Artists 2015
Piotr Wojtasik Quartet
Piotr Wojtasik - trumpet
Victor Toth - saxophone
Michał Barański - contrabass
Erik Alen - drums
Piotr Wojtasik – trumpeter, composer and lecturer at the Jazz Music Institute of the Music Academy in Katowice.
Pitor Wojatisk regularly plays with the world’s top jazz musicians. His musical career began with his studies at the Music Academy in Katowice, 1978 - 1983. He made his first recordings with a band named New Presentation, with which he also made his debut at the Jazz Jamboree Festival in 1988. The end of 80’s resulted in co-operation with the Young Power and arrangements for his first own CD, which Piotr Wojtasik recorded in 1990 with the participation of leading stars of the Polish jazz scene, such as: Jan ’Ptaszyn’ Wróblewski, Wojciech Niedziela, Andrzej Cudzich and Eryk Kulm.
Other sessions have evolved in a successful series. They came about with participation of Polish, as well as world artists. In 1994. ‘Lonely Town’ with Wojtasik’s trumpet over the rhythm section and a chamber orchestra became ‘The Album of the Year’ by the Jazz Forum magazine. In 1996 Wojtasik launched his breakthrough album ’Quest’, for which he had invited the best jazz saxophonist, Billy Harper. Accidental cooperation turned into a long friendship, which has brought common concerts to date, mainly with The Billy Harper Quintet. Apart from Harper, other outstanding musicians took part in this recording. These are: Americans Buster Williams, Ben Riley and a Polish star, Leszek Możdżer.
1997 – 2001 saw the activity of the Piotr Wojtasik Quintet with a leading Polish tenor saxophonist, Tomasz Szukalski. The effect of this co-operation was ’Escape’, recorded in 1998. Only three years later another recording session took place, for which Wojtasik had invited the front runners of American jazz. Saxophonist Dave Liebman, drummer Ronnie Burrage, bassist Clarence Seay and again pianist Leszek Możdżer, all join Piotr Wojtasik to record ‘Hope’, an album which brought the leader a double Fryderyk award in 2003.
From the very beginning of his career, Wojtasik has been invited to co-operate by the forefront of the Polish jazz scene as well as artists from abroad. He has performed at numerous festivals and jazz events, quickly establishing himself as one of the most popular jazzmen in Poland. He has won the Jazz Top survey, by the Jazz Forum magazine many times and his concerts regularly attract a large group of devoted fans. In the past few years his trumpet has been heard in many venues around the world, e.g. Sun Set in Paris, Porgy in Vienna and at the world’s most famous Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada. Outside Poland he regularly appears in the international combo of bassist, Michael Donato, the group of a Rumanian saxophonist, Nicolas Simion and with the legendary The Billy Harper Quintet, performing alongside such stars as Kenny Garrett, Clarence Seay and Newman Taylor Baker.
For Piotr Wojtasik the last two years have been a time of intensive work on his new projects. The year 2006 began with the premiere of his latest album called, ’We Want to Give Thanks’. The CD recorded in New York with such legendary musicians as drummer Billy Hart, bassist Reggie Workman and saxophonists Gary Bartz, Vincent Herring and Billy Harper is a very important point in Wojtasik’s discography. 2007, brought the album ‘Circle’, recorded with saxophonist Steve Lacy’s rhythm section, drummer John Betsch, bassist Jean-Jacquesem Avanelema and with the lead of Polish jazz, together with a wind section, percussion and a harp. The album has received great reviews by all Polish music magazines and the author promotes it on more important musical events.
At the moment Piotr Wojtasik is concentrating on his own quartet in which he puts great hopes. He invited to co-operation bassist Wayne Dockery and drummer John Betsch. A Polish jazzman, Maciej Sikała, also plays in this formation. In the very near future, the group has planned several concerts in various European countries, as well as the recording of an album. Still, according to the artists ‘the best is yet to come’.
Jakub Rabizo i Jakub Kościuszko
Jakub Rabizo - born 1975. The 2nd Concertmaster At Prussian String Orchestra in Prenzlau/Germany. He was former the Concertmaster at Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra in Szczecin/Poland and Concertmaster of Chamber Orchestra Camerata Nova in Szczecin.
Sebastian Aleksandrowicz
He was taking the master classes at many well’known proffessors such as: Wanda Wilkomirska, Zakhar Bron, Stephan Picard and others. He was a stipendist of Polish Culture Ministry and Mediceus Fond in Gdansk/Poland.
