Rebel Spirits

Like the other artists portrayed in Rebel Spirits II, Piotr Orzechowski aka Pianohooligan showed talent and a fiercely original mind at an early age. By his twenties, he'd won competitions and awards and had a clarity about his intention for music-making. There is one comment he made that particularly stood out to me. He said, “I want to revive the spirit of jazz. Step away from academic music. I am awaiting a confrontation.”  This is crucial, Piotr knows that at the same time as honoring the history of jazz, standing on the shoulders of these jazz originators, it is vital that jazz is a living, breathing music. It is not a museum piece. It requires artists to have something they need to say and to deliver it in a way that is genuine. Genuine to that artist. Real for that artist. And he has applied that to whatever genre he has touched on. It's easy to see through his discography that Piotr has allowed his natural curiosity to lead the way. He has released albums such as Bach Rewrite, in collaboration with Marcin Masecki, and Experiment: Penderecki, a tribute intended to renew the accomplished work of Krzysztof Penderecki. He has collaborated with musicians from Ecuador, Mexico, and Spain and has played with significant artists such as the American composer, Philip Glass, as well as establishing his own High Definition Quartet. It is another beacon of the Polish arts, Adam Mickiewicz whose play, Dziady or the Forefather's Eve, that lit a fuse for Piotr and it's his album entitled, Dziady that he speaks about in this interview. You'll hear why he felt drawn to Part II of this eminent work published in 1823 which follows characters in the Lithuanian countryside preparing to conjure spirits from the dead. Piotr's description is so lucid that you can feel the frisson of fear and expectation.  Piotr outlines how he decided to differentiate between the earthly world and the supernatural in his music, and as well as the whole piece, 'Preparations', we hear an excerpt of the supernatural 'Little Angels' (with electronics by the renowned William Basinski). The interview is a great opportunity to peep into Piotr's creative mindset and how he instinctively uses his own life experiences to deeply connect with the story.  Just a word about Dziady - this poetic drama written in four parts is a symbol of European Romanticism, particularly in Poland, where it was not only a statement about the Romantic belief in individualism, the importance of emotion, and folklore, but due to periods of time when it was banned, it also represents freedom, a freedom to feel, and be able to question. In some ways, it's a thoughtful metaphor for the work of Piotr Orzechowski and the other artists in the Rebel Spirits series. Music from the episode Preparations (Przygotowania) from High Definition Quartet’s album ‘The Forefathers’ Eve - Dziady’ Further reading Piotr Orzechowski  / bio on Culture.pl Further watching Piotr Orzechowski: the piano is my favourite toy / on Culture.pl Piotr Orzechowski and Avishai Cohen in concert  / on YouTube.com Piotr Orzechowski and Kuba Więcek in concert / on YouTube.com Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written and produced by Monika Proba Executive production by Move Me Media Edited by Monika Proba Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Monika Proba & Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

In the tapestry of our lives, there are moments when the hand of Fate gently guides us towards unexpected encounters, and such is the enchanting tale of the Slovenian trio, Širom, and the Polish virtuoso guitarist, Raphael Roginski. It's a narrative they eloquently weave, with the resonating echo of Roginski's recording, 'Raphael Rogiński - Plays John Coltrane And Langston Hughes' African Mystic Music,' subtly influencing the course of their musical union. This collaboration transcends mere artistic partnership, for it pulsates with a shared heartbeat, one that beats in unison within the souls of both Roginski and Širom. There is a profound resonance in their individual spirits and artistic expressions. Anna Kravanja, Samo Kutin, and Iztok Koren each bear an intimate connection to ancient musical traditions, embracing a pure and unpretentious approach to making music. Their dwellings nestle them amidst the embrace of nature's splendor, and in our conversation with them, they emphasize the paramount significance of familial bonds and the simple joys of communal meals. Yet, the harmonious tapestry woven by these four musicians transcends simplicity. Their profound adoration for a vast array of traditional instruments, from banjo and balafon to kalimba, viola, and harps, elevates their musicality to a transcendent realm. The result is an evocative and mystical ambiance, born of deeply personal narratives that seemingly conjure their own myths, yet remain firmly rooted in the present moment. Their collaborative creation is nothing short of a breath of fresh air, perpetually renewing itself in the ever-present 'now.' The exquisite track they perform together bears the title, 'I came alone into this world.' Music from the episode ‘I Came Into This World Alone’ (Moondog) from Raphael Rogiński and Širom’s project “The World of Moondog”    Further reading Raphael Rogiński / bio on culture.pl Širom / bio on band’s website  Beyond borders: Raphael Rogiński takes a spiritual trip around Eastern Europe / on wire.co.uk A World Beyond: An interview with Širom / on thequietus.com   Further watching KOOB Sessions: ŠIROM feat. RAPHAEL ROGIŃSKI in Muzika eklektika / on YouTube.com The World of Moondog: Raphael Rogiński, Natalia Przybysz, Širom / on YouTube.com Rural Underground: Širom / on YouTube.com ‘Electron’: Raphael Rogiński (from the album Talán) / on YouTube.com   Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written, produced and scored  by Magdalena Stępień Executive production by Move Me Media Edited and mixed by Wojciech Oleksiak    Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.  

