Silberman New Trio i Adam Oleś Hurdu Hurdu na festiwalu "jazz & literatura" !!!

Silberman New Trio feat. Jan Peszek - Chorzów, MDK Batory - 09.10.2017, godz. 19.00

Adam Oleś Hurdu Hurdu - Chorzów, SDK - 11.10.2017, godz. 19.00

Silberman to nazwa, która przylgnęła do kompozytora i perkusisty Łukasza Stworzewicza i jego kolejnych projektów. Silberman New Trio feat. Jan Peszek to przedsięwzięcie szczególne, wymykające się prostym klasyfikacjom. Jazzowe trio fortepianowe dokonuje doskonale współbrzmiącej fuzji międzygatunkowej, czerpiąc z elementów klasycznych, eksperymentalnych i rockowych. Muzyce towarzyszy awangardowa poezja Krystyny Miłobędzkiej, którą na żywo interpretuje prawdziwy mistrz słowa – Jan Peszek. Poetka, której naczelnym pragnieniem twórczości jest chęć zawarcia największego w najmniejszym, jest w tym projekcie, cytując słowa jej wiersza, "współżywa, współczynna, współwinna". Odnosi się wrażenie, że muzyka i poezja są wręcz organicznie zespolone, przenikają się, zamieniają rolami.

Adam Oleś, wiolonczelista kojarzony z jazzem, sięgnął do korzeni śląskiego folku, wykorzystując niektóre motywy dla stworzenia intrygującego, nieoczywistego projektu inspirowanego śląskością o nazwie "Hurdu_hurdu, czyli godka śląska w jazzie". Artysta wykreował kolaż gwary śląskiej, prostych melodii ziemi pszczyńskiej oraz współczesnej aranżacji, która próbuje poszukiwać frapujących współbrzmień "tego stamtąd" z "tym tutaj". Wszystko po to, aby całość nie tylko zadziwiała, ale i na nowo odkrywała to, co wydaje nam się dobrze znane. Album wydany w 2012 roku nakładem Wydawnictwa Falami, zdobył III nagrodę w konkursie na Folkowy Fonogram Roku w ramach konkursu Nowa Tradycja 2013.

III Festival "jazz & literatura" 2017 !!!

Trzecia edycja niezwykłego festiwalu "jazz & literatura" w Chorzowie odbędzie się w dniach 6-15 października 2017. Osią trzeciej edycji jest sześć koncertów prezentujących jazz w całym jego bogactwie, a towarzyszyć im będą wydarzenia artystyczno-edukacyjne.

Mocniej niż poprzednio akcentujemy składnik literacki festiwalu. Jazz z literaturą połączy: Monika Lidke Quartet z materiałem z najnowszej płyty do poezji Andrzeja Ballo, Silberman New Trio feat. Jan Peszek, gdzie muzyce towarzyszy interpretowana na żywo awangardowa poezja Krystyny Miłobędzkiej oraz projekt Adama Olesia o nazwie "Hurdu_hurdu, czyli godka śląska w jazzie". Ponadto odbędą się warsztaty dla młodzieży z Janem Peszkiem w oparciu o utwór „TIS MW2” Bogusława Schaeffera. Wszystkich, widzących i niewidomych, organizatorzy zapraszają na słuchowisko z cyklu "Czytanie w Ciemności" na podstawie powieści Herty Müller "Sercątko".

Oczywiście nie zabraknie również propozycji koncertowych nietkniętych słowem. Swój najnowszy album "Hourglass" zaprezentuje Szymon Łukowski Quintet Feat. Hannes Riepler, trzy wybitne osobowości polskiego jazzu - Oleś Brothers & Antoni Gralak - wystąpią z projektem Primitivo, a zakończy festiwal koncert francusko-duńskiej formacji Gauthier Toux Trio ucieleśniającej muzyczną i kulturową różnorodność współczesnego jazzu. Dodatkowo przez cały festiwal będzie można podziwiać wystawę zdjęć jednego z najlepszych fotografików jazzowych, Jarka Rerycha. Wystawę poprzedzi uroczysty wernisaż.

Idea festiwalu pozostaje niezmienna: chcemy promować Chorzów jako miejsce ciekawych i ambitnych działań, integrować i pobudzać do aktywności lokalną społeczność, i zachęcać mieszkańców do otwartości na nowe doświadczenia artystyczne.

