Instead of a classic concert arrangement, the space of the hall will be filled with round tables for four and six guests, the area will be enveloped in intimate bar lighting, and the atmosphere will be enhanced by a glass of champagne that the audience will be able to symbolically toast together with the artists. Smigmator will thus continue his legendary club evenings and bring their closeness and personal contact with the audience to a space with a capacity of nearly 3000 seats.
The symbolism of the date is not accidental. On April 29, 2023, Smigmator performed as the first-ever Czech jazz singer with a solo concert at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York. The capacity of O2 universum is comparable to this iconic hall, and the concert will thus be a symbolic return from the American musical temple back home – in grand style.
The Ultimate Jazz Night will feature an extraordinary international lineup. Smigmator's musical friends and personalities from the world stage have accepted the invitation – the legendary American saxophonist Scott Hamilton, Broadway star Luba Mason, and the twenty-five-time Grammy winner, singer, actor, and composer Rubén Blades. From the domestic scene, the rock matador Petr Janda has accepted the invitation, who will perform and sing together with Smigmator and his Big Band. Their joint duet promises to be one of the most surprising moments of the evening – the connection of two prominent personalities across genres and generations.
Smigmator will be accompanied by his own Big Band and a large choir. The audience can look forward to swing, jazz, soul, salsa, and film evergreens in rich arrangements, as well as special duets and a dramaturgy that will connect the Great American Songbook with original works, swing classics, and Latin American energy. The large hall will thus transform into a pulsating club for several hours, where nobility meets spontaneity and grand sound meets intimate experience.
A part of the evening will also be the ceremonial launch of the new album Here And Now, which was created in New York's Flux Studios together with all the international guests and organist Ondřej Pivec. The recording brings international duets and a unique atmosphere, which will now be presented live to the Czech audience for the first time.
“I would like O2 universum to transform into a world jazz club for one night only – so we can toast with champagne, enjoy the full-bodied sound of a top-notch big band, and at the same time experience the intimacy of a real club meeting. I believe we can do it,” says Jan Smigmator. If his wish comes true, Prague will await an evening on April 29, 2026, that will carry a clear label: one night only.
Tickets are on sale at official networks Ticketmaster and Ticketportal.
Jan Smigmator https://www.smigmator.com/
