When in 2004 Vandermark 5 played on the stage of club Alchemia, invited by Marek Winiarski and led by its founder Ken Vandermark, probably no one was expecting that it would be only the first out of many great jazz events in Krakow. All five evenings played by Vandermark 5, including first performances of new material, were recorded and released by NotTwo Records in a stunning form of a 12-cds box, awarded by All About Jazz as one of the best releases of 2005.
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| Peter Brötzmann |
That event inspired the owners of Alchemia - Jacek Żakowski and Aleksander Witynski, to organize an entire festival that was realized under the name of "Autumn with NotTwo Records" and in the years to come was renamed as Krakowska Jesien Jazzowa (Krakow Jazz Atumn Festival).
More than 100 concerts with participation of circa 150 musicians took place - vast majority of which are prominent representants of modern jazz and improvised music scene, including some true legends of the genre as Anthony Braxton, Joe McPhee, Charles Gayle or Peter Brötzmann.
More than 100 concerts with participation of circa 150 musicians took place - vast majority of which are prominent representants of modern jazz and improvised music scene, including some true legends of the genre as Anthony Braxton, Joe McPhee, Charles Gayle or Peter Brötzmann.
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| Mats Gustafsson |
We were able to witness the birth moment of new projects that premiered during the festival, the club Alchemia itself was recognized by the musicians themselves as one the best places for live music in Europe. We were able to participate in the making of the Resonance group created by Ken Vandermark (resulting in yet another boxset by NotTwo Records presenting the entirety of 4 club evenings in Alchemia and the final concert). Another project of importance was the MAGIC quartet - a meeting of the legendary TRIO X with polish reeds player Mikolaj Trzaska. Once again the material recorded was realeased by NotTwo Records.
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| William Parker |
A sign of special recognition towards the makers and organizators of the festival came when Barry Guy moved from Dublin to Krakow the 10th anniversary celebration of his Barry Guy New Orchestra. The fans and appreciators of jazz music had an unique opportunity to see and hear live some of the greatest improvisers of our time to name just Evan Parker, Trevor Watts, Phil Lytton or Mats Gustafsson.
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| Michael Zerang, Dave Rempis, Per Åke Holmlander, Mikołaj Trzaska, Ken Vandermark |
We invite you also to visit www.photofreejazz.blogspot.com.
Blog PhotFreeJazz serves as a photo journal of almost all of the concerts that took place during the KJJ or the 'spring' cycle. While browsing through the galleries one can immagine the amount of work and the level of dedication and passion that was put into the Festival by its originators and makers.
Blog PhotFreeJazz serves as a photo journal of almost all of the concerts that took place during the KJJ or the 'spring' cycle. While browsing through the galleries one can immagine the amount of work and the level of dedication and passion that was put into the Festival by its originators and makers.
fot. Krzysztof Penarski