Within the Rebel Spirits series, a resounding truth emerges: music born from improvisation demands both formidable technical prowess and a receptive, open-hearted approach. Enter 'Voice 'n' Drums,' a collaborative venture between Polish vocalist Ania Rybacka and Danish drummer Stefan Pasborg, representing a bold exploration of one of humanity's most powerful impulses—to connect. Ania Rybacka steadfastly eschews the constraints of musical genres and labels, forging her path through the boundless realm of music with unbridled personal freedom. Her creative odyssey spans a spectrum, encompassing experimental endeavors like her 'Voice and Movement Encounters' and the electronic trio, Blueberry. In stark contrast, Stefan Pasborg assumes the roles of bandleader, composer, and the visionary behind the artist-driven label, ILK Music. Among the many notable albums he recorder 'The Firebirds  stand out -' a daring reinterpretation of Stravinsky's 'Firebird' for a trio, followed by the remarkable 'Ritual Dances,' a homage to the Rite of Spring, which underscores Pasborg's penchant for embracing risks and shouldering artistic responsibility. 'Voice 'n' Drums' stands as a markedly distinct project in Pasborg's portfolio. Drawing upon his profound sensitivity and adept mastery of empathetic collaboration, Pasborg weaves an intricate musical tapestry in response to Ania's intuitive offerings, engendering an exquisite and intimate dialogue. In this illuminating interview, the artists candidly unveil the vulnerability they experienced while crafting music entirely through improvisation, a venture undertaken as a duo. Their insights offer a captivating glimpse into their creative process and infuse a vibrant vitality into the mesmerizing composition, 'Aurora,' which, in turn, invigorates our experience as listeners. Music by Ania Rybacka and Stefan Pasborg. Copyright - Hevhetia Track: Aurora   Further Reading Ania Rybacka's web site Stefan Pasborg's website Stefan Pasborg / ILK    Further Watching Aurora Ania Rybacka's TEDx Ania Rybacka and Stefan Pasborg / live Dr. Big Band and Stefan Pasborg / live   Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Derba Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.  Written, produced and scored by Monika Proba Executive production by Move Me Media Edited and mixed by Wojciech Oleksiak   Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.    

The Bastarda’s and Holland Baroque’s joint project marks the inception of one of two captivating collaborations born from a shared reverence for music of eras long past. To pinpoint an exact period would be unwise, but this exceptional fusion of the Bastarda Trio and the Dutch ensemble, Holland Baroque, converges on the concepts, gestures, and dynamics of early music, spanning from the medieval ages to the Baroque era. Yet, as articulated by violinist Judith Steenbrink of Holland Baroque, the music they craft resonates with the contemporary spirit, a fact acutely evident when immersing oneself in the following track, 'Gaude.' What also crystallizes is their unwavering belief in the auditory landscape they conjure—the aesthetics, the heartfelt dedication with which they perform, and the profound impact it can have on both listeners and themselves as musicians. Their creative journey embarked with a nod to the 13th-century mystic Hadewijch from Brabant, Netherlands, who penned a form of love poetry encompassing love in its broadest and most imaginative sense. In fact, the project's title, 'Minne,' is rooted in 'beminnen,' Dutch for 'to love.' They eloquently discuss the catalysts fueling their creativity, yet it is the music they compose, improvise, and arrange that emerges as the most eloquent storyteller. In 'Gaude,' their creation speaks resoundingly, immediately and with remarkable lucidity, conveying the fervor each musician harbors for a genre that masterfully and elegantly interlaces the echoes of yesteryears with the vibrant tapestry of the present. Music from the episode: ‘Gaude’ from Bastarda Trio and Holland Baroque’s from the album ‘Minne’. Copyright - Pentatone Music B.V.   Further reading Paweł Szamburski / bio on culture.pl Bastarda Trio / bio on ensemble's website  Holland Baroque / bio on ensemble’s website  About ‘Minne’ project / on Holland Baroque’s website ‘Minne’ reviewed on The Free Jazz Collective    Further watching ‘Minne’: Bastarda Trio and Holland Baroque in Poznań / on YouTube.com Mystical Jewish songs. ’Nigunim’: Bastarda Trio / on YouTube.com ‘Di Kunst der Fuge’ (J.S. Bach): Holland Baroque / on YouTube.com   Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written, produced and scored  by Magdalena Stępień Executive production by Move Me Media Edited and mixed by Wojciech Oleksiak    Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.  

