Liberec Jazz Festival – Libejazz @ Saturday 22.8.2026

Ladislav Nič – drums

Liberec Jazz Festival – Libejazz @ Terrace of the North Bohemian Museum | Saturday, 22.8.2026, 17:00

There is always a first time for everything, and normally, the first time is something you will remember for the rest of your life. This weekend, the Czech Republic is about to witness one of those exact milestones. Welcome to Libejazz—a brand-new, completely fresh festival launching onto the summer map, packed to the brim with the country’s most promising rising stars.

Granted, not everyone on the bill falls into the simple category of “promising talent,” because a few heavy-hitters have already made massive international names for themselves. The festival’s headline guest, Daniel Bulatkin, is likely known to almost every jazz-loving soul in the country. As a fiercely creative pianist, organist, and composer, Daniel is already a celebrated figure well outside our borders. If I wore a hat, I would raise it to him high. Daniel doesn’t need to be playing a brand-new grassroots festival on a museum terrace, but his presence on the lineup shows a true, honest, and uncorrupted love for the music and its future players. Spectacularly nice going, Daniel! 🤟🎹

There’s a little white cat out on the coast who’s gonna eat you up!

The bold initiative for this entire event was taken by Liberec’s own incredibly talented young drummer, Ladislav Nič. Alongside a dedicated team of friends, he has built an exceptionally impressive list of performers. Many of these young names are likely unknown (for now!) to the average jazz consumer, mostly because of their youth. But make no mistake: the sheer technical skill and raw fire possessed by these young musicians is terrifyingly good. To describe their energy, I will gladly borrow Charlie “Bird” Parker’s legendary quote: “There’s a little white cat out on the coast who’s gonna eat you up.”

That explosive, untamed potential is the exact reason my camera bag is packed for Liberec this weekend—and I highly suggest you do the same. After all, ten years from now, when the outdoor terrace of the North Bohemian Museum has long since become too small to hold the crowds, and we are discussing Libejazz as a major pillar of the European festival circuit, you will be able to look back, smile, and tell your grandchildren: “I was there at the very first one, back in the old days when everything was intimate and raw.” 😉

These young cats have built a terrific, sleek website packed with every piece of travel and venue information you need—and of course they have, as they were raised entirely on the World Wide Web! Visit their official festival site to plan your trip, and I will see you all under the northern sky this Saturday afternoon!

If the weather gods try to put a dampener on this soulful entertainment, don’t worry—the whole celebration will simply move indoors!” 🎷🌧️🏠

Below is a small gallery of some of these brilliant musicians appearing on Saturday.