Jazz festivals highlight experimental music in Saalfelden and Hradec Králové

The jazz festival season features prominent events in Austria and the Czech Republic. In Saalfelden, the Jazz Festival Saalfelden showcased experimental and improvisational performances, including the Lava Quartet, which utilized organic musical materials and intense sonic builds, and the Vienna-based Mel*E trio, which blended club culture with synthetic sounds.

In the Czech Republic, the 32nd edition of the Jazz Goes to Town festival is scheduled for October 6–10, 2026, in Hradec Králové. The event will feature 12 musical projects across six venues, including international improvisational artists such as Rodrigo Amado, Joëlle Léandre, and Gerald Cleaver. The lineup also highlights regional talent, including the Lenka Gálisová Quartet and saxophonist Marcel Bárta, with unique settings such as a concert held in a Finnish sauna.