Creative Spirit

This year is so full of surprises, we even have to keep a close eye on our calendars. The latest edition of the Jazz Juniors festival, launched in 1976, will be held earlier than in previous years (1-4 October). As an act of solidarity with homegrown artists, the organisers have only invited Polish musicians to appear at Cricoteka. The celebration of jazz kicks off with competition reviews, with young artists being assessed by artistic director of the festival Adam Pierończyk, pianist Dominik Wania and double-bassist Sławomir Kurkiewicz. The festival section is also held in a different format: instead of hearing familiar ensembles, this year musicians appear in brand-new line-ups and successive evenings resound with improvisation.

The festival kicks off with Pierończyk himself: on 2 October he performs solo, later joined by the other jury members as well as Dawid Fortuna and DJ Eprom. The concerts held on 3 and 4 October present two nine-strong groups featuring artists of different generations. The musicians meet on the day of performance for rehearsals, and a few hours later appear before the public in small ensembles and in the full line-up.

This year’s competition features two additional individual distinctions: the prize for best double-bassist funded by the Andrzej Cudzich Foundation, and the Janusz Muniak Prize created on Pierończyk’s initiative. (Bartosz Suchecki, “Karnet”)