Fresh recipients of the Anděl Award, Jiří Kotača & Alf Carlsson, form a joint quartet led by Swedish guitarist Alf Carlsson and Czech trumpeter Jiří Kotača. These two acclaimed musicians were brought together by their studies in Rotterdam, and half a year after returning to their home countries, a planned visit by Alf to the Czech Republic evolved into a short tour—and eventually into a fully established band.
In 2024, the quartet released their highly praised second album Our Stories. As leading music journalist Milan Bátor wrote: “This album meets the highest standards of a truly contemporary, globally active approach to jazz.” Their music blends everything they love: influences of lyrical Scandinavian music and modern jazz, enriched with touches of R’n’B, hip hop, pop, and rock. Enhanced by live electronics, this fusion creates the band’s distinctive sound, emphasizing sonic diversity and strong, memorable melodies.
Alf Carlsson has composed music for the Nobel Peace Prize, while Jiří Kotača is a recipient of the Anděl Award as well as the Czech Jazz Harvest prize. The band is completed by two of the most sought-after young Slovak jazz musicians: Peter Korman on double bass and electric bass, and Kristián Kuruc on drums.
The quartet has performed dozens of concerts at jazz festivals and clubs across Egypt, Taiwan, Sweden, Bulgaria, Austria, Italy, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
Line-up:
Alf Carlsson – guitar
Jiří Kotača – trumpet / flugelhorn
Peter Korman – double bass / electric bass
Kristián Kuruc – drums
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