Festiwal konsekwentnie zatacza coraz szersze koła, włączając do współudziału inne ośrodki kultury z regionu popierające naszą inicjatywę. Miejsca wydarzeń III festiwalu "jazz & literatura 2017" to Miejski Dom Kultury Batory w Chorzowie – główna siedziba festiwalu, Chorzowskie Centrum Kultury, Gminny Ośrodek Kultury w Suszcu i Starochorzowski Dom Kultury. Festiwal "jazz & literatura" jest wspólną inicjatywą Miejskiego Domu Kultury Batory reprezentowanego przez Dyrektora Sylwestra Paprockiego oraz Agencji New Talents’ Resources Marzena Anioł i powstał w porozumieniu z Miastem Chorzów. Współorganizatorami tegorocznej edycji są: Chorzowskie Centrum Kultury, Gminny Ośrodek Kultury w Suszcu oraz Starochorzowski Dom Kultury.

Grzegorz Karnas – Karnas (2011)

Grzegorz Karnas - vocals
Michal Tokaj - piano
Adam Oles - cello
Michal Jaros - bass
Sebastian Frankiewicz - drums

HEVHETIA 0050




By Adam Baruch

This is the fourth album by Polish Jazz vocalist / composer / arranger Grzegorz Karnas, one of the most unique and talented representatives of the young generation of the local Jazz scene. Separated by five years from its predecessor "Ballady Na Koniec Swiata", this album is significantly different from his earlier work and presents several novelties as far as his recording career is concerned, for example the inclusion of songs not composed by him, usage of lyrics in several different languages, a new instrumental concept, etc. The singer is accompanied by a splendid quartet, which features pianist Michal Tokaj, cellist Adam Oles, bassist Michal Jaros and drummer Sebastian Frankiewicz. Except for the bassist the other three musicians are long time collaborators on his earlier recordings. The presence of a bassist allows Oles to play his cello more in the way it was originally intended, as opposed to the earlier recordings, where it was mostly playing the bass parts.

The album comprises of no less than nineteen tracks, some quite short (under a minute) and other fully developed and lasting around seven minutes. One song (Laurie Anderson's "Langue D'Amour") appears four times in different incarnations and two other songs are reprised. Karnas composed or co-composed six of the pieces, four other pieces are credited to the band accompanying him, one is an instrumental composed by Tokaj and three are songs from the canonic Rock repertoire like Sting's "Roxanne", Joni Mitchell's "Black Crow" and the a.m. song by Laurie Anderson.

It is immediately obvious that this is Karnas' most ambitious album to date. The complexity and versatility of the material is overwhelming and music moving from one theme to another creates a charming flow, which makes the listener whish for it never to stop. Instrumentally this album, with Tokaj taking over the role of the main soloist, is finally perfect and Tokaj's beautiful tango is the best original piece of music on the album. Oles finally shows what he's made of and plays some amazing sounds. The vocal performances are also excellent, obviously more mature and relaxed than ever before. This time Karnas is pretty minimalistic, not trying to overemphasize his part and treating the entire project as a whole rather than another solo album. The group effort is definitely what makes this album tick so wonderfully and takes it a few notches up the scale.

Overall this is a truly amazing vocal Jazz album, which plainly stands out as an artistic achievement, leaving most other albums of its kind way behind. Suffice to listen to the vocalist's interpretations of the three well known songs, in order to appreciate his originality. Add to this the strength of his original material and Karnas emerges as an artist worth following and already leaving his mark on the contemporary scene, with very few contenders. An absolute must!

Grzegorz Karnas – Ballady Na Koniec Swiata (2006)

Grzegorz Karnas - vocals, composer, lyrics
Adam Oles - cello, co-composer
Radoslaw Nowicki - saxophone
Tomasz Kalwak - electronics
Bogusz Wekka - percussion
guests:
Michal Tokaj - piano
Damian Kurasz - guitar

NINTH FLOOR 1002


By Adam Baruch

This is the third album by Polish Jazz vocalist / composer / arranger Grzegorz Karnas, one of the most unique and talented representatives of the young generation of the local Jazz scene. Born in the southern Polish province of Upper Silesia, Karnas graduated form the Jazz Institute at the Katowice Academy of Music, where a large percentage of the young Polish Jazz musicians get their initial graduate education. His debut album "Reinkarnasja", released in 2000, created quite a stir on the local scene and immediately established him as one of the most significant newcomers.

