HAMU Jazz Thursday @ Divadlo Inspirace | 22.10.2026
Marty Kout (d); Mikuláš Homolka (tr, flh); Jiří Pokorný (key); Bergur Fonsdal Johannesen (b);
Thursday night means another jazzy session in the historic stone vaults of the Liechtenstein Palace. It also means another evening spent immersed in the raw artistry of young, highly skilled performers who don’t need to apologize to anyone—and honestly, why should they? I am long past the point of being amazed by the pure technical proficiency these university students possess. These days, I simply show up to enjoy the music they bring to life. Last night was no exception.
A small side note for the uninitiated: there are actually two different buildings named the Liechtenstein Palace (Lichtenštejnský palác) in Prague, and visitors frequently mix them up. The one I attend is on Malostranské náměstí (Lesser Town Square 13) in the heart of Malá Strana—not the Baroque water palace over on Kampa Island. Make sure you navigate to the right vault!
So, I stepped into the correct palace almost blindfolded. Mikuláš Homolka—who was brilliant on both trumpet and flugelhorn—mentioned this was actually the very first premiere for this exact lineup. The band had been searching hard for the right sonic direction, and right after the gig, they still weren’t even sure if the gamble had worked.
From my seat in the audience, I can give them a definitive answer: YES, it absolutely worked. And I was certainly not alone in that opinion:
- The Vibe: The two sets brought a style that I suppose could be called contemporary melodic jazz—but with a brave, highly original twist that wasn’t afraid to conquer entirely new musical territory. The sets felt remarkably different, yet they clearly belonged together.
- The Crowd: The room erupted into loud, spontaneous ovations throughout the night. In fact, a Canadian couple sitting near me was so blown away they immediately asked for the band’s contact info to take their music back home.
- The Verdict: Sometimes, the pieces just click. The only real catch here is that this is currently a “school band” with all the scheduling realities that come with it. I sincerely hope these guys give this project the opportunity it deserves, because last night felt like the beginning of something truly special.
These HAMU Thursdays have firmly woven themselves into my regular musical world. Judging by the magic on display last night, I highly suggest you start doing the same.
Thank You Ykä for coming and even more for your kind words.
Greetings
Miky Homolka
🙏 The honor belongs to you guys, I only sat and enjoyed myself!😀