Zagreb Youth Theatre
JazzHR and HDS Unite Tradition and World-Class Jazz in Celebratory Concerts by Richard Bona at ZKM and Jazz Continuo at BP Club
Following the concert by jazz star Richard Bona and his quintet at the Zagreb Youth Theatre (ZKM), the musical and celebratory evening marking the 80th anniversary of the Croatian Composers’ Society (HDS) continues at the legendary BP Club with a performance by Jazz Continuo, a group formed in honor of jazz legend Boško Petrović.
On Monday, November 24, world-renowned bassist, vocalist, and composer Richard Bona—one of the most charismatic and respected musicians of our time—will perform with his quintet at ZKM. The concert is part of JazzHR , the concert season of the Croatian Composers’ Society, which this year celebrates its 80th anniversary, and is presented in partnership with the French Institute in Croatia.
Born in Cameroon into a family of musicians, Bona spent several years in France before settling in New York, where he has lived for the past few decades. These intercontinental influences are deeply woven into his music, which blends jazz with African rhythms, Caribbean and Latin melodies, as well as elements of pop and world music, creating a distinctive and virtuoso sound, energetic yet deeply emotional.
A multi-instrumentalist and exceptional vocalist, Bona is known for his captivating stage presence and unique rapport with audiences. He is a Grammy Award winner, recipient of France’s Victoires du Jazz Award for Best International Artist, and numerous other honors. Over his career, he has collaborated with such greats as Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, Quincy Jones, Chick Corea, Buena Vista Social Club, Cesária Évora, Sting, and many others.
At ZKM, Bona will perform with his quintet: Guido Della Gatta (guitar), Nicolas Viccaro (drums), Alex Herichon(trumpet), and Michael Lecoq (keyboards).
The ZKM concert is designed as a special musical evening that will continue at the iconic BP Club. After nearly sixteen years of hiatus, JazzHR will exclusively and for one night only reopen the doors of this legendary home of Croatian jazz with a performance by Jazz Continuo.
The concert is a collaboration between JazzHR, its artistic director Borna Šercar, and Jazz Continuo creators Mario Mavrin (bass) and Primož Grašič (guitar)—longtime collaborators and friends of Boško Petrović, the Croatian jazz legend and spiritus movens of the local jazz scene, whose creative epicenter was the BP Club. Performing that evening will be Vid Jamnik (vibraphone), Primož Grašič (guitar), Mario Mavrin (bass), David Gazarov (piano), and Tijan Grašič (drums).
This program, initiated by Borna Šercar, revives the spirit of the former Jazz Fair festival, whose concerts were once held at ZKM and continued with spontaneous jam sessions at BP Club. These sessions often evolved into unforgettable late-night gatherings where Croatian and international jazz legends played side by side, creating an atmosphere that defined the golden age of Zagreb jazz.
Now, through the collaboration between JazzHR and Borna Šercar, Jazz Continuo continues that tradition, bringing it back to the space most intimately connected with this music—the BP Club.
Together, Richard Bona’s concert at ZKM and the Jazz Continuo performance at BP Club form a conceptually unified musical celebration devoted to jazz—its present, its history, and its enduring bond with the audience. With these events, JazzHR not only presents a world-class international artist but also symbolically returns the jazz scene to the venues that have shaped its tradition.
Concert: Richard Bona Quintet
📅 Monday, November 24, 2025 – 8:00 PM
📍 Zagreb Youth Theatre (ZKM), Teslina 7
Line-up:
Richard Bona – bass, vocals
Guido Della Gatta – guitar
Nicolas Viccaro – drums
Alex Herichon – trumpet
Michael Lecoq – keyboards
Concert: Jazz Continuo
📅 Monday, November 24, 2025 – 10:00 PM
📍 BP Club, Teslina 7
Line-up:
Vid Jamnik – vibraphone
Primož Grašič – guitar
Mario Mavrin – bass
Guests:
David Gazarov – piano
Tijan Grašič – drums