The Club Life series takes place in the stylish setting of Cabaret des Péchés, offering intimate, close-up concert experiences. Next year — when JazzFestBrno celebrates its 25th anniversary — the series adds nine new international and Czech artists, bands and ensembles. These include the trio of Jon Cowherd with the famed drummer Brian Blade, the Czech debut of young piano virtuoso Julius Rodriguez, the return of Israeli pianist Shai Maestro, the legendary American organ trio Bernstein–Goldings–Stewart, the Chicago-based Marquis Hill Composers Collective blending jazz, hip hop and neo-soul, and Israeli jazz-rock guitarist Oz Noy with his band.
The first half of JazzFestBrno 2026 will offer at least eleven concert evenings from 6 February to 12 May, featuring artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Brad Mehldau & Christian McBride, Joshua Redman and the trio of Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda and Antonio Sánchez.
"We're delighted that our club series grows every year and that it has become a favourite with our audience. These gigs are usually completely sold out and the atmosphere is fantastic — it proves that jazz belongs in a club," says Vilém Spilka, the festival's artistic director.
The Club Life series begins on 3 March in Cabaret des Péchés with the American trio Cowherd–Scherr–Blade. "Here, most attention goes to Brian Blade, the uncrowned king of contemporary jazz drummers. His dynamic polyrhythmic playing is living water for any band," says Spilka. This time Blade appears alongside pianist Jon Cowherd and bassist Tony Scherr, who also accompanies Norah Jones on selected concerts.
The Czech premiere of the 27-year-old pianist Julius Rodriguez will take place on 22 March. "When you hear his music — a blend of jazz, gospel and blues — it’s clear jazz is in good hands. He seamlessly unites rigorous academic training from Juilliard with a street-level musical sensibility," says Spilka.
The evening of 7 April offers two concerts. In the first half, the new band of leading Czech guitarist Libor Šmoldas will christen a new album. In the second half of the evening, the legendary American trio of guitarist Peter Bernstein, organist Larry Goldings, and drummer Bill Stewart takes the stage — a threesome regarded as one of the finest instrumental ensembles in the world. "The trio returns to Brno after twelve years, and their sound has shaped several generations of followers. The depth of their musical connection is simply unparalleled," notes Spilka.
On Sunday 19 April, Brno welcomes the Marquis Hill Composers Collective, a leading representative of Chicago’s eclectic scene. "Hill is one of the most respected trumpeters today, and his cross-genre approach — compositionally sophisticated yet free — draws equally from jazz, hip hop and neo-soul," Spilka says. The first half of the night features the quartet of Slovak trumpeter Lukáš Oravec, joined by phenomenal saxophonist Jure Pukl.
Two days later, on 21 April, Israeli pianist Shai Maestro returns to Brno. "Listeners know him from bassist Avishai Cohen’s band and value the immediacy of his musical communication, his melodic and rhythmic inventiveness, and his memorable compositions. His latest ensemble is built around a unique concept of two keyboard instruments and rhythm section," says Spilka.
Maestro will also have Czech support in the first part of the evening. The double bill opens with Glance, a project initiated by top Czech drummer Petr Nohavica, who composed the music and assembled the band. It features leading Czech jazz musicians including guitarist David Dorůžka and pianist Jiří Levíček. The album and live performances feature vocals by Allison Wheeler. "The album, released by Bivak Records, appeared in the wider nominations for the 2024 Anděl Award in the jazz category," adds Spilka.
The first half of 2026’s Club Life concludes on 12 May with the Brno premiere of Israeli guitarist Oz Noy and his top-tier band. "His style is best described as jazz-rock fusion, organically blending Hendrix-like drive with jazz sophistication. For his Brno debut he is bringing first-class musicians: bassist Janek Gwizdala and drummer Clarence Penn," concludes Spilka.
The 25th edition of JazzFestBrno opens on 6 February in Sono with a joint concert by banjoist Béla Fleck, harpist Edmar Castañeda and drummer Antonio Sánchez — AKA BEATrio. Three masters of their instruments, holders of a combined 22 Grammy Awards, will meet on one stage to show that even such an unusual and surprising musical combination can work brilliantly and captivate audiences. A week later, Brno hosts one of the most important jazz figures of the mid-generation, bassist, singer and composer Esperanza Spalding. A five-time Grammy winner, she blends jazz, fusion, neo-soul, R&B, bossa nova and Latin American jazz in her own unmistakable way. On Saturday 28 March, the Besední dům presents two formative artists: pianist, composer and Grammy winner Brad Mehldau, and nine-time Grammy-winning bassist and composer Christian McBride. Exactly a month later, Sono will come alive with British instrumental trio GoGo Penguin, one of the most closely watched UK bands, whose music mixes elements of trip-hop, breakbeat, minimalism and progressive rock. Their music creates the impression of intricate electronic production — but using only acoustic instruments: piano, double bass and drums. On 5 May, also in Sono, one of the defining voices of contemporary jazz, the charismatic saxophonist Joshua Redman, will take the stage.
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