Tomasz Dąbrowski received a prestigious commission to craft a composition for the grand finale of the Lodz Summer Jazz Festival, a tribute concert honoring the legendary trumpeter, Tomasz Stanko. Stanko, an internationally renowned figure in the jazz world, served as an extraordinary muse for Dąbrowski, who eloquently captures the enchanting elements that elevated Stanko to his revered status as a musical hero within the jazz realm. Dąbrowski meticulously curated a remarkable ensemble for this project, aptly named "Tomasz Dąbrowski and the Individual Beings." Notably, the ensemble features Norwegian drummer Knut Finsrud, and beneath the surface, one can discern the hidden gem of their genuine friendship, forged while both residing in the tranquil Swedish town of Malmo. Knut's deep appreciation for Tomasz's composing prowess harmonizes seamlessly with Tomasz's admiration for Knut's childlike and insatiable curiosity when it comes to music—an organic connection that envisions them effortlessly riffing alongside one another. In their conversations, a subtle spirituality permeates their words, resonating with the very essence of the music we hear in "JR." This poignant composition emerged after the birth of Dąbrowski's son in 2020, serving as a heartfelt dedication to this newfound joy in his life. This profoundly human motivation adds a unique depth to the album, complemented by the use of one of Stanko's own trumpets, generously loaned to Dąbrowski by Stanko's daughter—an emblematic connection to the ever-evolving legacy of Polish jazz musicians. Music by: Tomasz Dabrowski and the Individual Beings. Copyright - April Records. Track: 'JR'   Further Reading Tomasz Dąbrowski / bio on culture.pl  Tomasz Dąbrowski & The Individual Beings album review / on Downbeat.com  Tomasz Dąbrowski seeks new contexts / on Downbeat.com Tomasz Dąbrowski's website   Further Watching JR Tomasz Dąbrowski & the Individual Beings full album 30th Birthday/30 concerts/30 cities Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Derba Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.  Written and produced and scored by Monika Proba Executive production by Move Me Media Edited and mixed by Wojciech Oleksiak   Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.  

At the heart of a 'Rebel Spirit' is an open mind, and it’s this openness that puts an artist like Wacław Zimpel in a vulnerable place that encourages the development of a musical intelligence that is not only intellectual but also spiritual. Wacław Zimpel has really dived into 'music of the world' as he puts it, to deepen his experience of sound and rhythm and to use his compositions to express something that is primal; at the core of what it is to be human. Wacław may have started his music practice playing classical violin as a child but he moved on to clarinet and saxophone, taught himself to improvise, and at some point in his studies knew that he wanted to move toward free jazz. He is a constantly evolving soul and his visits to India to embrace Konnakol and Carnatic music, that evolved from ancient Hindu texts and traditions, impacted not only his understanding of rhythm but led him toward recognising how trance can affect the listener physically and emotionally. Trance is key to his work.  He has built an extensive collection of instruments that have informed his music; the Harmonium from North India, a Tibetan horn, and the fujara flute from Slovakia to name a few. In this interview, you will hear about his relationship with the beloved Arp 2500, a modular synthesizer that began its life in the 1970s, that he was able to meet if I can put it like that, during a residency at the William Twee Studios in Den Bosch in the Netherlands.  Projects such as his Undivided trio and the bands Emergency, The Light, and Hera have given Wacław the space to explore the emotional power of jazz and improvisation, whilst his work with the Chicago-based saxophonist Ken Vandermark's band Resonance and an invitation to perform at the city's innovative Umbrella Music Festival have played a part in extending his audience reach, an important factor for European musicians.  More recently he has composed music for the Polish film Silent Night, and as he states in the interview his view of himself now is as a music producer - who moves forward at every opportunity. Zimpel is a thrilling presence within the most potent music of today.  Music from the episode Massive Oscillations from Wacław Zimpel’s album ‘Massive Oscillations’ Further reading https://culture.pl/en/artist/waclaw-zimpel / bio on Culture.pl interview with Wacław Zimpel / on nytimes.com Further watching Wacław Zimpel / Boiler Room   / on YouTube.com Wacław Zimpel - Lines  / on YouTube New Polish Jazz: Ones To Watch - Wacław Zimpel / on YouTube Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written and produced by Monika Proba Executive production by Move Me Media Edited by Monika Proba Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