Jakub Rabizo is the prize winner at many chamber music competitions, e. g. Pierre Lantier in Paris with his piano trio, in Przemysl with duo (classical guitar and violin), etc.
He was the founder of Trio a la Quartetto, String Quartett Art-Ton, Baltic Neopolis Orchestra and Rabizo String Quarett. He is guest concertmaster of German Polish String Orchestra in Berlin.
His major solo violinist activity is based on virtuoso-romantic repertoire, where he can show the beauty of romantic music and its awesome technical difficulty.
Jakub Kościuszko - perfection,
excellent, amazing, sensitive virtuoso –
these all terms come from the music critics` articles concerning
Jakub Kościuszko. Jakub Kościuszko has performed concerts in
Poland, Austria, Italy, , France, The Netherlands and Germany, being
invited to festivals in Warsaw, Szczecin, Wroclaw, Kielce, Lodz,
Zielona Gora, to mention but a few. He has played as a soloist with
the philharmonic orchestras of Szczecin, Zielona Gora, Kielce,
Talents of Szczecin Orchestra, Baltic Neopolis and Camerata Nova
orchestra. He plays regularly in duos with Rita D`Arcangelo (flutist,
laureate of the Global Music Award) and Jakub Bokun, one of the best
European clarinetists. In 2010 he has recorded a CD with works of
Marek Pasieczny, i.a. with the Threnody
of the Victims of Bełżec,
dedicated to Kościuszko. The debut album was highly acclaimed by the
critics in Europe and USA. In 2012 he released Guitar
Recital
with works by Bach, Tansman, Piazzolla, Jarrett and Metheny. The
newest album, Guitar
sounds jazzy,
contains music inspired by jazz and world music.
Jakub Kościuszko
started to learn to play the guitar at the age of 8. In the age of 16
his biography was placed in the Lexicon of Polish Guitarists. In 2004
he graduated with honors from the Music School in Szczecin, where he
was a pupil of Piotr Pałac. In 2009 he graduated with honors from
the classes of Piotr Zaleski at the “Karol Lipinski” Academy of
Music in Wroclaw and maestro Zoran Dukić at the Royal Conservatoire
in The Hague. In 2010 he received a ‘Diploma di Merito’ and a
scholarship from maestro Oscar Ghiglia during Accademia Chigiana in
Siena.
Jakub Kościuszko shares his knowledge with students of
the Academy of Art in Szczecin, the Nowowiejski Music High School in
Szczecin and Kreismusikschule Uckermark in Prenzlau. He regularly
teaches guitar at music courses and master classes.
He is a
laureate of several international guitar competitions. He
participated in master classes of such great guitarists as: Abel
Carlevaro, Oscar Ghiglia, Roberto Aussel, Pavel Steidl, Scott
Tennant.
Born in 1976 in Bytom, Poland. Graduated from the F. Chopin Academy of Music – oboe class of prof. Stanislaw Malikowski and Tytus Wojnowicz. Since 1996 he is a soloist of the Polish National Opera orchestra and as of 2007 he holds the Principal Oboe position of the Wroclaw Philharmonics. In 2001-2003 he was Principal Oboist of the Polish Radio Orchestra and in 2005-2007 he held the same position at the National Philharmonics Orchestra. He collaborated with orchestras like Philharmonie der Nationen Hamburg as a Principal Oboe and soloist; Polish Chamber Philharmonics, Sinfonia Varsovia, Leopoldinum, Sinfonia Wratislawia, Beethoven Academy Orchestra, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Morphing Chamber Orchestra Vienna, Vienna Waltzer Orchester. Chamber and solo musi play an important role in his concert activity. As a soloist and chamber musician he performed in Poland, Spain, Germany, Austria, Russia and Japan with ensembles like Ensemble de Narol, New Art Ensemble, Tokyo Solisten, Sinfonia Varsovia, Wroclaw Philharmonics, Leopoldinum, Concerto Avenna, Przemysl Chamber Orchestra, Gorzow Philharmonics, Morphing Chamber Orchestra Vienna, Gruppo di Tempera, Royal String Quartet, Lutoslawski Quartet, Kamerata Quartet, Hilliard Ensemble and in duet with Andreas Scholl. In May 2013 he played a Polish premiere of Antal Dorati’s Trittico per oboe, oboe d’amore e corno inglese.
