Key facts
- Bill Clinton played the saxophone in a video tribute for Václav Havel's 90th birthday.
- Clinton recalled a 1994 trip to Prague with Havel, where Clinton played the saxophone.
- Václav Havel was the Czech Republic's first president and a former political dissident.
- Clinton expressed gratitude for supporting the Czech Republic's democracy and NATO expansion.
Former President Bill Clinton honored the late Czech leader Václav Havel by playing the saxophone in a video tribute for what would have been Havel's 90th birthday. The video was released on social media on Monday, October 6, 2026.
Clinton recalled a memorable night over 32 years ago when Havel took him to a jazz club in Prague. During his 1994 visit to Prague, Havel surprised Clinton, then the commander-in-chief, with a trip to a jazz club and presented him with a saxophone engraved with his signature and a heart. Clinton had previously showcased his saxophone skills on "The Arsenio Hall Show" during his 1992 presidential campaign.
In the impromptu performance in Prague, Havel played the tambourine while Clinton played jazz standards like "My Funny Valentine" and "Summertime." Clinton, referred to as the 42nd president, spoke fondly of Havel, who died in 2011, calling him "one of the most inspiring leaders that I ever worked with." Clinton played a few notes of "Happy Birthday" in his tribute.