Aga Derlak remembers her fascination with music as a young child. And once she began learning piano, she would lose hours in flowing through improvised journeys at the keyboard. This passion led her to gaining a place on the year-long Berklee Global Jazz Institute program. And in this interview, she discusses the impact that has had on many levels of her life. The founder of the project, pianist Danilo Perez, who is part of the incredible Wayne Shorter quartet was a particular influence and led Aga to work at Danilo's foundation in his homeland of Panama. You get the sense that her own beliefs about the healing power of music, and the role of musicians and music education in our society really blossomed during this time, through conversations with her tutors and peers at Berklee, and also her pupils, some of whom were part of a social program in Panama City.  Aga has led her own trio and quintet and like the other rebel spirits has been invited to play at numerous jazz festivals. As she explains in her interview, travel takes on a real meaning in her life, and has directed her development as an artist. The piece she talks about, Tempo, is from her forthcoming album Parallel and includes her own vocals and those of her sister Basia Derlak. With lyrics from a poem that Aga wrote, we can hear about her attention to detail, theme and flavor, and her thoughts about the possibilities of time. Tempo. A project that is a good indicator of Aga’s personality is Your Solo, exploring Polish jazz. This was her proactive reaction to the restriction of lockdown during the pandemic. She wanted to highlight the work of Polish jazz musicians such as herself, who could no longer tour or perform. Aga set about playing their compositions and interviewing these musicians. Putting everything online. The positive focus is typical of how she's able to acknowledge the darkness that descends on life but uses her determination to be constructive. Interestingly, she refers to the different sides of her character and how that comes through her music in this interview.

In Marek Pędziwiatr there is a connection between the past and the present. The history of jazz and the African American musicians, who created it, and Polish innovators from Chopin through Krzysztof Komeda and Niemen. Marek is a hub, a central force pulling his golden threads of jazz, hip-hop, classical music, avant-garde, and Slavic folk. But his interest in weaving these genres together is driven by the human experience.  Marek is an award-winning musician and composer now based in Wrocław. His background in the 90s scene of sampling, rapping, and beat music has blossomed into a sophisticated and authentic jazz that crosses boundaries. He is co-founder of the trio Night Marks, the avant-garde improvised music collective Błoto, and EABS (Electro-Acoustic Beat Sessions). He has played with an incredible array of international musicians and his production work includes producing with Michał Urbaniak, a major figure in jazz fusion, on albums such as “Beats and Pieces” by Urbanator Days.  Like Michał, emotion is a vital aspect in every piece that Marek composes. The identification of this almost mystical quality of melancholy in Slavic culture, explored by generations of Polish artists, also fascinates Marek. And in the interview, he speaks about the importance of feeling in the music he is drawn to. And how he developed the opening of the composition he discusses from his album Slavic Spirits from 2019.  Stories of his own ancestry, poetic symbols, philosophies, and the expression of the complex emotion of being human run parallel to other incentives in his music. There is a deep learning he has gained through the tributes EABS has made such as the “Memorial to Miles” at the Jazz Festival in Kielce in 2015 and the unique Sun Ra with EABS’ album “Discipline of Sun Ra” in 2020. There is a clear celebration of these influences and their ability to simply communicate the human spirit in Marek’s music and in his eloquent way of speaking about it.  Music from the episode Przywitanie Słońca from the EABS album ‘Slavic Spirits’’ Further reading EABS / bio on Culture.pl Marek Pędziwiatr debuts as Latarnik in a piano solo story of remembrance and passing / on Twistedsouldmusic.org Further watching EABS meets JAUBI /  on YouTube.com Jazz.pl: EABS  / on Culture.pl New Polish Jazz: Ones To Watch - Marek Pędziwiatr / on Facebook.com Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written and produced by Magdalena Stępień & Wojciech Oleksiak Executive production by Move Me Media Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

