Kamil Piotrowicz (07.08.1992) – pianist, composer, founder of ‘Idealistic Festival’ and independent label ‘Howard Records’. He is a leader and member of Kamil Piotrowicz Sextet, LAWAAI, Wojtczak / Piotrowicz, hałvva, Il Mare. Graduated with honours from the composition class of Professor Leszek Kułakowski at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk and from the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen. He is currently studying Soloist Program at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Aarhus. Nominated for the Fryderyk 2019 and Fryderyk 2017 awards for his own albums Product Placement and Popular Music together with Kamil Piotrowicz Sextet. He received a number of cultural awards, including the West Pomeranian Cultural Award 'Pro Arte' and 'Young Creator of Culture' of the City of Gdansk. Kamil performed all over Europe or in Africa and his approach to the piano is characterised by meticulous technique, virtuosity and immersive sensibility.
It was highly probable that Marek Pospieszalski, son of Mateusz Pospieszalski, one of the most popular jazz fusion saxophonists, would follow in his father's footsteps. But Marek chose his own path, gravitating towards more acoustic sounds and regularly exploring the boundaries of post-bop. Over the past five years, he has established himself as one of the most interesting and innovative musicians in Poland, as a saxophonist, composer and band leader.
His exquisite way of playing can be heard on the new album of Wojtek Mazolewski; Pospieszalski also appears in the experimental electroacoustic duo Maldives with drummer Qba Janicki. During his performance at the festival, Marek Pospieszalski will be celebrating the release of a new album recorded with the same quartet with whom he realized the project Playing Songs Sung by Frank Sinatra. The new album – Dürer's Mother – contains some references to the artist’s previous recordings. Pospieszalski drew from the works of many artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Benjamin Britten, Franz Schubert, and Helmut Lachenmann, but this time he has composed all the pieces himself. As a result, the most powerful and original album of his career has been created. Pospieszalski’s relationship with the band is stronger than ever, and his associates have also gained experience in the five years since their last album.
Stemeseder, who spends most of his time in New York today, is one of the most talented keyboardists in the world who open-mindedly develops the ideas of the classical avant-garde of the 20th century, using advanced improvisation techniques, although he can play the swing indefinitely if he chooses. Andrzejewski remains “nearby”, developing a rhythmic concept referring to Jim Black’s way of playing, and his performances are becoming more and more refined in classical music, both in projects with Stemeseder and with such stars of new music as Ensemble Resonanz. Mucha is still one of the most sought-after double bass players in Poland. The entire formation sounded great in 2017, and now, on the new album, the musicians have strengthened their relationship with each other and mastered their skills.
Under the efficient leadership of Pospieszalski, the quartet combines several different traditions, mixing classic post-bop language with a thoroughly contemporary, broken rhythmic concept. The saxophonist has woven the ideas of esteemed classical composers into his own works, skillfully using various tropes and schools. This is one of the best albums of 2022 and a clear proof that Pospieszalski is an outstanding musician.