One Day Jazz Festival first time in Košice

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, to bring the festival to East Slovakia for the first time in its history. On 26^th February 2013 at 7pm, Košice’s Historic Town Hall will host performances by Frank McComb, Andrej Šeban Band, and jazz trio Depart Refire.

The town of Košice is currently boasting the title European Capital of Culture 2013. However, this year is a real turning point for Košice, as it will hold one of the series of One Day Jazz Festival for the first time. In February, the one-day event becomes a travelling festival for a while. All artists will perform on 27^th February at Istropolis, Bratislava, and a day earlier in Košice at the HistoricTown Hall.

The biggest attraction of this year’s One Day Jazz Festival is definitely the divine American musician and singer Frank McComb, who speaks fluently his mother tongue of soul, jazz and blues. His virtuoso singing and piano playing made him an indispensable and highly desired multi-instrumentalist, and a popular showman of the jazz, soul and R&B scene. During his career he collaborated with many jazz greats, such as Prince, Chaka Khan, Teddy Pedergrass, Gerard Levert, Stewie Wonder, or Donny Hathaway – McComb is often likened to his voice. His album A Tribute To The Masters pays tribute to the musicians who influenced and inspired him, 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, Košice will also welcome jazz trio Depart Refire with Martin Valihora on drums. Martin has replaced Jojo Mayer after 15 years and became part of the trio. 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 to play each concert uniquely, and such will be the eight series of One Day Jazz Festival.

One Day Jazz Festival is a prestigious music project that already boasts a 5-year tradition. It aims to mediate a quality musical experience to the general public through performances by writers and interprets of 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 Slovak and foreign jazz scenes, as well as to raise the profile of young progressive artists´ innovative approaches. In recent years, One Day Jazz Festival presented artists such as George Duke, John McLaughlin, Chaka Khan, Lee Ritenour, Anthony Jackson, Hiromi, Tower Of Power, etc.

Tickets for One Day Jazz Festival can be purchased through the Ticketportal network, at the ticketportal.sk website, and directly at the HistoricTown Hall in Košice.