To describe Joanna Duda as simply a pianist doesn't capture the extraordinary dimensions of the music she produces. Whether touching a broken keyboard, using the sound of a rewinding tape machine, or mixing in field recordings, her innate playfulness allows any instrument to blossom - you get a sense that one of her greatest strengths is to listen attentively to whatever she uses. Joanna is also an incredible editor, cutting and mixing with bold and surprising artfulness. It was a friend of the family who played electric bass in the band Kombi that first caught her attention and before she could even string a sentence together she would sit with a piece of wood pretending it was a bass. Like many of the Rebel Spirits, she is classically trained and has been influenced by both Baroque and minimalism. Part of her heritage is Chopin, of course, but it's also her parents' vinyl collection which included plenty of funk and jazz rock and there is often a groove that emerges in her work.  Be it leading the duo J=J, which is when she first came to my attention, or her current trio with Michał Bryndal and Max Mucha, on drums and bass, or playing solo, there is an essence which is clearly Duda. Finding her flow with collaborators is always uppermost and she found that recently with French horn player Morris Kliphuis from the Netherlands. Their project Wake the Dead is for electronics, improvisation, and a Baroque ensemble and premiers in October.  Alongside her love of communication between musicians, she has begun to appreciate a form of creativity that requires her to dig into herself as opposed to reacting to what is coming at her from the outside. Reading, traveling and connecting to nature are part of her current evolution and in this interview, she eloquently describes the ideas that inform her process.  Music from the episode ‘Grasshopper’ by Joanna Duda Trio from the ‘Fumitsuke’ album  Further reading Joanna Duda / bio on Culture.pl Joanna Duda’s website  Further watching 'Grasshopper' music video / on YouTube Joanna Duda Trio in concert / on YouTube Joanna Duda in concert / on YouTube Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written and produced by Monika Proba Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak Executive production by Move Me Media Edited by Monika Proba Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Monika Proba

In the history of jazz, there haven't been many musicians that give credit to their playing video games. But as a nine-year-old hardcore player, Kuba Więcek developed an affinity with repetitive practice and now feels the need for strategic thinking and fast decision-making has stood him in good stead as a bandleader today. After a pivotal moment as a teenager, which he talks about in the interview, when he improvised on his saxophone for the first time, his 10 hour-a-day, video gaming habit switched to music study. I particularly like musicians that approach jazz in an open and authentic way. It's not historical music. Jazz has always been an expression of emotion in the present moment, reflecting the social, political, and cultural atmospheres around us. That's what improvisation is. I think it's also worth noting that Kuba attended the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen of which I'm a big fan. Some of the most exciting artists like bass player, Petter Eldh, and vocalist Lucia Cadotsch studied there. We live in an era of many, many musics. And conservatories like this one in Denmark encourage the exploration of anything and everything. Whether it's Ornette Coleman, or Kanye West, Tomasz Stanko or Bjork. Kuba reveals he has that curiosity which is so vital to creativity. On a trip to New York, he bought some portable synthesizers and took to them as he had done his video games. And when you hear the interview, you'll get a sense of how experimentation is at the heart of his approach and relationship to which is also key to jazz. The interplay between musicians. In this case with his trio of Michał Barański and  Łukasz Żyta, carving new paths in any art will always have its critics. And these new waves of jazz artists face exclusion from jazz record labels and venues and festivals. When Więcek’s first album, Another Raindrop was released in the renowned Polish Jazz series, there was a backlash. There were comments about his youth and playing skills. And yet the album won two prestigious awards for best jazz debut. You will hear Kuba weaving in stories of his background, his working methods, and what he's drawn to. You sense he has a quiet confidence and belief in what he is doing. But like all of the best artists, his commitment is to the music and not himself. Music from the episode Jazz Robots by Kuba Więcek Trio feat. Marcin Masecki from the album “Multitasking” Further reading Kuba Więcek / bio on Culture.pl Further watching Jazz Robots music video  / on YouTube Kuba Więcek & Piotr Orzechowski live performance / on YouTube Kuba Więcek Trio live  / on YouTube Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written and produced by Monika Proba Executive production by Move Me Media Edited by Monika Proba Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

