Autumn Jazz Festivals galore - Jesien Jazzowa in Bielsko Biała / Jazztopad in Wrocław

Jazz fans are literally being spoiled autumn time. This or being given headache trying to develop the ability to attend events at the same time in different space. This week start two big jazz festivals - JAZZTOPAD in Wroclaw and JAZZ AUTUMN in Bielsko-Biała (most famed for it's director is the one and only Tomasz Stanko).

JAZZTOPAD 14-24.11 Wroclaw

I'll be happy to present the blog in Wrocław for a couple of days and with great anticipation I await the concert by Wayne Shorter Quartet which starts the festival. Jazzotpad boats also specially commisioned projects - William Parker Trio will play with Wroclaw's Symphony Orchestra, Tony Malaby composed a piece for himself and cello quartet.

Specially featured will be also the young polish jazz scene ("Don't Panic! We're from Poland") as well japanese (thanks to festival's partnership with Toky Jazz Festival).

Of particular interest is the idea of concerts played in private living rooms (for obvious reasons, the number of invites is limited - hurry up!) and series of concerts/movie screenigs related to festival's heroes.

Consult the schedule at www.jazztopad.pl/en/

JAZZOWA JESIEN 13-17.11 BIELSKO-BIALA

Jazz Atumn ad Bielsko is run by Tomasz Stanko and supported by the ECM label which guarantees a lot of suprises and makes if possible to bring world-famed artists to the city. 

This years schedule is somehow divided between modern jazz and world music. Anour Brahem, John McLauglin + Zakir Hussain, Eliane Elias will explore the various musical traditions. 

From more "jazz perspective" the concert by Stanko himself seems to be utterly promising - the project initially was presented at Vision Festival in New York, Stanko will play in quartet featuring Sylvie Curvoisier, Mark Feldman and Mark Helias. 

Poland will be alsy represented bt Wasilewski Trio, made famous by its three ECM releases with Stanko, will play a special concerts with guest Joakim Milder on saxophones. 

you can check the schedule at www.jazzowajesien.pl