Shock Wave at Literki (Improwizje series. 12.02)

Literki, thanks to the improwizje series, begins to confirm its position as the place for improvised music, one possibly more focused on presenting local musicians than Alchemia club. 

The end of the three-days mini-festival presented us with a concert by a young group Shock Wave, its members are very active on locas scene and I have a strong feeling they will soon mix up some national-wide attention (as far as jazz music can). 

This most recent generation of musicians take full advantage of academic education but doesn't follow the academic rules. They flirt willingly with free and experimental, while displaying a formiddable musicianship. Shock Wave is such a group. They start by destroing with punk energy a jazz standard, the music is filled with rock energy and punk attitude. Slawek Pezda's agressive tone and fluid solos merge greatly with the ankle-breaking drum'n'bass or rock patterns. The electric violin reinforces the rock aspects while the muscular bass keeps the music well anchored.

Somoe other musicians join the quartet for a jam in the second part of the night and things get even more interesting.

Those guys (and girl) has still a long way to go but their passion is inspiring and refreshing. The anarchy of their playing reminds you of The Thing (in fact they play one of the tunes the trio often performs), the highlight of the evening is the last track - simply and rhythmic riff base, somehow reminding me of the monumental marching Albert Ayler tunes. Quite epic.

Thomas Kolarczyk will play at Literki tonight as well, with Michal Dymny and Paulina Owczarek. 

Shock Wave: Dominika Rusinowska- el.vln.
Sławek Pezda- tenor sax
Thomas Kolarczyk- db
Patryk Dobosz- dr

Literki. Krakow. 12.02.13

JJJJAAAAMMMM at Literki (21.02)

Yesterday I finally got to see the Jam Session in Literki. You can find already on the blog a few words of appraisal about Marek Pospieszalski and possibly also Slawek Pezda, however most of the players were completely anonymous for me, which didn't stop them from delivering some absolutely great music. Powerfull improvisations, modern and free, bouncing back and forth influences of free jazz (both american and european tradition), mainstream (a Monk piece played), rock, funk, drum'n'bass, progressive rock (great hammond-like piano riffs). With thre sax players, one viola, piano (two players), bass and drums set (two players) the band created long improvisations featuring some great interplay and smoking solos. All the time bursting with youthfull energy and immagination. I left at the midnight after two hours of great music, while the band was resting before the third set. Make sure to be there next time - it was great stuff. 

you can find a piece from one of the previous meetings if you click the link.

Literki. Krakow. 21.02.2012