Now you can plan summertime musical adventures in Poland! The year 2017 abounds in world-class stars appearing at an ever-growing number of fantastic jazz music festivals. The Młyn Jazz Festiwal Wadowice (Wadowice Mill Jazz Festival) certainly stands out, thanks to the project’s momentum, atmosphere, and ambitious top-flight jazz. The festival runs from July 7-9 July, 2017.
On the first day the organizers invite you to an appearance by Herbie Hancock with a band composed of Vinnie Colaiuta, James Genus, Lionel Loueke, and Terrace Martin. The eminent American pianist and composer and jazz guru (as Leszek Możdżer once dubbed him) has appeared many times on Polish musical stages, giving a display of virtuosity, improvisation, and hot sounds.
Through Herbie Hancock’s music we can understand the words of the artist himself, writing in his autobiography: “Jazz consists of life at a given moment. It is about trusting yourself and reacting quickly to what’s happening. If you let it happen, a door opens up before you, a door to a never-ending exploration of music and life.” Jazz lovers in Poland are eagerly awaiting this performance.
Following Herbie Hancock’s show, the good times will continue to roll, thanks to Marta Król and the Paweł Tomaszewski Group, whose concert is scheduled for the same outdoor stage in the evening.
The next day of the festival begins with Polish jazz. Performing first are Stanisław Soyka and the Wojciech Karolak Trio; later, we’ll hear the sensational voice of American jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves. Certainly we can expect not only her hits, but also material from Beautiful Life, winner of the 2015 Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. For more information, see: diannereeves.com.
On the third day of the Wadowice Mill Jazz Festival, Maria Sadowska will perform material from her 2014 album Jazz na ulicach [Jazz in the streets]. As her reviewers and fans have written, with this record Sadowska captivates her listeners with her musicianship, lyrics, energy, and combination of contrasts.
The finale of the festival promises to feature the styles of fusion, funk, and acid jazz. Appearing on the stage will be the Brand New Heavies, an English combo formed in 1985 in London (see more at: www.thebrandnewheavies.net). We expect, therefore, that this final night of the festival will be really hot, as well as being a potential dance event (if the auditorium permits)!
We encourage you to take a look at the Festival website, since the list of artists is not yet set in stone; what’s more, the organizers are masters of the art of surprise.
Author: Paulina Tendera
