I’m thrilled to be part of Polkatime , a very exciting new project by multi-instrumentalist and composer Jiří Slavik. We like to call it the Polkaboys, and it’s a powerful 9 piece ensemble with rhythm section, 3 strings and 3 wind-instruments. Jiří took it upon himself to show the link between Polka music, which originated from the Czechia, and the early Ragtime which took form in the USA around the beginning of the 20th century. Now it’s up to the audience to hear if this is true, but I can already tell that it’s joyful, virtuosic and very surprising. Jiří Slavik did an excellent job of selecting, rearranging and especially through-composing this not so often played music by Smetana, Dvořák, Janáček, Suk and others. And moreover, there’s plenty of space for Polka-style improvisation.