Chicago Woj-tet / Liquid Soul at Made in Chicago day 3 (01.12)

Made in Chicago is a special festival for how it tries to convey the music's richness. One of the key words to it is: continouity. Chicago Woj-tet's music shows the continuity innate to jazz music, how it connects to the heritage of past decades, how its fruits come from the trees rooted in history. How the presence encompasses both past and future.

Robert Irving III tributes the band to the memory of Wojtek Juszczak that features both the veteran sax player Ari Brown as the youngster Leon Q Allen on trumpet (the sextet  is rounded up by Harrison Bankhead, Scott Hesse and Ernie Adams). The first piece is introduced by Irving with comparison of 80s in Poland to 60s in the States, the piece tries to express the rebellious times with ominous modal chords as the audience can hear fragments of talks, speeches, announcements (inbetween them, echoes of Lech Walesa and demonstration of "Solidarność"). Irving's story about his first visit to Poland (with Miles Davis band in the early 80s) was probably as valuable as the sounds themselves.

Kizuna - a gathering for Wojciech at Made in Chicago (30.11)

The second performance of the night brought the festival's audience to the Poznan's castle concert hall. A specially comissioned project is part of the festival's tradition and it would usually feature most of the artists performing at the given year. Kizuna - a gathering for Wojciech united on stage 16 musicians, under the lead of Mwata Bowden and Tatsu Aoki. 

First part is a composition of Mwata, under his conduction. A glimpse into the jazz history which begins with a laidback funky groove, big band choruses, charming melody delivered by Dee Alexander and Nicole Mitchell and plenty of gritty soloing all around - delightufll flute, explosive vocalese, Brown's deep and soulful sax tone or more rapid and sharp Francis Wong and some New Orlean funky trumpet. Leon Q Allen deserves in fact his a special mention - he has considerably chops, comes a bit unfledged at times, but his enthusiasm is contagious. He's true showman - when he's not dancing, he's making a badass face (mind you, he's a bit of a teddy-bear posture).

Roscoe Mitchell & Mike Reed at Made In Chicago Festival (30.09)

Made in Chicago in Poznań is quite an unique jazz festival. Dedicated to one city but not to any particular fraction of jazz-purists or avant-guardists or whateve. The idea of gathering, or musical community, of continuity - those elements are innate in the festival's formula. I missed friday concerts unfortunately, the first performance of saturday was an example of inter-generation dialogue and continuity in music. On one side of the stage, a true legend of avant-guarde jazz movement, founding member of AACM, co founder of Art Ensemble of Chicago. On the other side, over three decades younger musician, nonetheless an accomplished artist and well-established person on the musical map of the windy city.

Made In Chicago Festival in Poznań 29.11-01.12

This will be 8th edition of Made in Chicago, a very special one, as we will honour and celebrate the memory of Wojtek Juszczak, festival's director, music fan and musicians' friend who passed away this year. Festival brings to Poznań some great musicians, bands and few special projects all of which seem very inviting.

The schedule has two concerts at every night, 7 and 9pm (chek festival's website for locations and other details). Here's the program:

29.11. 

Nicole Michell Sun Dial

Dee Alexander Funkin with Acoustic Soul - tribute to James Brown and Jimi Hendrix.

30.11.

Roscoe Mitchell & Mike Reed duo

KIZUNA - a gathering for Wojciech. co-ledy by Mwata Bowden and Tatsu Aoki

01.12

Chicago Woj-tet

Liquid Soul

I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend all the shows but I'll report as much as possible. Hope to see you there.

Below's just one of the Nicole Mitchell's band. Indigo Trio, along with many others, has performed at Poznań in the previous years.