Kristina Barta (MgA. Kristýna Urbánková Bárta) is a Czech jazz pianist, composer and bandleader based in Prague. Her music combines lyrical melodies, rhythmic freedom and a deeply personal approach to improvisation. Known for her expressive and energetic performances, she has developed a distinctive voice on the contemporary European jazz scene.
Kristina began her musical journey as an oboist before turning to the piano. Her classical training gave her a strong technical foundation, while her lifelong interest in jazz led her toward composition and improvisation. She studied classical and jazz piano at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory and later earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Jazz Piano at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.
Her work has taken her to stages across Europe, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazzahead!, Bohemia Jazz Fest and Amsterdam’s Bimhuis. Her achievements include first prize at the Jazz Prix Competition in 2015, the OSA and Bohemia Jazz Fest award for Best Jazz Song in 2016, and an individual piano award at Poland’s Krokus Jazz Festival in 2017. She was also a finalist in the Euroradio Jazz Competition and a member of the Euroradio Jazz Orchestra.
Kristina has released four albums: EMA29 (2017), Love and Passion (2020), Endless Questions and Answers (2023) and Red Landscape, released on 8 May 2026. Her latest album features original compositions alongside arrangements inspired by Central and Eastern European folk traditions. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with musicians including Jure Pukl, Omri Abramov, Ofri Nehemya, David Dorůžka and David Friedman.
Beyond her own performances and recordings, Kristina is developing a project for jazz sextet and symphony orchestra in collaboration with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, she founded Prague Impro Room, a platform and festival dedicated to contemporary jazz, improvisation and new artistic voices.
Selected Reviews and Interviews
“The music is an excellent example of modern European jazz, which elevates jazz exploration beyond well-trodden paths. Full of great music and passionate performances, this album is a joy from start to finish, making European jazz proud.”
— Adam Baruch (Israel)
“Endless Questions and Answers does not disappoint—it delivers many promises, if not many answers.”
— Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz (New York City, USA)
“Barta presents a fresh voice from the Czech jazz scene. We hope promoters in Western Europe will soon recognize this exceptional talent.”
— Concerto (Austria)
“All three jurors anonymously selected Kristina Barta for her innovative approach and the great interaction within her band members.”
— Ralf Dombrowski & Günter Schröder (Germany)
2025
Concert review — Boskovice Festival (Czechia)
2024
Concert review — Edinburgh Jazz Festival (Scotland)
2023
Album review — Endless Questions and Answers — All About Jazz (USA)
Album review — Endless Questions and Answers — Adam Baruch (Israel)
2022
Interview Czech Television Art — ArtZóna (Czechia)
2021
Album review — Love and Passion — Jazz’halo (Belgium)
Album review — Love and Passion — ČRo Vltava (Czechia)
Album review — Love and Passion — skjazz.sk (Slovakia)
Album review — Love and Passion — Jazzradar.com (Netherlands)
Interview Czech Jazz Radio (Czechia)
2019
Interview — Czech Television (Czechia)
2018
Album review — EMA 29 — skjazz.sk (Slovakia)
Concert review Jazz Festival Steyr — skjazz.sk (Austria)
2017
Album review — EMA 29 — Kind of Blue by Hans-Bernd Kittlaus (Germany)
Album review EMA 29 Francemusique.fr (France)
Interview Kristina Barta: “I See Black and White Music” — Harmonie Magazine (Czechia)