Maseli is the most recognisable active vibraphonist in Poland. He also works as a composer, arranger, producer, and an educator. He graduated from the Faculty of Jazz and Light Music at Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music. In 1990 he moved to the other side of the lectern and started teaching at the same Academy and the same department.
During the first year of his studies, in 1985, he began stage work with the fusion-jazz band Walk Away. At that time, the group was formed by the main founder Krzysztof Zawadzki: drums, Bernard Maseli, Adam Wendt: saxophone, Paweł Mąciwoda Jastrzębski: bass guitar, Zbigniew Jakubek: keyboard instruments, and Marek Błaszczyk: bass guitar. They set the band up after winnig the first prize at the Jazz nad Odrą festival, in 1985, Wrocław. With Walk Away Maseli has recorded 10 longplays by now and performed at many festivals all over the world. Walk Away’s most relevant success was supporting Miles Davis on his tour in 1990.
Between 1985 and 1987, Maseli collaborated with bassist Krzysztof Ścierański: they formed the Music Painters trio with percussionist José Torres. The latter, born in Havana, Cuba, has lived in Poland for many years. Later on Maseli and Ścierański formed a duo named Big 2 duo. Moreover, during that period Maseli collaborated with the free jazz & fusion ensemble Young Power.
In 1999 Maseli founded his first own project, The Globetrotters, with the saxophonist Jerzy Glowczewski and the vocalist Kuba Badach. They have recorded four CDs, given over 500 concerts, and performed, with percussionist Nippy Noya.
In 2006 he played in an international group The Colors, along with Ścierański, Polish guitar player Marek Raduli, and American drummer Paul Wertico.
As a producer Maseli edited Tylko Chopin for Lora Szafran and Melodies for Anna Serafińska, as well as The Globetrotters’ all four albums.
Up until now Maseli has written a number of compositions and arrangements –including radio productions– and made over 60 CDs.
Active projects
– The Colors: Bernard Maseli: vibraphone, Marek Raduli: guitra, Przemysław Kuczyński.
– The Globetrotters: Kuba Badach: vaocal (known & unknown languages,beatbox), Jerzy Główczewski: soprano and alto saxophone, flute, Bernard Maseli: vibraphone, kalimba, mallet kat, keyboard, Nippy Noya: congas, percussion, kalimba, vocal.
– Duo Big 2 with bassist Krzysztof Ścierański.
– Trio with Krzysztof Ścierański and Przemysław Kuczyński.
– Walk Away – Krzysztof Zawadzki: drums, Bernard Maseli, Adam Wendt: saxophone, Paweł Mąciwoda Jastrzębski: bass guitar, Zbigniew Jakubek: keyboard instruments, and Marek Błaszczyk: bass guitar.
– Diary – solo project.
Selected discography
With his bands and as session musician
2012 Noya – Jakubek – Maseli – Live, live at Zakopane, Nippy Noya: percussion, Zbigniew Jakubek: keyboard, Bernard Maseli: mallet kat, Funky Flow Records
2010: The Colors, Krzysztof Ścierański, Bernard Maseli, Marek Raduli. Przemek Kuczyński, Fonografika
2010: Wake Up, Sleeping Camels, NarRator Records (Hungary)
2009: Stop. Don't Talk, The Globetrotters, Soliton
2007: Silence, Night And Dreams, Zbigniew Preisner, Preisner Records
2006: Both Sides, The Globetrotters, Globe Records
2006 Bernard Maseli - LIVE
2005: Zariba, Walk Away, WA Records
2005: Session Natural Irish & Jazz, Carrantuohill, Celt / Rockers Publishing
2004: Independent, Krzysztof Ścierański, IDG Poland / PC World Komputer
2003: Fairy Tales of the Trees, The Globetrotters, Soliton
2002: Upojenie, Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny, Warner Music
2000: Double Walk, Walk Away, WA Records
2000: The Globetrotters, The Globetrotters, Futurex
1999: Melodies, Anna Serafińska, Sony Music Polska
1997: Walking Around, Walk Away, WA Records
1996: Other Story, Bernard Maseli, Krzysztof Ścierański, José Torres, GOWI
1995: Saturation, koncert, Walk Away, WA Records
1995: Music Painters, Bernard Maseli, Krzysztof Ścierański, José Torres, GOWI
1995: Electric Live, Back In – Maseli and Zbigniew Jakubek duo, Polonia Records
1994: F/X, Walk Away, WA Records
1992: Help Yourself, Zig-Zac
1990: Walk Away: Live, Walk Away, Polskie Nagrania
1989: Walk Away, Walk Away, Polskie Nagrania
2000: Magic Lady, Walk Away, Polskie Nagrania
Soundtrack
2004: The Beautiful Country : original soundtrack, Zbigniew Preisner, Mellowdrama Records
As a producer and arranger:
2009: Stop. Don't Talk, The Globetrotters, Soliton
2006: Both Sides, The Globetrotters, Globe Records
2003: Fairy Tales of the Trees, The Globetrotters, Soliton
2000: The Globetrotters The Globetrotters
1999: Melodies Anna Serafińska, Sony Music Polska
1994: Tylko Chopin, Lora Szafran
Awards and distinctions:
1985: Jazz nad Odrą festival, Wrocław, Poland, first soloist prize and first place in its category for Walk Away.
For the last 20 years he wins the annual Jazz Forum poll in the category of vibraphone (Jazz Forum is the first Polish jazz magazine, has been issued since 1965)
Collaboration:
While performing with Walk Away, Maseli co-opreated on a regular basis with eminent Polish jazz vocalists: Urszula Dudziak, Ewa Bem, and Lora Szafran, and played with the notorious violinist Michał Urbaniak. As for his co-operation with US-based musicians, Maseli and Walk Away worked with: Victor Bailey, Bob Berg, Randy Brecker, Dean Brown, Joey Calderazzo, Mino Cinelu, Bill Evans, David Fiuczynski, Frank Gambale, David Gilmore, Eric Marienthal, and Mike Stern.
In addition, Maseli himself has played with Zbigniew Preisner; the Indonesian, Netherland-based percussionist, Nippy Noya; English drummer and composer William Scott “Bill” Bruford; American saxophonist Bob Malach; Paco Sery from Ivory Coast (known mostly for his collaboration with Joe Zawinul); American vibraphone player, Dave Samuels; Victor Mendoza; American drummer and composer Marvin “Smitty” Smith; French bassist Hadrien Feraud, as well as with three Polish musicians: pop and jazz singer Anna Maria Jopek, rockman Grzegorz Skawiński, and pop singer Mieczysław Szcześniak.
WWW:
www.bernardmaseli.com
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Globetrotters/158845989330?id=158845989330&sk=info
Contact
Via The Globetrotters: vibes@post.pl
Created by:
Anna Początek (Jazzarium.pl): text; Terry Deal: revision; Jazzarium.pl, Warszawa 2014.