Vápenicefest Brazil 2026 @ Ateliér 57, Beroun | 19.7.2026
Prague’s best jazz club, the one in Beroun, Ateliér 57, hosted Vápenicefest Brazil yesterday—an extraordinary international jazz festival featuring an incredible lineup of musicians seamlessly blending European, American, and Brazilian musical traditions. The festival set a brand-new audience record. I dare say this massive turnout had nothing to do with the beautiful summer weather or the brilliant arrangements around the event; this time, the sheer weight of the incredible performer lineup made all the difference. I have quickly learned that the people attending Ateliér 57’s monthly concerts are deeply aware of the world-class quality of music served here, and yesterday was no exception. On the contrary, it raised the bar.
The three main performing acts provided a spectacular showcase of global talent: the Tuomo Uusitalo Trio, led by the award-winning jazz pianist and composer originally from Finland; the Zeurítia Quartet, fronted by the established and Czech jazz vocalist; and the Fernanda Santanna Quartet, a true powerhouse foursome straight from the source in Brazil.
With a setup this formidable, there was simply no need for substitutes. Tuomo Uusitalo kicked off the show and instantly took complete control of the Ateliér 57 courtyard. With a modern approach to jazz standards and an elegant technical precision shaped by multicultural influences, the audience was eating out of his hand from the very first notes. There seemed to be no end to the loud, roaring ovations his trio drew—and they were all more than well-deserved. The Zeurítia Quartet picked up exactly where Tuomo left off, wrapping the crowd effortlessly around her fingers with the infectious Latin rhythms that have become her signature trademark. Predictably, she earned her own massive share of thunderous applause.
The native Mineira powerhouse
Bringing the festival to a triumphant close, our final act of the evening was a genuine, native Mineira from Brazil: the Fernanda Santanna Quartet. This musical powerhouse instantly transported the entire crowd straight to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. If it had been up to me—or anyone else in the audience—we would have happily stayed there forever. Their act was 100% flawless, both musically and technically. While the previous performances were equally perfect, this was something entirely different. It was an ethereal vibe that I won’t even attempt to analyze or explain; it is something you simply must experience for yourself. The ovations followed the band through their entire set, and once the music stopped, the cheering was so loud it must have been heard all the way in the center of Beroun. What an absolute legendary gig!
This was sadly the last outdoor courtyard event of the season for A57, which feels like a true shame. These summer happenings have evolved into what must be recognized as some of the top festival experiences in the entire country. Though intimate and small in size, the venue offers everything required to make a festival a resounding success. There are no loud drunks trying to steal the spotlight here; people come strictly for the high-quality art. It is a beautiful family affair where you can bring your kids, your dogs, or your goats without a single hesitation. It is a safe haven to meet old and new friends, and for some bizarre reason, the weather at this venue is always flawless!
I completely realize that organizing events of this magnitude is no walk in the park. Still, I deeply hope Bára and Jesse will rethink their schedule for the future—after all, there is still plenty of summer left! And since there is so much summer left, I think I will just head down to the Copacabana boardwalk and see if there is any action.
The Lineups:- Tuomo Uusitalo Trio: Tuomo Uusitalo (piano), Matej Štubniak (double bass), Jesse Simpson (drums)
- Zeurítia Quartet: Zeurítia (vocals), Libor Šmoldas (guitar), Matej Štubniak (double bass), Jesse Simpson (drums)
- Fernanda Santanna Quartet: Fernanda Santanna (vocals), Will Magalhães (guitar), Berval Moraes (bass), Felix Gärtner (drums)
To see all the yesterday’s pictures click HERE!