Marcin Masecki considers that he has two parents, jazz and classical music. As a pianist, he is steeped in the tradition of learning piano as a young child with all the purity and precision that comes with that. In this interview, you get the sense of how that triggered Marcin’s disruptive streak, and how that has been central to his approach to music. There is reverence and intellectual rebellion. Like many accomplished musicians, there is music in his family. Marcin has spoken of his grandmother teaching him piano exercises, and it was on her vintage Steinway that he recorded his album, Die Kunst der Fuge: Bach/Masecki, with a dictaphone. Yes, with a dictaphone. In fact, this is a key point, because Marcin’s appreciation of the imperfect, the broken, and the cult of the Lo Fi is what brings his soulfulness and natural feel for music to the fore. Such qualities can set musicians apart. Marcin has worked in many contexts, and there's a clear sense from his career, that it's important for him to be free to change his setup. He has recorded solo in a duo and sextet, in bands of nine and 10, as well as big bands. He's released classical jazz and alternative pop music, and even an album of Polish Carols sung in Arabic. In this interview, he focuses on his album of Polonaises. Using a 10 piece band, Marcin hoped to integrate this historical national dance of Poland with jazz and a bit of attitude, once again, bringing forward his appreciation of the defective and the unsettling. There is a picture of the complex journey this musician is on, one in which he continually challenges himself again and again. It's a fascinating insight into this artist. Music from the episode Deuxième Grand Polonaise from Marcin Masecki’s album ‘Polonezy’ Further reading Marcin Masecki / bio on Culture.pl Further watching Masecki/Młynarski Big Band / on YouTube.com Masecki/Rogiewicz Duo at Adam Mickiewicz Institute / on Culture.pl Masecki plays Scarlatti / on YouTube.com Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Debra Richards. The show is brought to you by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written and produced by Wojciech Oleksiak Executive production by Move Me Media Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

  Like most Polish jazz musicians, Zbigniew Namysłowski learned the basics of jazz listening to Willis Conover’s “Jazz Hour”. Originally starting his musical career playing piano, cello and trombone, Namysłowski became infatuated with the saxophone after meeting composer Krzysztof Komeda, who happened to be carrying an alto saxophone with him, on a train. During that chance encounter, Namysłowski gave the instrument a try and hasn’t stopped playing the saxophone ever since. His original experiments mixing jazz and folk quickly caught people’s attention and in 1962, Willis Conover himself invited Namysłowski and his band to the US to play at the Newport Jazz Festival. This incredible opportunity marked the eve of Namysłowski’s brilliant international career. Time stamps [01:00] Jazz and communism [02:00] Sopot festivals [04:30] The alto saxophone [06:06] The Voice of America jazz lessons [10:02]The American tour [12:23] Jazz Jamboree [13:40] Folk [17:17] Komeda [18:52] Favorites [23:28] The passport [26:24] Polish-American jazz [27:00] Young talents Music from the episode [11:00]  Composition:  Kalatówki ‘59  Artist: The Wreckers Album: At the last moment [14:15]  Composition: Piątawka  Artist: Zbigniew Namysłowski Quartet Album: Lola [19:47]  Composition: Winobranie / Jak nie ma szmalu to jest łaź   Artist: Zbigniew Namysłowski Album: Winobranie  Further reading Zbigniew Namysłowski // on Culture.pl Interview with Zbigniew Namysłowski // on londonjazznews.com Further watching Zbigniew Namysłowski performing in 2021 Zbigniew Namysłowski performing “Kujawiak goes Funky” in 1997  Zbigniew Namysłowski performing with folk musians during Jazz Jamboree in 1994 Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Paweł Brodowski. The show is brought to you by Culture.pl, the flagship brand of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written by Wojciech Oleksiak & Monika Proba Produced by Move Me Media Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak Proofread by Adam Żuławski Translated by Mateusz Schmidt Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

