Poland @ Jazzahead! 2018

Atom String Quartet

Atom String Quartet is one of the most intriguing string quartets in the world, and also one of best Polish jazz bands. The group combines the capabilities of a string quartet with improvisation in its broad sense. Its music output, besides jazz, shows sources of inspiration coming from Polish folk, music of various regions of the world, and also contemporary and classical music.

Since winning the Grand Prix of the 13th Bielska Zadymka Jazz Festival in 2011, the band constantly performs at the greatest music festivals of the world, such as: Berliner Jazztage, Jazz Balticaa and Leipziger Jazztage. Atom String Quartet is also the first and only Polish group that played at the European jazz fair Jazzahead! in Bremen (2015).

The group recorded three original records: “Fade In” – which received the Polish music award “Fryderyk” for Jazz Debut of the Year (2011), “Places” (2012) – which got “Fryderyk” for Album of the Year – Jazz (2012) and “AtomSPHERE”, which was nominated to “Fryderyk” for Jazz Album of the Year (2015). The quartet has cooperated with such artists as: Branford Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin and Gil Goldstein.

Atom String Quartet is currently looking for:

Agency and bookers (Scandinavia / US / France / Europe)

Label and distribution partners

Press material:

Album (digital/download) – "SEIFERT" available

Album (physical) – "SEIFERT" available

Atom String Quartet Online:

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High Definition Quartet

High Definition Quartet is one of the most interesting and award-winning Polish jazz ensembles of the younger generation. Its originality and musical freshness are well-received in Poland and abroad – the quartet has won an array of the highest laurels at prestigious jazz festivals and competitions, including the most valuable of all – First Prize at Jazz Hoeilaart 2011 in Belgium. The quartet has to its credit a collaboration with jazz trumpet giant Randy Brecker.

The quartet took part in a musical residency at the Manhattan School of Music in New York (2013) after its debut release – Hopasa (EmArcy Records/Universal, 2013). The disc received excellent reviews by the most renowned jazz journalists in Poland and became an Album of the Year 2013 according to the most opinion forming jazz magazines in Poland. Two years later the band recorded a new album titled Bukoliki (For Tune, 2015) that again was called the best disc of the year 2015.

The band’s newest program titled The Forefather’s Eve that is an unprecedented meeting of two musical worlds – acoustic improvised music with contemporary electronic music – is due to be released in 2018 by Universal.

High Definition Quartet in currently looking for:

Agents (Europe / US)

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Album (digital/download) –  "HOPASA" available

Album (physical) – "HOPASA"  available

High Definition Quartet Online:

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Joanna Duda Trio

Joanna Duda Trio  is a project including sounds played on acoustic instruments (piano, double bass, drums) together with a lot of self-made samples and electronic sounds. Joanna is finishing her solo album at the moment, which she produced 100% by herself.  At the same time she was having an idea to make a band which would share her idea of improvising in very consistent way - focus on the moving, fresh sounds like little independent beings in themselves, but melt it into one piece all together, searching for collective consciousness in every single moment. The Trio that Joanna Duda made alive is playing her compositions that mainly are going to appear on the album. The concept of the band is to sound like one organism, creating narration using layers, not solos in a straight meaning.

In 2018 Joanna is going to release her second album, which will be new­ solo piano/electronica works all composed and performed by herself. She started to work with Ableton Live, analogue synths and other objects (as dictaphone for example), which led her into new interesting fields of performing live sounds. On her new album she connects her brilliant classical and jazz piano skills, putting there spirit of contemporary electronic music as a main layer and intelligence dance music implicitly there.

