Jazz breaking news: Nigel Kennedy’s Polish Weekend Takes Over Southbank
Friday, May 21, 2010
Firebrand violinist Nigel Kennedy unveils a varied weekend of Polish music, mixing jazz, folk and classical as well as creating a unique film screening and late night jam sessions between 29 – 31 May at London’s Southbank Centre.
As well as appearing with his acclaimed Polish quartet featuring blistering post-bop sax man Tomasz Grzegorski, Kennedy will kick off the weekend with his Orchestra of Life that will perform his own arrangements of both Bach and Ellington pieces. The event will also showcase a whole range of emerging Polish musical talent that includes fiery folk group Zakopower, as well as groups led by trumpeter Robert Majewski, klezmer band Kroke, leading Polish jazz pianist Piotr Wylezol, guitarist Jarek Śmietana and alluring jazz vocal star Anna Maria Jopek.
Ensuring all musical bases are covered Kennedy also presents his Chopin Supergroup (Poland’s most celebrated classical composer) with a top-notch ensemble, featuring pianist Janusz Olejniczak, as well as singer Jopek all of whom will present both traditional and contemporary takes on Chopin’s music. Most intriguing of all the concerts is Kennedy’s World Cup Project that will see a screening of the legendary 1973 World Cup qualifying match between England and Poland, with a live, partly improvised, soundtrack provided by Kennedy and many of the musicians appearing across the event. Each night will conclude with a late night jam session at Queen Elizabeth Hall’s Front Room stage with low price tickets going for just £5.