BIO
Award-winning pianist, organist & composer Daniel Bulatkin (*1999, Prague, CZ), currently residing in the Netherlands, is one of the leading voices of young Czech jazz. Dubbed a “rising star” and “extreme talent” by his contemporaries as well as critics, Daniel has performed in over 20 countries on multiple continents as both a captivating leader and a versatile sideman.
In 2021, Daniel completed the bachelor program at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, in 2024 he completed the master program at Codarts University of Arts in Rotterdam with a focus on collaborating with string quartets. Over the span of his relatively short career he has collaborated with widely recognized artists such as: Ulf Wakenius (SE), Gary Husband (UK), David Friedman (US), Gergo Borlai (HU), Ben Tiberio (US), Tony Lakatos (HU), Szymon Mika (PL), Per Mathisen (NO), Martin Valihora (SK), Zhenya Strigalev (UK/RU)… At 19, he’s had the opportunity to present his music in Bratislava (SK), alongside 2x Grammy winning saxophonist Tineke Postma and drum phenom Justin Faulkner.
To date, Daniel has released three critically acclaimed albums. His first was “The New Beginning” (Alessa Records, AT) with B/Y Organism, featuring Daniel mostly as an organist. The second record “Drifter Days” (Lukas Oravec Records, SK) is a product of extensive touring alongside British saxophone prodigy Tom Smith. Daniel’s most recent album was released in July 2022 on Ubuntu Music (UK). This time in the role of arranger, producer and pianist, Daniel supports US vocalist, composer & songwriter Allison Wheeler. His playing and compositions are also featured on an upcoming album of Gilad Atzmon’s European 4tet, scheduled for release in early 2025.
Aside from that, Daniel has been recognized as a budding compositional talent. His piece “The Simple Things” featuring Seamus Blake won the OSA award for “Best Czech Jazz Composition” in 2024, while another of his compositions “Lady of the Lake”, arranged for big band by Andy Schofield, is a part of the repertoire of the Jazz Dock Orchestra – one of Czech Republic’s leading big bands.
His current project Herak/Bulatkin Quartet, based in the Netherlands, has been selected as one of the ambassadors of Czech jazz in 2024. As such, they’ve performed at Tbilisi Jazz Festival (GE), Jerusalem Jazz Festival (IL), Amersfoort Jazz Festival (NL), with more concerts scheduled at Jarasum Jazz Festival (KR) and Józsefvárosi Jazzfesztivál (HU). This group also has 2 singles on the way, which feature master saxophonist Seamus Blake.
Aside from extensive experience with teaching privately, he was also a member of faculty at the International Conservatory in Prague (2018-20).
COLLABORATIONS: David Friedman (US), Ben Tiberio (US), Luis Bonilla (US), Szymon Mika (PL), Tony Lakatos (HU), Mike Gotthard (HU), Zhenya Strigalev (GB/RU), Martin Valihora (SK), Per Mathisen (NO), Alon Near (IL), Aviv Cohen (IL), Conor Chaplin (UK), Marc Michel (FR), Paulo Morello (DE), Stefan Lievestro (NL), Jasper Blom (NL), Ondřej Štveráček, Yvonne Sanchez, Robert Balzar, the Fečo family, Martina Bárta, to name a few…
NOTABLE VENUES: Garana Jazz Festival (RO), Jarasum Jazz Festival (KR), Tbilisi Jazz Festival (GE), Jerusalem Jazz Festival (IL), Dubrovnik Summer Festival (HR), North Sea Round Town (NL), Jazzfest Passau (DE), Jazzfestival Steyr (AT), PizzaExpress Jazz Club Soho (GB), Budapest Jazz Club (HU), Tangente+ Jazz Club (LI), JazzClub Tonne (DE), A-Trane Jazz Club (DE), Blue Note (SK), JazzFestBrno (CZ), Bohemia Jazz Fest (CZ), Jazzinec Festival (CZ), Jazz Dock (CZ)…