Joanna Duda is currently looking for:

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Joanna Duda Online:

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Kamil Piotrowicz Sextet 

Kamil Piotrowicz Sextet is second band created with initiative of pianist and composer of young polish jazz generation, Kamil Piotrowicz. The band released their first album - „Popular Music” - in the fall of autumn 2016 and caught up national attention. The album was nominated to Polish Phonographic Academy’s Fryderyk award - the polish equivalent of a Grammy - for the best jazz album of the year 2016. It was also highly rated by jazz journalists and was considered as the album of the year by Jazzsoul.pl, JazzPRESS and polish-jazz.blogspot.com. Group played on the most important festivals in Poland, like Jazz Jantar in Gdansk, Jazz nad Odrą in Wrocław, Letnia Akademia Jazzu in Łódź or Jazz Jamboree in Warsaw and many others. Music of the band is based on leader’s compositions.

Kamil Piotrowiecz Sextet is currently looking for:

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Press material:

Album (digital/download) – "Idealism" available

Kamil Piotrowicz Sextet Online:

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Kuba Wiecek Trio

23 year old saxophone player Kuba Wiecek has been announced as the biggest rising star on the Polish jazz scene of 2017. He is a winner of many awards and international competitions. He has studied with such masters as Lee Konitz, Steve Lehman and David Binney. He has given concerts throughout Europe, North America and Asia, in collaboration with such artists as Mike Stern, Ralph Alessi and Gilad Hekselman. He developed his technical mastery and enhanced musical sensibility by studying classical music. As an acute observer, he finds inspiration in the multi-coloured reality of the surrounding world. He draws on the experience of many genres and styles, including classical music, European folklore as well as electronic, alternative and hip-hop projects.

His debut album „Another Raindrop”, featuring Michal Baranski on bass and Lukasz Zyta on drums, has been released in the prestigious Polish Jazz series presenting the best Polish jazz albums of all time. The list of musicians who released records in the Polish Jazz series includes such big names as Komeda, Stańko, Namysłowski, Kurylewicz.

Kuba Wiecek’s album is the first debut in Polish Jazz since 28 years and he is the youngest artist in the history of the series.

Kuba Wiecek Trio is currently looking for:

Booking agents (Asia  / Scandinavia / Germany / France / Rest of the Europe)

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Press material:

Album (digital/download) –  "Another Raindrop" available

Album (physical) – "Another Raindrop"  available

Kuba Wiecek Trio Online:

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Marcin Wasilewski Trio

Marcin Wasilewski Trio is one of the brightest stars of the Polish jazz scene, recognised for their unique talent in blending tradition with contemporary sound. Trio is acclaimed as one of outstanding and unique jazz formations of their generation, enjoying recognition in Poland and abroad. The rapport between band members Wasilewski, Kurkiewicz and Miskiewicz is the key to the group’s singular longevity. Here are three musicians, all still in their thirties, with more than 20 years of shared playing experience.

For 15 years the MWTrio teamed up with Tomasz Stańko in his quartet, recording a number of albums for the ECM Records and performing concerts around the globe. The Trio members have collaborated with artists such as Charles Lloyd, Al Foster and Branford Marsalis. After winning international and Polish competitions beeing teenagers, the band is most often awarded acoustic bands in Poland with an impressive number of Fryderyk Awards (Polish Grammy) almost every new release receives Fryderyk Award for the Jazz Album Of The Year, as well as for Marcin Wasilewski as the Artist Of the Year/ Jazz. The leader, Marcin Wasilewski (piano), was nominated for the "Paul Acket Award" in 2009. 

Their recent album entitled “Spark of Life” (released in Oct 2014) has received majority of honors and awards of Polish music and jazz market. Just 6 weeks after release it has obtained the status of "Golden Album”, "Album Of The Year" and "Acoustic Band Of The Year” by Jazz Forum magazine. Trio also received the most prestigious music award in Poland Fryderyk: for “Best Album Of The Year / Jazz”, and Marcin Wasilewski got the statue of Fryderyk as “Jazz Artist Of The Year”. This was the third Fryderyk awarded to the trio, and the eighth to Marcin Wasilewski. 

Marcin Wasilewski Trio is currently looking for:

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Press material:

Album (digital/download) –  "Spark Of Life" available

Marcin Wasilewski Trio Online:

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Monika Borzym

This incredibly charismatic vocalist with an absolutely unique voice has released already four albums. Monika’s music career began with her performance at the biggest Polish jazz festival – Jazz Jamboree. She appeared on stage at the invitation of violinist and saxophonist Michał Urbaniak, who once cooperated with Miles. The performance resulted in signing a contract with Sony in 2011.

