Jazzman of the Year
He received the Slovak Jazz Society award as the youngest holder in its history, at the age of 23.
2002Jazzman of the YearSlovak Jazz Society
Radovan Tariška
Saxophone / composition / bandleading
Slovak jazz saxophonist, composer and bandleader. Alto and soprano saxophone, modern jazz and bebop, Slovak folklore and the energy of international bands — from Carnegie Hall to Havana and Jakarta.
Selected stages
- Carnegie Hall
- Java Jazz Festival
- Jazz Plaza Havana
- Ottawa Jazz Festival
- Sunside Paris
Artist archive
Music, projects and the story of Radovan Tariška.
The official website brings together biography, albums, projects, photographs and practical material for festivals, clubs, media and booking.
Gustav Brom Big Band
Sixteen years in one of Europe's most respected big bands, leading the saxophone section.
Recordings
Original albums, guest appearances and arranging work; producer for Hanka G and David Hodek.
Carnegie Hall
The Slovaks at Carnegie Hall concert in New York, hosted by the Slovak Embassy in the USA.
Biography
Biography and musical journey
From Veľké Kozmálovce and the Žilina Conservatory to the Gustav Brom Big Band, Carnegie Hall, Havana, Jakarta and Ottawa. Radovan Tariška's career is built on concerts, recordings and long-term musical collaborations.
Radovan Tariška is a saxophonist with a clear alto sound, melodic imagination and a natural sense for musical dialogue. He started on clarinet at the age of five, studied at the Žilina Conservatory and in 2002 became the youngest ever recipient of the Jazzman of the Year award.
Read the full profileRecordings
Albums, recordings and original projects
Elements
A chamber duo project with pianist Ondrej Krajňák, nominated for the Aurel Award for jazz album of the year.
Radovan Tariška Sextet
An international line-up with Ryan Carniaux, Ondřej Štveráček, Ondrej Krajňák, Tomáš Baroš and Marián Ševčík. Debut at Bratislava Jazz Days 2009.
Folklore to Jazz
The flagship project joining Slovak folklore with post-Coltrane modal jazz. Guests include Benito Gonzalez, Essiet Okon Essiet, Alex Sipiagin and the Hodek brothers.
Modal Trap - Our World
A project with David and Aron Hodek on the edge of modal jazz, hip-hop and trap rhythm.
Projects
Original projects and collaborations
The projects connect original writing, Slovak folklore, Cuban collaborations, large-ensemble arranging and contemporary rhythmic energy.
Folklore to Jazz
An original project bringing Slovak folklore into a modal jazz language. Presented across Europe, in Jakarta, Shanghai, at Carnegie Hall and in Havana.
Modal Trap
A trio with David and Aron Hodek joining modal jazz with hip-hop and trap; album Our World.
Hot House
A bebop project with trumpeter Juraj Bartoš — his longest-running band as a leader.
Visegrad Jazz Exchange
The international quartet Tariška - Sarnecki - Baroš - Bágyi, touring and running workshops across the V4 countries.
Radio Band
His own big band project for new Slovak jazz writing and arranging work.
Gustav Brom Big Band
Sixteen years in the legendary big band, leading the saxophone section.
On tour
International stages
A selection of documented concerts and tours from the concert audit — festivals, halls and clubs across four continents.
26 January 2020
Carnegie Hall
New York, USA
The Slovaks at Carnegie Hall concert hosted by the Slovak Embassy. He appeared with Martin Valihora's quartet alongside Ron Affif and Marcus Strickland.
February 2020
Java Jazz Festival
Jakarta, Indonesia
With the NusantEro Big Band (25 Indonesian musicians and 11 European countries) he represented Slovakia at the largest jazz festival in the world.
2020, 2022, 2023
Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza
Havana, Cuba
Teatro Nacional, Teatro América and the closing concert on the La Punta esplanade. Collaborations with Rolando Luna and Carlos Sarduy.
June 2025
Ottawa Jazz Festival / National Arts Centre
Ottawa and Toronto, Canada
Folklore to Jazz with Benito Gonzalez and the Hodek brothers; the Canadian tour was supported by the Slovak diplomatic mission.
several times
White Nights Festival
St Petersburg and Russia
David Goloshchekin's jazz philharmonic and concerts on a river boat. A meeting with Louis Hayes and tours with pianist Alexey Podymkin.
second half of the 2010s
Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Shanghai, China
A concert at one of the largest conservatories in the world as part of the Folklore to Jazz presentation.
14 November 2025
Sunside / Jazzycolors festival
Paris, France
Repeated appearances at the Paris Jazzycolors festival and at the Sunside club.
several times
Concert tour
Spain
A tour with Gabriel Jonáš and Juraj Kalász through historic sites, castles and caves — with sold-out concerts.
Photographic archive
Gallery of concerts, portraits and projects
A curated set of photographs downloaded from the original radovantariska.com website, rebuilt with optimized previews and a full lightbox.
Booking / press
Booking, concerts, festivals and press
For concerts, festivals, masterclasses, interviews or technical questions, send a short message. We will follow up with availability, line-up and production details.
- Booking and production
- koncerty@radovantariska.com
- Technical material
- Stage plot and technical rider