One Day Jazz Festival brings top jazz to Košice

Košice, 18^th February 2013

Excellent American musician and singer Frank McComb, who speaks to his fans the language of soul, jazz and blues, will perform in East Slovakia on 26^th February 2013. He is the biggest attraction of this year’s One Day Jazz Festival. Slovakia is constantly experiencing a growing interest in jazz. Therefore, the One Day Jazz Festival organizers decided, in collaboration with the European Capital of Culture 2013, and for the first time in the festival’s history, to present this outstanding instrumentalist and other musicians to Košice, on Tuesday the 26^th February 2013 at 7pm in the Historic Town Hall on Hlavná Street (the former cinema Slovan).

His virtuoso singing and piano playing made him a popular showman of the jazz, soul and R&B scene. During his career, he has collaborated with many music greats, such as Prince, Chaka Khan, Teddy Pedergrass, Gerard Levert, Stewie Wonder, or Donny Hathaway – McComb’s voice is often likened to Hathaway’s. His album A Tribute To The Masters pays tribute to the musicians who influenced and inspired him most, namely Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Ramsey Lewis and George Duke. If you love authentic soul/jazz/R&B music, then you will surely fall for Frank McComb.

Besides Frank McComb, the HistoricTown Hall will also welcome jazz trio Depart Refire with Martin Valihora on drums. Martin has replaced Jojo Mayer after 15 years. Another unique set of One Day Jazz Festival will be performed by guitarist Andrej Šeban with his rejuvenated band full of energy and musical passion. His concerts promise a multidimensional and even immersive experience, with space for musical and spiritual improvisation. Andrej is renowned for playing each concert uniquely, and his performance at the eight series of One Day Jazz Festival is likely to continue this tendency.

The prestigious music project already boasts a 5-year tradition. It aims to mediate a quality musical experience to the general public through performances by authors and interpreters of the world, European and Slovak jazz scene. The Father and the Soul of the Festival is top Slovak drummer Martin Valihora, who has tried for years to strengthen the ties between the Slovak and foreign jazz scenes, as well as to raise the profile of young progressive artists and their innovative approaches. In recent years, One Day Jazz Festival has starred musical personalities such as George Duke, John McLaughlin, Chaka Khan, Lee Ritenour, Anthony Jackson, Hiromi, Tower Of Power, etc.

Frank McComb is one of the few artists who consistently range between nobly impassionate vocals and experienced musicianship. His virtuoso singing and piano works have made him an underground household name of the soul and jazz scene. Frank is much sought after by music ensembles. The musical prodigy started playing at 13 and four years later became the leader of his own jazz trio. Today, the whole world knows, listens to, and admires him.

The event is held under the auspices of Košice – European Capital of Culture 2013, n.o.