This spring marks the end of the Era Jazzu series and festival after a quarter of a century of activity. This serves as a reminder of other jazz festivals and concerts, such as the Made in Chicago festival, that have disappeared from Poznań's cultural scene in recent years. However, there's also good news for jazz fans who enjoy easily accessible and widely appealing jazz. This summer, the Blue Summer Jazz Festival will make its debut in Poznań. This new musical endeavour is organised by the Blue Note club in collaboration with the Zamek (Castle) Cultural Centre.
Although Blue Note usually winds down its concert activities in July and August, it will stay busy on a few summer evenings with both indoor and outdoor events, featuring "jazz under the summer sky". While the majority of the Blue Summer Jazz Festival concerts will take place in the Castle Courtyard adjacent to the club, several smaller concerts are planned for the Blue Note itself.
The festival is set to kick off in the third week of July. The first performer on the club stage will be French-Caribbean singer and bassist Adi Oasis, who was born in France but is now residing in Brooklyn, New York. She blends a "retro-futuristic sound" with outstanding, sensual vocals and a spectacular, funky bass guitar. She has released two major albums, several EPs and numerous well-received singles.
Blue Summer's subsequent July evenings will be held in the Zamek (Castle) Cultural Centre courtyard.
On 18 July, the renowned and esteemed Jazz Band Młynarski-Masecki will take to the stage, celebrating the traditions of pre-war Polish jazz. Expect a night of swinging tunes and distinctive tangos that will move both your body and emotions. Jan Młynarski, known for his work with the Warsaw Combo Taneczny, 15 Minut Projekt, Polonka/Pole, the Młynarski Plays Młynarski project with Gaba Kulka, and the Jan Emil Młynarski & Brass Federation ensemble, brings a wealth of musical experience. Marcin Masecki, equally accomplished, has collaborated with Andrzej Jagodziński, Alchemik band led by Grzech Piotrowski, the Waglewski-Fisz-Emade family band, and the Pink Freud group. He has performed with Raphael Rogiński and Macio Moretti, led ParisTetris and Professionalism, which were well received by off audiences, and recorded his own arrangements of Bach and Beethoven, as well as numerous original albums.
The Poznań Blue Jazz Orchestra requires no introduction. Led by respected guitarist and composer Piotr Scholz, it is Poland's only professional jazz orchestra operating at a music club, as it is closely associated with Blue Note. On 20 July, Scholz will perform with Paulina Przybysz. The artists have for some time been developing a jazz-hip-hop-soul programme, drawing on the rap of the "90s and the work of J Dilla and D'Angelo.
The festival's highlight of the month is planned for the last festival evening on 21 July with a performance by American jazz pianist, vocalist, and producer Cory Henry. A virtuoso of the Hammond B-3 organ, Cory Henry is a former Grammy winner with Snarky Puppy, and a recipient of multiple Grammy nominations for his solo work. His music blends R&B, gospel, soul, funk and, of course, elements of jazz.
The festival doesn't end there. Looking ahead, in August, we have performances by Emmet Cohen, Blue Jazz Orchestra & Monika Borzym, and Kokoroko. Early September will feature Poluzjanci. Expect a mix of jazz and sophisticated pop music spanning various genres. It is shaping up to be a fantastic summer right in the heart of the city.
Tomasz Janas
translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski
- Blue Summer Jazz Festival
- Adi Oasis, Blue Note, 16.07, 8 pm
- Jazz Band Młynarski-Masecki, Dziedziniec Zamkowy (Castle Courtyard), 18.07, 8 pm
- Blue Jazz Orchestra & Paulina Przybysz, Dziedziniec Zamkowy (Castle Courtyard), 20.07, 7 pm
- Cory Henry, Dziedziniec Zamkowy (Castle Courtyard), 21.07, 7 pm
- tickets: eventim
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