Adam Makowicz grew up in a house where a piano was the centre of the home. His mother had long planned for him to become a classical virtuoso, but a meeting with a musician who introduced him to jazz changed this path completely. Adam packed his bags and left for Kraków, where he moved into a jazz nightclub and immediately became part of the city’s jazz scene. It was here where his thorough classical education and incredible talent led him to create his unique virtuoso style, one that merged the technique associated with classical music with the vibrance of jazz. In this episode, this standout Polish jazz pianist talks about freedom, beauty and interpretation in jazz music. Time stamps: [01:06] The centre of our home [02:03] Art Tatum [02:59] Radio [04:40] Rebel [05:09] Under the piano [06:49] Duo with Urszula Dudziak [09:30] John Hammond [11:06] Freedom [13:23] The first polish jazz virtuoso [14:04] Solo [15:10] Beauty  [15:58] New York [17:34] Martial Law [19:51] Chopin [22:20] Home Read the transcript of this episode Music from this episode [07:00] Composition: Darkness and Newborn Light Artist: Urszula Dudziak and Adam Makowicz Album: Newborn Light  [10:08] Composition: Chopin's Willows Artist Adam Makowicz Album: Adam  [20:44] Composition: Prelude No. 24 In D Minor Artist: Adam Makowicz, Leszek Możdżer Album: Możdżer vs. Makowicz at the Carnegie Hall  Further Reading  Adam Makowicz // on Culture.pl Willis Conover: The American Godfather of Polish Jazz // on Culture.pl Interview with Willis Conover // on memory.loc.gov Further Watching Adam Makowicz performing in 1986 Adam Makowicz performing with Leszek Możdżer Unit // Full album Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Paweł Brodowski. The show is brought to you by Culture.pl, the flagship brand of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written by Wojciech Oleksiak & Monika Proba Produced by Move Me Media Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak Proofread by Adam Żuławski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

“Polish jazz group - 100$ a night” Displayed on the posters in Michał Urbaniak’s band’s van while playing across Europe in the 60s, this hippy travelling player was soon to become one of the most innovative Polish jazz musicians in history. Though his  European career was quickly evolving,  the old continent simply didn’t feel like enough. From a very young age, Michał knew at heart that he was a New Yorker, eventually jumping at the first chance he got to move to the world’s jazz capital and signing with the legendary Columbia Records. The rest is history. Time stamps [01:11]  The Boys of America [02:29]  An Introduction to Miles [03:22]  New Yorker at heart [07:52]  100$ a night [09:55]  The violin [11:23] New York [12:14]  Columbia [13:19]  Folk [16:16]  The impossible deal [19:08]  Young talents [19:52]  Meeting Miles [23:15]  Poetry & jazz [27:22]  Young musicians Music from the episode [07:33] Composition: Bengal Artist: Super Constellation Album editions: Super Constellation / Fusion I [14:13] Composition: New York Baca Artist: Michał Urbaniak/Michał Urbaniak’s Fusion Album: Atma [20:34] Composition: Don’t Lose Your Mind Artist: Miles Davis Album: Tutu [25:44] Composition: Square Park Sunday Artist: Urbanator Album: Urbanator Further reading Michał Urbaniak // on Culture.pl Interview with Michał Urbaniak // on Culture.pl Michał Urbaniak’s web page Further watching  “New Yorker by Choice” // documentary film about Michał Urbaniak "Chameleon" by Urbanator // Music video Michał Urbaniak performing with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Paweł Brodowski. The show is brought to you by Culture.pl, the flagship brand of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written by Wojciech Oleksiak & Monika Proba Produced by Move Me Media Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak Proofread by Adam Żuławski Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions. The project was carried out thanks to the cooperation with Polskie Nagrania / Warner Music Poland, Sony Music Publishing Poland Sp. z o.o and Urbaniak.com Foundation.