Stylistically this album is a direct continuation of its predecessor "Sny", except for the fact that all the music was co-composed by Karnas and cellist Adam Oles (who also plays on the album) with lyrics by Karnas. The thirteen pieces are all relatively low-key, hence the reference to ballads in the title, although they have little in common with what is considered a ballad in classic Jazz other than the slow tempo. The accompaniment is also more subtle than on the previous album, with more ambient background sounds and less typical Jazz solos. Oles, who plays his cello mostly as if it was an acoustic bass, sets much of the overall sound and atmosphere. Other participants include saxophonist Radoslaw Nowicki, keyboardist and electronic sounds creator Tomasz Kalwak, and congas player Bogusz Wekka. In addition two guest artists also participate: pianist Michal Tokaj and guitarist Damian Kurasz.

Karnas apparently found in Oles an ideal partner in his search for a decisive stylistic crystallization, which is quite apparent here. His vocal explorations are less chaotic and outrageous, with spontaneity replaced by self-control and moderation, which of course does not make his music any less exciting. But this album is somewhat less accessible and immediately likeable that his earlier work, perhaps due to the depressing lyrical subject matter (end of the world), which is apparent not only in the lyrics but also in the somewhat gloomy melody lines. All in all this is definitely another excellent piece of musical artistry.

Karnas is a unique voice and everything he recorded is worth the listeners' attention, especially since vocal Jazz is such a neglected area dominated by mediocrity if not worse. Therefore this album stands out as a beacon of hope that not all is lost and the end of the world will have a wait for a while. Exciting stuff!

Grzegorz Karnas – Sny (2004)

Grzegorz Karnas - vocals, composer, arranger
Michal Tokaj - piano
Damian Kurasz - guitar
Robert Kubiszyn - bass
Sebastian Frankiewicz - drums
guests:
Tomasz Szukalski - saxophone
Jerzy Malek - trumpet
Adam Oles - cello

DEBIES 002

By Adam Baruch

This is the second album by Polish Jazz vocalist / composer / arranger Grzegorz Karnas, one of the most unique and talented representatives of the young generation of the local Jazz scene. Born in the southern Polish province of Upper Silesia, Karnas graduated form the Jazz Institute at the Katowice Academy of Music, where a large percentage of the young Polish Jazz musicians get their initial graduate education. His debut album "Reinkarnasja", released in 2000, created quite a stir on the local scene and immediately established him as one of the most significant newcomers.

He is accompanied on this album by a superb team of excellent players: pianist Michal Tokaj (who plays the Fender electric piano here rather than his usual acoustic piano), guitarist Damian Kurasz, bassist Robert Kubiszyn and drummer Sebastian Frankiewicz. In addition several guest artists also participate: legendary veteran saxophonist Tomasz Szukalski, trumpeter Jerzy Malek, cellist Adam Oles (a future close collaborator, who also hails from Silesia), vocalist Patrycja Gola and congas player Bogusz Wekka.

The album consists of twelve pieces, ten of which were written (music & lyrics) by Karnas, one was co-written by Karnas and Oles and one is a standard. Karnas wrote all the arrangements, which are quite unusual and beautifully atmospheric. Of course Karnas' vocal performances are the focal point of the album, but his ability to involve all these wonderful players to become an integral part of the overall result is absolutely astounding. Szukalski plays wonderfully here, but for me Tokaj and his incredible electric piano phrasing are the cherry on the cake.

Karnas is a unique vocalist, a power of Nature. Although many of the tricks of the trade he so skillfully utilizes can be traced back to other great vocalists, like the great Bobby McFerrin and the Polish diva Urszula Dudziak, but he is truly original. First and foremost he completely disregards any conventions, allowing himself a total freedom as far as his vocal expressions are concerned. Regardless if he sings lyrics, vocalese, scat or just utters sounds from his throat, there are no rules involved. His pronunciation of the lyrics is completely off the wall and probably would give his primary school Polish language teacher a heart attack, but the effect is overwhelming. He also twists the melody any way he wants and his disregard of "proper" timing is simply scandalous; and yet all these elements put together create an amalgam, which is just so beautiful and intelligent, that any experienced music connoisseur simply melts away.

Vocal Jazz or more exactly interesting and challenging vocal Jazz is unfortunately a rarity on contemporary Jazz scene and therefore any Artists of the level presented by Karnas is a most welcome addition. People who truly love music will love this music immediately and unconditionally. Not to be missed!

