Wojtek Mazolewski is a bassist and composer from the so-called Tri-City in northern Poland, and is the founder of Pink Freud and his eponymous quintet. According to critics, his musical activities began the new boom in Polish jazz music at the beginning of the 21st century and his unconventional creativity, in terms of the native jazz scene, had a great impact on the consciousness of young listeners. Other critics claim that he was also one of the first to reintroduce jazz back into radio playlists, TV screens and the popular press.
After the success of three Pink Freud tours of Asia and the Monster of Jazz album released by This Time Records, jazz fans from Japan will get the opportunity to hear Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet’s music live. The opening concert will take place on 19th September in Haremame Club in Tokyo. On 20th September, the musicians will perform at the Takasaki Music Festival in Takasaki, and four days later they will give a concert at Blue Books Café in Shizuoka. The other four members of the quintet are Oskar Torok (trumpet), Marek Pospieszalski (saxophone), Joanna Duda (piano), and Qba Janicki (percussion). The Polish Institute in Tokyo and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute are partners in the tour.
During summer 2016, the quintet played lot of successful concerts, including Olsztyn Green Festival. Karol Sakosik and Marta Gruszecka from Co Jest Grane magazine wrote:
Double bass, trumpet, piano, percussion and saxophone. Furthermore great talent, musical eloquence and a unique ability for playing with music. That’s a recipe for jazz and yass at the highest level. Listening to Wojtek Mazolewski and his band’s concerts is just a great pleasure.
Members of the quintet performed during two dates of this year’s edition of the Męskie Granie festival: in Wrocław with Ania Dąbrowska and Misia Furtak, and at the final concert in Żywiec with a special guest: Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble. The website Wybieram Kulturę wrote about concert in Żywiec:
Amazing instrumental show proved, that words are unnecessary to communicate with audience, to describe them internal music. At the end of that performance Śląsk Song and Dance Ensamble appeared on the stage, which fluently completed Quintet’s concert and added even more power to it…
Dates:
19th September 2016, 12:20 (doors open at 11:30)
Haremane Club (Tokyo, Daikanyama)
Tickets: 3,000 JPY / 3,500 JPY on the day / 2,700 JPY with invite*
Reservations: Club Haremane, +03 545-468-880
*Eye on Poland exhibition visitors will receive an invitation that provides a discount
20th September 2016, 19:00 (doors open at 18:30)
City Gallery Core Hall, Takasaki Music Festival
Tickets: 3,000JPY (seats only with reservation)
Reservations: festival organisers, +03 027-322-9195
Organisers: Takasaki Music Festival, Takasaki City
24th September 2016, 20:00 (doors open at 18:30)
Blue Books Café, Shizuoka
Reservations: Blue Books Café, +03 054-260-7644