As the Czech Republic holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union amidst the Russian invasion against Ukraine, Ukraine has become a key priority not only for the European Union but also for the Czech Republic. Russian aggression is not only an attack on Ukraine, but also an attack on rules-based international order, putting at risk world security.  

The Embassy of the Czech Republic together with the Delegation of the European Union in Tunisia and the Embassy of Ukraine organised an event – a jazz concert with focus on the on-going war in Ukraine - as a reminder that Ukraine still needs the attention and, in particular, the assistance of the international community.

The concert was an opportunity to raise the awareness of the war in Ukraine among  the Tunisian and international public. It was attended by representatives of the international community and Tunisian public and private sector. Symbolically, two of three musicians of the jazz band are of Ukrainian origin.

During the concert, approx. 20 pictures  were exposed, as a testimony of the Russian attacks as well as showing the effort of Ukrainian citizens to live a normal life.

About the Najponk:

The Najponk Trio (Najponk – piano, Taras Voloschuk – double bass, Marek Urbánek – drums) www.najponk.com  have been playing together since the spring of 2013. They have given concerts in different European countries and South Africa. In 2018, they went on tour with trumpeter Valery Ponomarev and in 2019 with legendary Danish drummer Alex Riel.

Since 2013, the trio has released at least one CD a year in Japan (Gats Production Ltd.).

Najponk has also recorded two trio albums with bassist George Mraz and one with drummer Gregory Hutchinson.

While the Najponk Trio is a mere continuation of the classical jazz piano trios of the 1950s and 1960s, such as those conducted by Junior Mance, Wynton Kelly, Bobby Timmons, Sonny Clark and others, its music also includes approaches from current musicians like the David Hazeltine Trio and the Kenny Barron Trio.

Najponk won two Anděl Awards (a Czech version of Grammy) for jazz.

Examples also available on YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDdR5K9m2Tg