Jazz on the Oder Festival already in April
The Jazz on the Oder Festival is starting on 26th April. Its line-up will include only foreign stars (saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts), but also many representatives of Polish jazz, who will have a chance to perform during the World Day of Polish Jazz on 30th April. Concerts of the 53rd Jazz on the Oder will be held not only in Impart, but also on Plac Społeczny.
Young musicians at Jazz on the Oder
More than 30 concerts, free jam sessions, big stars and young musicians, who are already starting their career. ‘We have to show young Polish names, because this is a beautiful example of how the tradition of Komeda and Trzaskowski is continued,’ explains Leszek Możdżer, a wonderful jazz pianist and the artistic director of the festival. From among talented Poles, it is worth noticing the Skicki-Skiuk group (concert on 29th April), which won the Competition for the Jazz Personality of the Year in 2016. ‘I am against competitions, because they kill the essence of music, which should bring sheer joy, but this competition helped us discover Skicki-Skiuk, and now they have recorded their first album,’ tells Leszek Możdżer.
The artistic director stresses that Polish jazz is still a rare phenomenon on a world scale. ‘Maybe because improvisation is still possible in this country,’ jokes the musician, announcing the participation of young and talented jazzmen, such as violinist Mateusz Smoczyński with his quintet (28th April), violinist Tomasz Chyła with his quartet (27th April) and the premiere project of saxophonist Tomasz Wendt accompanied by the Atom String Quartet (26th April).
Festival stars
As regards guests from America, you must not miss the performance of saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, who is the son of legendary saxophonist John Coltrane. He will play during the concert dedicated to his father in Impart (26th April).
Concerts of two excellent drummers – Jeff “Tain" Watts (28th April) and Kendrick Scott (29th April) – can be recommended not only to those who love drums, but also fans of exceptional sound. ‘Watts is an icon of drumming – a man who revolutionised the approach to jazz drumming,’ stresses Leszek Możdżer. He also invites us to attend the concert of Tia Fuller, an exceptionally gifted American saxophonist (27th April).
Polish Jazz – Yes
From among Polish jazz icons, it is absolutely necessary to attend concerts of legendary jazz saxophonist Zbigniew Namysłowski (Polish Jazz – Yes! concert on 30th April) and Przemek Dyakowski (30th April). And, finally, we should not forget about Wrocław musicians – pianist Kuba Stankiewicz, who will play Henry Mancini’s hits, and the tandem of Magdalena Zawartko (vocal) and Grzegorz Piasecki (double bass).
Tickets to the festival will be available from 10th March.
Redakcja www.wroclaw.pl