It may be hard to believe, but when Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski started playing music, jazz was censored in Poland. As a result of Stalin’s cultural politics that governed what kinds of art and culture could be consumed in the country,  anything that may have been associated with western imperialism was formally excluded from public life. However, these rigid policies only made jazz more appealing, leading many young people across the country, like Ptaszyn, to fall in love with it. After Stalin’s death in 1953, Ptaszyn entered the newly re-born jazz scene with a bang and quickly became the epitome of the genre. Not only one of Polish jazz’s most brilliant musicians, Ptaszyn is also seen by many as its voice. For over 50 years he’s hosted  “45 Minutes of Jazz” a Polish radio show dedicated to jazz that continues to inspire several new generations of musicians and jazz aficionados. Time stamps [01:11] Outlawed music [03:36] Forbidden love [04:21] Willis Conover [06:53] First jazz events [09:19] Sopot Jazz Festival [12:54] Warsaw - Newport [17:26] Polish Jazz records [20:01] What is Polish jazz? [21:03] Polish Jazz Quartet [22:37] The Polish Radio Jazz Studio Orchestra [24:48] 45 minutes of jazz [26:28] Cruise ships [28:05] The end of the communist regime [28:43] The nineties Music from the episode [06:53] Composition: Memory of Bach Artist: Sextet Komedy Album: Jazz 56. I Ogólnopolski Festiwal muzyki jazzowej  [19:42] Composition: One Step Nearer You Artist: Kurylewicz Quintet Album: Go Right [28:33] Composition: Czarownica   Artist: Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski Sextet Album: Komeda. Moja słodka europejska ojczyzna Further reading Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski // on Culture.pl 'Birds Of A Feather...' The Godfather Of Polish Jazz, Jan 'Birdman' Wroblewski, At Birdland // on top40-charts.com Watch more Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski performing in Poland in 1981 Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski performing at the Sibiu Jazz Festival in 2009 Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Paweł Brodowski. The show is brought to you by Culture.pl, the flagship brand of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written by Bartosz Borowiec & Jan Burzyński Produced by Move Me Media Hosted by Paweł Brodowski Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak Proofread by Adam Żuławski Translated by Mateusz Schmidt Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

Urszula’s love for unruly musical experiments got her kicked out from music school when she was a young girl. A few years later, like many young Poles, she stumbled upon The Voice of America - a radio station meant to bring American culture and censorship-free news to people locked up behind the Iron Curtain. This program is where Urszula heard jazz for the first time. Blown away by the uniqueness of the music, one of the voices she heard marked her particularly - the voice of Ella Fitzgerald. Hearing Ella made her realize the extent of creative freedom jazz could offer, specifically, her understanding that people's voices can serve as musical instruments. From then on, Urszula started developing her distinctive style of wordless vocalisation that can transport listeners to another dimension. Time stamps [01:55] The accordion [02:44] Trouble in school  [03:21] The Voice of America [04:44] Ella Fitzgerald [07:09] American jazz [08:35] Krzysztof Komeda [10:44] Love [11:29] Scandinavian restaurants [13:33] All that smoke [15:02] Discovering electronics [16:30] Duo with Adam Makowicz [19:16] New York [22:33] Papaya  [29:24] The best age Click here to read the transcript for this episode Music from the episode [14:08] Composition: Bengal Artist: Super Constellation  Album editions: Super Constellation / Fusion I  [17:37] Composition: Darkness and Newborn Light Artist: Urszula Dudziak and Adam Makowicz Album: Newborn Light  [22:33] Composition: Papaya  Artist: Urszula Dudziak Album: Urszula [26:18] Composition: Kama  Artist: Michał Urbaniak/Michał Urbaniak’s Fusion Album: Atma Further reading Urszula Dudziak // on Culture.pl A Foreigners Guide to Polish Jazz // on Culture.pl Willis Conover: The American Godfather of Polish Jazz // on Culture.pl From bop to żal: how jazz became the voice of freedom in Poland // on Guardian.com Further watching Urszula performing in 1973 Urszula performing in 1998 Filipino soldiers dancing the Papaya dance Credits This episode of Rebel Spirits was hosted by Paweł Brodowski. The show is brought to you by Culture.pl, the flagship brand of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. Written by Wojciech Oleksiak & Monika Proba Produced by Move Me Media Hosted by Paweł Brodowski Edited by Wojciech Oleksiak Proofread by Adam Żuławski Translated by Mateusz Schmidt Design by Dawid Ryski Scoring & sound design by Wojciech Oleksiak Copyrights The publisher would like to thank all copyright owners for their kind permission to reproduce their material. Should, despite our intensive research, any person entitled to rights have been overlooked, legitimate claims shall be compensated within the usual provisions.

A podcast about five Polish jazz musicians who came of age in the 1950s and became mesmerised by the music they heard on the outlawed American radio station Voice of America. You’ll hear about difficult decisions, compromises, and longing for a better world. How they went from learning to play jazz from worn-out vinyls to becoming icons that continue to inspire the music world today. Hosted by Paweł Brodowski, brought to you by Culture.pl, the flagship brand of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute. ‘Rebel Spirits: The Story of Polish Jazz’, coming June 2021. Available wherever you get your podcasts, and on Culture.pl.