Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Bill Stewart & Libor Šmoldas Quartet

It is said to be the longest-running organ trio in jazz — and certainly one of the most vibrant. Each of the three musicians is a master in his own right, with a long list of individual projects, but when these three come together, something truly special happens.
They have been playing together for more than three decades, and although the history of jazz has seen many Hammond organ–guitar–drums trios, this one forged a unique and organic sound that has become a symbol of sophisticated, groove-driven jazz. Their music is full of telepathic interaction, deep harmonies, and unrestrained improvisation.

Each member of the trio is a star on his own. Organist Larry Goldings has collaborated closely over the years with John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Jim Hall, Maceo Parker, Madeleine Peyroux, and Pat Metheny. He has written music throughout his life for bandleaders he has worked with and is also a respected composer for film and television.
Guitarist Peter Bernstein studied with legendary guitarist Jim Hall, who once called him “the most impressive guitarist I’ve heard — the best in terms of swing, logic, feeling, and taste.” Bernstein has been a member of Joshua Redman’s band and Diana Krall’s quartet, performed with organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith, and recorded projects with Sonny Rollins, Etta James, and Brad Mehldau.
Drummer Bill Stewart is strongly associated with John Scofield, with whom he has collaborated continuously since 1990. He has also toured extensively with Pat Metheny, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, and Charlie Haden, and like his trio partners, he leads his own band, where he fully pursues his personal vision of jazz.

Their shared history goes back to the late 1980s, when they met on the New York jazz scene and, for a time, honed their interplay through weekly club residencies. They reached a level that critics often describe as telepathic, enabling unexpected musical dialogues and spontaneous ideas woven throughout their repertoire — from reimagined jazz standards to original compositions by all three members. Many of their dozen-plus albums are considered benchmarks of quality and inspiration in their field.

Libor Šmoldas Quartet: Sorry Miles!

Libor Šmoldas (guitar), Mikuláš Pokorný (piano), Jesse Simpson [USA] (drums) and Tomáš Baroš (double bass)

Jazz guitarist, composer, educator, and bandleader Libor Šmoldas is one of the most respected figures on the Czech jazz scene. He is known for his melodic sensibility, excellent technique, and broad stylistic range. His playing is rooted in the jazz tradition, yet he draws inspiration from contemporary music as well.
During his studies, he became a member of the first major band of his career — the Organic Quartet, led by organist Ondřej Pivec. In 2007, he released his debut solo album On The Playground.
Šmoldas moves fluidly between genres: on one side modern chamber-jazz aesthetics, on the other music inspired by the soul-jazz tradition of organ ensembles. He is also drawn to solo projects exploring Czech musical history, having recorded albums with the music of Jaroslav Ježek or arrangements of classic songs from Czech films of the 1930s. Beyond numerous collaborations with Czech musicians, he has worked with international instrumental stars such as bassist George Mraz, drummer Jeff Ballard, pianist Sam Yahel, and drummer Adam Nussbaum.

His current project, “Sorry, Miles!”, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary trumpeter Miles Davis. Conceptually, it focuses on compositions that have often been incorrectly attributed to Davis, despite historical sources pointing to different authors. Šmoldas seeks out these pieces, re-arranges them in a contemporary musical language, and complements them with his own compositions — offering the public a fresh look at the little-known story of disputed authorship surrounding one of the defining figures of 20th-century music.

At this concert, Šmoldas’s quartet will perform and christen the conceptual album Sorry, Miles!, which includes nine tracks — six historically associated with Miles Davis (Four, Tune Up, Solar, Donna Lee) and three original compositions by Šmoldas inspired by the context of Davis’s authorship. Everything will be performed in new arrangements for jazz quartet, with an emphasis on improvisation, collective interaction, and a contemporary sound.