The Fusionist: Zbigniew Namysłowski
Manage episode 298731612 series 2914002
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 readingZbigniew Namysłowski // on Culture.pl
Interview with Zbigniew Namysłowski // on londonjazznews.com
Zbigniew Namysłowski performing “Kujawiak goes Funky” in 1997
Zbigniew Namysłowski performing with folk musians during Jazz Jamboree in 1994
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
CopyrightsThe 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.
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