In 2002 Rafał Sarnecki was spotted at the Guitar City International Jazz Guitar Competition, where he won first prize. He has lived in New York City since 2005. He received a scholarship to study at the prestigious jazz department of the New School University, which he graduated from with honours. In May 2010, he also earned his master’s degree at Queens College CUNY’s jazz department.
As leader of his own musical projects, Sarnecki has performed in China, Israel, and on both the East and the West Coast of the USA, as well as in 11 European countries. He had the opportunity to perform on stage alongside the stars of the Polish and American jazz scenes, such as Gary Thomas, Michael “Patches” Steward, Janusz Muniak, Wojciech Karolak, Aga Zaryan and Adam Pierończyk. At the beginning of 2008, together with his own quartet, he recorded his first album – Songs From A New Place. In 2009, the album was nominated for a Fryderyk award.
His second album The Madman Rambles Again was released in 2011 by the Fresh Sound New Talent record label, which also releases records by jazz stars like Brad Mehldau and Kurt Rosenwinkel. The Madman Rambles Again received many positive reviews in both the Polish and foreign press. The American All About Jazz website listed it among the most interesting jazz albums of 2011, and Hi-Fi i Muzyka magazine granted it the Album of the Year Award. Rafał Sarnecki’s new album Cat’s Dream will be out at the beginning of October 2014.
In September 2013, Rafał Sarnecki toured across China, taking part in music workshops and meetings as well as performing concerts. The 2014 tour will be part of a series of Polish events in China. Sarnecki is also set to tour Poland from 5-14 December to promote the Cat’s Dream album with the American musicians who took part in its recording. During the tour, the band plans to perform in Kraków, Warszawa, Poznań, Trójmiasto, Piaseczno, Gorzów Wielkopolski and Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki.
Source: press materials, ed. km, August 2014, transl. szm, September 2014
The tour programme:
China:
12-13 September - Western Academy of Beijing Jazz Festival – workshops and concerts
14 September at 20.30 – a concert at the Jianghu club
15-18 September – Sichuan Conservatory of Music (Chengdu) – workshops and 2 concerts
19-20 September at 20.30 – a concert at the Yuefu (Beijing)
22 September 21.30 – a concert at the JZ Club (Shanghai)
23 September 22.00 – a concert at the East Shore Jazz Café (Beijing)
24 September – workshops at the Contemporary Music Academy of Beijing
Korea:
28 September – Club Evans (Soeul)
29 September 20.30 – All That Jazz (Soeul)
30 September 21.00 – Cheonnyeondongando
1 October 20.30 – Jazz Alley (Soeul)
2 October 20.30 – Club Palm (Soeul)
3 October - Jarasum International Jazz Festival
3,4,5 October – Bom Gallery
Organiser: Jarasum International Festival
Partner: Culture.pl
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