As a part of her solo debut, together with New York producer Matt Pierson she has created an album “Girl Talk” – a tasty collection of women’s hits transformed into noble jazz ballads by the fourtime Grammy winner, arranger Gil Goldstein. Album was a huge success and immediately turned platinum. Two years later Monika presented her very own album, which she composed with pianist Mariusz Obijalski. Within a week from the release the album was certified gold. Her third record „Back to the Garden” (2016) contains Monika’s interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s early works (1967-1975).

Being open to a different musical directions, the artist appears in many other projects, i.e. featuring on last three albums of a recognized Polish rapper Ten Typ Mes, as well as a composer on varies songs for other polish singers.

Monika Borzym is currently looking for:

Bookers

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Press material:

Album (digital/download) –  "Back To The Garden" available

Album (physical) – "Back To The Garden"  available

Monika Borzym Online:

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Piotr Damasiewicz/Power Of The Horns

Power Of The Horns was established in Katowice in 2007 on the initiative of Piotr “Damas” Damasiewicz. Trumpet player, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and the unquestionable leader of the band invited the extended brass section, two double bass players, a pianist and a drummer and created the free-jazz combo bringing to mind the legendary Young Power jazz orchestra.

After five years of rehearsals, Power of the Horns started playing concerts and their debut performance at the first edition of Katowice Jazzart Festival in 2012 enchanted both the audience and the critics gathered in Gugalander club. This famous concert was recorded and released by Polish record label “For Tune” receiving enthusiastic reviews. “Alaman” album was considered one of the best jazz recordings of 2013. Within the next few years, the band has performed at jazz events in Poland and abroad in different configurations, always keeping the core formation of five brass players, two double bassists, a pianist and a drummer. In November this year Power of the Horns is performing with the legendary James Carter at one of the most famous jazz festivals in Poland – Jazz Jamboree.

Piotr Damasiewicz/Power Of The Horns is currenty looking for:

Press material:

Album (digital/download) –  "Alaman" available

Album (physical) – "Alaman" available

Piotr Damasiewicz/Power Of The Horns Online:

Anna Maria Jopek & Leszek Mozdzer

Anna Maria Jopek and Leszek Możdżer both share firstly a classical education, secondly admiration for Polish music, and at last a great friendship on stage. The magical merger of Jopek’s style and Możdżer's music is a combination of two extraordinary worlds of sensitivity and sound. Each of them have their own, original way of drawing inspiration from their musical experience and history. Jopek likes to refer to traditional Polish music, Możdżer relates to classical music. They have managed to established a unique style that is recognized all over the world. Both of them are charismatic individuals with an excellent musical practice and knowledge.

They will come to Jazzahead! with a special programme which is a salute to the masters, styles and genres of Polish music that have shaped their artistic personalities. This occasion is a chance for a wonderful fusion of two personal stories and, most of all, a way to present their cultural heritage through the universal message of music.

Anna Maria Jopek & Leszek Mozdzer in currently looking for:

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Press material:

Album (digital/download) – "Mione" (Anna Maria Jopek) & "Polska" (Leszek Mozdzer) available

Album (physical) – "Mione" (Anna Maria Jopek) & "Polska" (Leszek Mozdzer) available

Anna Maria Jopek & Leszek Mozdzer Online: 

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Website Leszek Mozdzer

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Maciej Obara Quartet

Polish alto saxophonist Maciej Obara makes a very striking ECM debut with Unloved, an album whose expressive range embraces tender lyricism and impassioned, fiery, powerful playing. Each of the four players is a bandleader in his own right; for five years they’ve have been pooling their talents in the half-Polish, half-Norwegian Obara Quartet, and taking their music around the world. Obara has tested his improvisational capacity on both sides of the Atlantic, collaborating in New York in 2010 with Nasheet Waits, Mark Helias and Ralph Alessi. Bassist Ole Morten Vågan is the artistic director of the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and drummer Gard Nilssen is leader of the trio Acoustic Unity saxophonist André Roligheten and bassist Petter Eldh. Tomasz Stanko has described Maciej Obara as “a great musician, whose music is powerful, mature, deep, full of charm and beauty. It’s his own.” 

