONS Hotel Prague, Czech Centers and Prague Information Center (PIS). 

The jazz concert in Rudolfinum is not only for members of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and their guests, but for all jazz friends. Tickets will be available in Rudolfinum’s box offices or in the office of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce.

 "Rimini", excerpted from Linka's "Lucky Southern"

 "Song of Ruth", excerpted from Stenson's "Cantando" 

source: foto Bohemia Jazz Fest & ČJS, music (c) Rudy Linka & ECM