20.00: Grzegorz Karnas Vocal Quartet

Grzegorz Karnas Vocal Quartet ist eine Band, die aus der Tradition der kollektiven Jazzimprovisation schöpft und zwar auf der Basis eigener, einfacher Musikthemen und Kompositionen, die man als Standards bewerten kann. Der Leader Grzegorz Karnas ist ein Ausnahme-Vokalist, von tiefer Musikalität geprägt, der über einen charismatischen Improvisations-Talent verfügt, Träger zahlreicher Musikpreise, Autor von zwei aus vier selbst produzierten Alben.

Die Musik ist eine Wanderung durch das energetische, rhythmische Spiel des Schlagzeugers Sebastian Frankiewicz und des Kontrabassisten Michał Jaros. Es ist eine Reise durch lyrische Musik des hervorragenden Pianisten Michał Tokaj, die von originellen, wunderschönen slawischen Elementen durchdrungen ist, und durch oft abstrakte, beinahe hypnotisierende und improvisierende Partien des Vokalisten. Zunächst das polnische Gesangswunder und Energiebündel Grzegorz Karnas. Geboren in Oberschlesien, studierte er Jazz am Institut der prestigeträchtigen Musikakademie in Kattowitz und spielte schnell mit allen größen der hiesigen Szene, u.a. Tomasz Szukalski und Kazimierz Jonkisz. Der 35-jährige Vokalist bringt neuen Wind durch eigenständige und hochvirtuose Vokalimprovisationen und poetisch angehauchten Jazz-Gesang begleitet von der jungen und spielfreudigen Band.

Grzegorz Karnas – Vocals

Sebastian Frankiewicz – Drums

Michał Tokaj – Klavier

Michał Jaros – Bass

21.30: Darren Sigesmund Quintet

2010 JUNO nominee and Galaxie Rising Star winner Toronto trombonist Darren Sigesmund has firmly established his Strands project as one of Canada’s leading national and international touring ensembles. Following up on his 2008 debut quintet CD Strands, Darren has released Strands II, nominated for a 2010 JUNO for Best Traditional Jazz Album. Sigesmund received the 2010 Galaxie Rising Star award for Best Composition (Dance for Leila) at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. Acclaimed for its compositional ingenuity, the Strands project consists of Sigesmund’s self-penned compositions, a contemporary blend of jazz, Latin and classical influences. Strands II features an expanded ensemble, with the addition of sensational vocalist Eliana Cuevas and dynamic percussionist Daniel Stone. With vigor and flair, Sigesmund has woven the textures of voice and percussion into fresh new compositions for the Strands II recording which features special guest New York saxophonist Tim Ries of the Rolling Stones. Strands II is funded by the Toronto, Ontario and Canada Councils.

Darren has led his Strands project across the globe regularly since 2003, including concerts throughout Europe, Asia, Australia & Canada. Past performances include concerts in Madrid, London, Brussels, Luxembourg, Nuernberg Germany for German national radio Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Mermaid Arts Centre in Ireland, the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh, Japan Expo 2005, the Canadian Embassy Theatre in Tokyo, premiere clubs across Australia, South Korea’s Jarasum International Jazz Festival, Shanghai’s renowned club JZ, Hong Kong’s historic Loke Yew Hall, and Canadian jazz festivals.

Darren has studied and performed at the internationally renowned Banff Jazz Workshop with acclaimed artists, such as Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Julian Priester, Richie Beirach, Dave Liebman, Steve Coleman, Don Thompson, Pat Labarbara, and Hugh Fraser. On trombone, Darren has studied trombone with Michael Davis (New York), Ian McDougall (University of Victoria), Jerry Johnson (Stratford Festival) and Gord Sweeny (Toronto Symphony). After studying at the University of Toronto for Jazz Performance Program, Darren honed his composition skills under the tutelage of Toronto instructor Frank Falco. Darren currently teaches piano at Humber College and privately. Darren is also an accomplished professional chef, having cooked for several years in some of Toronto’s finest restaurants after his apprenticeship with celebrated chef Michael Stadtlander at Eigensinn Farm.

Darren Sigesmund – trombone

Mark Feldman – violin

Gary Versace – accordion & piano

Jim Vivian – bass

Ethan Ardelli – drums

23.00: Claude Pauly’s Mindmatter Quartet

Claude Pauly’s under-the-radar Mind Meets Matter release is one of those CDs that sneaks up on you, song by song, groove by groove and then it’s over and you find yourself playing it again. In fact, it’s very rare that this jaded music reviewer finds a CD perfectly balanced enough musically to satisfy over and over and over. Yeah, I spun this disc, all day at work, 5 days straight, for like 2.5 weeks. I love this disk! As a fusion junkie, guitarist, and music reviewer — when I hear music like this, I have to rejoice. Great compositions, lotsa grooves, many colorings of tone, solid chops, digging in, blissful, exotic, overdriven, clean, and even a deft use of slide — it all works for a solid 10! Highest recommendations for Tribal Tech meets Holdsworth in a 70s, jam-space, exotic-rock groovefest!

~ John W. Patterson of JazzRock-Radio.com

Seb Cornelissen (dr)

Claude Pauly (g)

Frans Vollink (b)

Coen Molenaar (k)