Maciej Obara Quartet is currently looking for:

Promoters

Agents

Press material:

Album (digital/download) –  "Unloved" available

Album (physical) – "Unloved"  available

Maciej Obara Quartet Online:

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Marcin Masecki

Marcin Masecki, one of Poland’s most compelling pianists, is joined by drummer Jerzy Rogiewicz in a program of classic Ragtimes and stride-piano hits. The music of James P. Johnson, Fats Waller and Eubie Blake is presented along with their Polish counterparts Henryk Wars and Jerzy Petersburski.

Ragtime is one of Masecki’s many facets. One could even say that his tremendous versatility has become his trademark. Next year he is releasing his fifth album of classical music (Chopin Nocturnes), he leads several bands of different sizes and genres (the jazz sextet Profesjonalizm, the brass band Polonezy), he performs as soloist with classical orchestras (Arte dei Suonatori, Capella Cracoviensis, Poznan Philharmonia) and works with a great variety of musicians in improvised concerts (Ziv Ravitz, Barry Guy, Tomasz Stańko). 

In all his projects, Masecki elegantly fuses the different styles he works in, blurring the line between so-called high art and entertainment.

 

Marcin Masecki is currently looking for:

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Marcin Masecki Online:

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Warsaw Village Band

Warsaw Village Band is an icon of the original Eastern European music which combines tradition with modern elements, and unites thrilled audiences of both punk rock and classical music alike. Launched in 1997, the group fast became the most successful Polish ensemble worldwide, with the prestigious BBC Radio 3 Newcomer World Music Award, four Fryderyki Awards (Polish Grammy) and over 500 shows in more than 30 countries. Despite the archaic “white voice” vocal technique and the use of traditional instruments like violin, hammered dulcimer or XVI century Polish fiddle, each of the band's studio albums is full of avant-garde experiments and unique fusions. New album of the group including Mazovian rootz musicians came out on 16.12.2017

Warsaw Village Band is currently looking for:

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Warsaw Village Band online:

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Łoskot

After a 12 year break, in the summer of 2017,Łoskot headlined the alt-crowd ultimate must-see that is Off Festival in Katowice. The reception was enthusiastic, even though the audience were roughly half the age of the guys on stage and couldn't remember the band from when they were first active (1993 - 2005). Łoskot 2017 is an organic sound of a meeting, a continuous dialogue between partners – four personalities bringing their best to the table. The result is a dynamic balance of sound and energy.

Saxophonist and clarinetist, Mikolaj Trzaska was part of the most important Polish jazz group of the 90’s Miłość. Olo Walicki is one of the most sought after and versatile Polish bass players. Piotr Pawlak is known primarily as an intrepid soloist extending the guitar’s palette of sonic possibilities. Macio Moretti is one-man institution of the Polish alternative scene.

Łoskot is currently looking for:

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Łoskot Online:

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Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet

Bassist, composer and a leading figure of the 21st century Polish jazz movement, Wojtek Mazolewski heads the Wojtek Mazolowski Quintet, Pink Freud, and also features in Jazzombie. His ability to present jazz to younger listeners in the most unconventional of manners fuses seamlessly with a clear nod to the traditions established by the golden era of Polish jazz. Mazolewski has played and recorded together  for example with Pete Wareham, Dennis Gonzales and Tim Berne. 

Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet, is the first jazz band which reached the Charts of The Third Program of Polish Radio. The Band received the CD music award Of the Third Polish Radio  “Mateusze 2011”. The band released another album, “Wojtek in Czechoslovakia”. In the list of hits of the Third Polish Radio were as much as three compositions, which together occupied it by 41 weeks. The song “Nionio” became a favorite of radio DJs. The last album of Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet title "Polka” has received Platinum Award for album sales and they will release special world Platinum edition of Polka for Jazzahead Festival.

Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet is currently looking for:

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Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet Online:

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Monika Lidke & Vadomaya Collective

Monika Lidke is a singer-songwriter of Polish origin, currently living in London. She creates exciting and original music that truly connects with the audience. Her songs blend jazz, folk and Latin grooves with Polish and French roots to create a mesmerising live show.

Monika’s second album “If I was to describe you” was an opportunity for the artist to collaborate with two outstanding guests: Basia Trzetrzelewska (vocals) and Janek Gwizdala (bass guitar). She has recently released her third album on the American label Dot Time Records. It is her first ever project exclusively in Polish, her native language. In this love-letter to her mother tongue, Monika takes us on a journey, having created sublime musical arrangements to the poems of contemporary Polish poet – Andrzej Ballo. Performed by Poland’s best jazz musicians and the singer’s UK based band, the depth and the ever-changing moods of the lyrics allowed Monika to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. 

Vadomaya Collective recently re-formed, with a new drummer Waldemar Franczyk and guest singer Monika Lidke. In 2006 virtuoso vibraphone and marimba players Jan Freicher and Dominik Rosłon created a band called Fourth Floor. The group quickly gained acclaim amongst both critics and audiences: in 2007 the band received the prestigious Grand Prix award at the Polish Jazz nad Odrą Festival, and in the same year Jan and Dominik were nominated best soloists at the Summer Jazz Festival in Germany. 

Monika Lidke is currently looking for:

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Monika Lidke Online:

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Marita Albán Juárez Quartet

Marita Albán Juárez Quartet was established in 2011 by Polish-Peruvian vocalist Marita Albán Juárez and her brother, drummer José Manuel. At some point they performed with Dominik Wania, a brilliant pianist who studied with Danilo Perez, and that was it – a revelation! Marita has been present on the jazz scene for many years, performing at home and abroad in clubs, theatre halls and on festivals. José Manuel is a versatile and multifaceted performer with and immense experience. He collaborated in projects ranging from modern and classical music to dancehall sound systems. Dominik is one of the most acclaimed young pianists. His debut album dedicated to Ravel (For Tune, 2013) earned him two Fryderyk 2014 awards (the Polish Grammy) for best jazz album and the best jazz debut. The band was soon joined by Andrzej Święs, jazz bassist who immersed himself with true passion in the Afro-Peruvian tradition of music, which remains its greatest source of inspiration.

Marita recorded her most cherished musical memories, the classical Latin tunes she grew up with – from the 1970s or earlier. They became the main themes for their improvisations. The album Aguas Calientes builds on musical traditions of Afroperu, Cuba, Argentina and Brazil, reinterpreting the many styles that in their diversity make Latin Jazz.

Marita Albán Juárez Quartet is currently looking for:

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Marita Albán Juárez Quartet Online:

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Wojtek Justyna TreeOh!

The Wojtek Justyna TreeOh! fuses the energy of funk-jazz, the colors and rhythms of world music with fresh sonic explorations through combining soaring fuzzy leads with the rootsy sounds of traditional African instruments and throbbing synth bass lines. For their second album “Get That Crispy” (available worldwide on September 22, 2018) the musicians have joined their creative compositional talents to write a set of music that is packed with head nodding grooves, intriguing harmonies and vigorous melodies that are bound to captivate the listener.

Countless performances throughout Europe in clubs and renowned jazz festivals such as Delft Jazz Festival, State-X New Forms, Bevrijdingsfestival (NL), Jazzmeile Thüringen (DE) and Letni Festiwal Jazzowy (PL) have earned the TreeOh! a reputation of an electrifying live act full of dynamics, colorful textures and firefly interplay between the band members.

Wojtek Justyna TreeOh! is currently looking for:

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Wojtek Justyna TreeOh! Online:

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