About this event
Kaisers New World is an international quartet led by Leipzig-based guitarist and composer Frank Kaiser. His original music moves on the boundary of modern jazz, Latin,
blues, tango, and world music, effortlessly crossing genre boundaries. A characteristic element of the ensemble is Valentin Butt's accordion, which, alongside the guitar, creates
an unmistakable sonic color palette and lends the compositions nostalgic depth and surprising harmonic shades. Frank Kaiser builds his compositions on strong melodies, thoughtful arrangements, and open space for improvisation. Individual tracks transport the listener into different musical worlds – from spirited grooves inspired by the sixties, through tango, to oriental moods. Music critics appreciate, above all, the extraordinary melodic invention, the virtuosity of all four instrumentalists, and the ability to create imaginative soundscapes that feel like wordless cinematic stories. At the Mandava Jazz festival, the quartet will present a concert that combines technical brilliance with an immediate joy of music-making. The music of Kaisers New World is accessible, colorful, and yet constantly innovative – it invites listeners into a world where jazz is not a closed style, but an open space for imagination.
Line-up: Frank Kaiser – guitar, Valentin Butt – accordion, Lukas Growe – double bass, Hans Otto – drums
The Prague trio PLOY is among the most interesting young projects at the crossroads of jazz, fusion, and alternative music. Guitarist Tom Braun, keyboardist Mikuláš Čimbura, and drummer Bohdan
Karásek have created an unusual line-up without a bass guitar, which has become a characteristic feature of their musical signature. Instead of traditional roles, an open space emerges in which individual instruments constantly transform, complement each other, and take over melodic and rhythmic functions. Ploy's music draws inspiration from jazz fusion, art rock, alternative pop, and improvisation.
The authors themselves jokingly say that their associations can connect the simplest folk song with the atmosphere of a William Faulkner novel or transform a well-known melody into an unexpected musical story. Their second album, Její jméno je Ploy, released in 2024, confirms their extraordinary creative invention and ability to transcend established genre boundaries. At the Mandava Jazz festival, Ploy will present a concert full of playfulness, improvisation, and original compositions. Their music is technically demanding but simultaneously accessible – it relies on strong melodies, surprising arrangements, and the joy of discovering new musical possibilities. PLOY treat music as a space for experiment, humor, and surprise – each track opens up a different story and a different way of listening.
Line-up: Tom Braun – guitar, cello, trumpet; Mikuláš Čimbura – synthesizers, Fender piano; Bohdan Karásek – drums, percussion