Grzegorz Karnas – Audio Beads (2012)

Grzegorz Karnas - vocals
Adam Oles - cello
Michal Miskiewicz - drums
with
Miklos Lukacs - cimbalom

BMC 199




By Adam Baruch

This is the fifth album by Polish Jazz vocalist Grzegorz Karnas and his first live recording. Recorded in Hungary and released on the excellent Hungarian BMC label, the album captures Karnas accompanied by cellist Adam Oles, drummer Michal Miskiewicz and guest artist Hungarian cimbalom player Miklos Lukacs. Together they perform just five extended pieces, one of which is a Joni Mitchell song and the rest are originals co-credited to Karnas and Oles. The sound quality of this live recording is absolutely superb, which every single note being perfectly audible.

Karnas presents a unique approach to Jazz vocals, which amalgamates lyrics, vocalese, scat, wordless chanting and spontaneous improvisation. He is always full of surprises and completely unconventional. His vocal modus operandi is based on techniques developed earlier by American Jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin and sounds similar to McFerrin's early work, but of course is inventive enough to avoid being considered simply a replica of the original. Karnas is experienced and talented enough to keep his audiences mesmerized and his extended improvisations manage to sustain tension for prolonged periods of time, which of course is extremely difficult. As this live recording proves, he is a fascinating live performer and listening to him live is perhaps the best way to benefit from his many abilities.

The accompanying musicians are all splendid players and provide excellent support for the vocalist all the way through. The cellist uses his instrument mostly as if it was an upright bass, almost never playing arco. He displays fantastic musicality and virtuosic control of the cello, being the primary partner of the vocalist and complementing him superbly. The drummer plays delicately, often using his hands and brushes, with of course is suitable for this intimate music-making experience. The cimbalom player sounds remarkably like a pianist, which although works well in this situation, is a pity, as it loses the wonderful "original" sound of the instrument, which surely might have added another interesting dimension to this already multifaceted music.

Considering the fact that male vocalists are a rarity on the Polish Jazz scene (and in general), Karnas definitely deserves to be praised for filling this difficult gap. Constantly developing and expanding his vocabulary and technique he is definitely a talent to be watched and enjoyed. This album is certainly a splendid addition to his recorded legacy and a source of immense listening pleasure. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Grzegorz Karnas - Karnas (Hevhethia, 2011)

Grzegorz Karnas - vocal, voices

Michał Tokaj - piano
Adam Oleś - cello
Michał Jaros - bass
Sebastian Frankiewicz – drums

Guests:
Edi Sanchez – bass (19)
Piotr Wyleżoł – piano (19)
Marek Podkowa – tenor sax (19)
Jean Paul Garces – percussion (19)

• Karnas (Hevhethia, 2011)

After years of hearing close to nothing interesting from Polish male jazz singers I must admit that recently I am discovering some interesting projects from them at last! One of the albums I am waiting most impatiently for in Polish jazz is one planned by Oleś Brothers and vocalist Jorgos Skolias (check this link for more info) for Tzadik Records. But this one, released just couple of days ago by Hevhetia, Slovak record label, though unexpected brings pleasant surprise indeed. All due to vocalist Grzegorz Karnas who managed to record album intriguing, forward-thinking and challenging.

Grzegorz Karnas, born in 1972, graduated from well-known Jazz Faculty at Katowice Music Academy and has already recorded three albums starting in 2000 with "Reinkarnasja" for Not Two followed by "Dreams" in 2004 and "Ballads For The End Of The World" in 2006 issued by his own Ninth Floor Production. Honestly I cannot say much about his previous CDs since I simply got no opportunity to listen to them. But basing on this album I find his voice mature, his conceptions daring, his taste refined. He strives to imitate nobody, he is searching for his own sound and he succeeds in this not least through excellent choice of his fellow-workers. Mikołaj Tokaj is one of best pianist in Poland and permanent partner of allegedly the best Polish female jazz singer Aga Zaryan (check her "Looking Walking Being" and "A Book Of Luminous Things"). But Adam Oleś on cello, Michał Jaros on bass (very good on recent debut disc "I Remember" by pianist Michał Wróblewski) or Sebastian Frankiewicz (very active and present on recent albums by Przemek Strączek, Dominik Bukowski, Joanna Gajda or very interesting "Hendrix Piano" by Artur Dutkiewicz) are equally good support. 

Going back to music, this is nothing close to typical jazz singing, though we find here marvelous version of Sting immortal cover "Roxanne" but otherwise it is laborious search for what is "new land" in jazz singing. Although sometimes irritant (as any avantarde effort usually are), I do not want to hide it, sometimes it is simply breathtakingly beautiful like on "Fin d'ete" but always free in spirit and thus earning my respect. Worth-checking!

Check tune "Spytaj milicjanta" (tranls. Ask a policeman) from this album: 

Author of text: Maciej Nowotny

http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html