For many years he has had a fruitful cooperation with Jerzy Satanowski, recording his theatre and film music. Artist has made a lot of recordings for radio an television . Since 2012 he is tutor and artist of International Chamber Music Festival princes Daisy in Książ .
Artelier Consort
Consort created specially for 6th edition of Artelier Festival.
Consort
members:
Gustaw Ciężarek - violin
Cezary Gójski - violin
Łukasz Nazarczuk - violin
Gwidon Ciężarek - violin
Anna Barańska - viola
Wojciech Sławiński - cello
Soyeon Lim - keybords
Tomasz Woźniak - trumpet
Anna Nazarczuk - dance and movement
Gustaw Ciężarek graduated from the State Music School in Szczecin where he studied with Prof. Roman Wolf, and the Feliks Nowowiejski Secondary Music School where he studied with Prof. Michał Cebrij. Continued his studies at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw with Prof. Mirosław Ławrynowicz, Prof. Konstanty Andrzej Kulka, Prof. Roman Lasocki and Dr. Andrzej Gębski. For many years participated in Master Classes of String Instruments in Łańcut, Zakopane and Frombork, mastering his skills with Marina Yashvili, Wolfgang Marschner, Roland Baldini, Robert Szreder, Helen Brunner. Awared a scholarship for Masterclasses in Goch in Germany (twice). A prizewinner of violin competitions in Poznań and Elbląg (Poland). In 2009 has been laureate of Grand Prix in 6th International “Forgotten Polish Music” Competition organized by Acte Prealable label. In 2008 has been laureate of 2nd prize and special prize for best performing netherland composer's work in "12th International Contemporary Chamber Music Competition". Performed Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski and Mendelsohn’s violin concertos as a soloist with the Szczecin Philharmonic Orchestra, Szczecin Opera House Orchestra and International Youth Orchestra Pomerania. Awarded scholarships by the Major of Szczecin and “TPS - Friends of Szczecin Society”. From 2008 is Concertmaster of Lomza Philharmonic. From 2010 is director of Artelier Chamber Music Festival in Szczecin.
Łukasz Nazarczuk born in 1982 in Szczecin where he finished his education in the music secondary school in Prof. Wladimir Ivaniciw’ s class. Since 1999 he has taken part in master music course, for example with Vadim Brocki, Martina Jaszfila, Krzysztof Jakowicz, Batosz Bryla and Robert Szreder. He performed as a soloist with a Polish – German orchestra ‘Pomerania’ conducted by Wolfgang Shpitz. Three times he was the winner of the first prize of the Szczecin composer competition. In 2008 he graduated from EJ Paderewski Music Academy in Poznan in Prof. Michal Grabarczyk’s class. He was a member of many chamber music ensembles performing in Poland and abroad. Co-author of many chamber music recordings. In 2009 he completed his post-graduate studies, with a specialization in Baroque violin studies, at the Posnan Music Academy in Mikolaj Zgolka’s class. He gives concerts and teaches at a music school.
Gwidon Ciężarek - student in prof. Andrzej Gębski class on Fryderyk Chopin Uniwersity of Music in Warsaw. Participant in many of the International Music Courses in Łańcut where he has workjed with Prof. Helen Brunner, Prof. Mirosław Ławrynowicz, Prof. Andrzej Gębski, Prof. George Michel. Participant in music courses in Szczecin where he worked with Prof. Wanda Wiłkomirska, Prof. Joe Wawrowski, Prof. Michal Grabarczyk, Prof. Bartosz Bryla, Prof. Marcin Baranowcki, Prof. Jan Staniendy. Prize winner in Polish and international violin competitions:
- O. Rieding Polish Violin Competition in Warsaw – distinction (2004)
- Young Polish violinists in Plock – distinction (2006)
- 1st competition ‘Violin for Best’ in Szczecin - 3rd place (2007)
- 2nd competition ‘Violin for Best’ in Szczecin – distinction (2008)
- M. Lawrynowicz International competition in Plock – distinction (2009)
- Ph. Telemann International contest in Poznań – Finalist (2010)
- Tadeusz Wroński Polish Violin Competition in Tomaszow Mazowiecki – 2nd (2010)
- H. Wieniawski, S. Serwaczyński Violin Competition in Lublin - 3rd (2014)
President of Szczecin Scholarship, Friends of Szczecin Society and Children Fund Scholarships, "Młoda Polska" Scholarship reciver.
Cezary Gójski starts his journey with violin in 1987 when he pass exams to Moniuszko Elementry Music School in Warsaw, where during 8 years develop his music skills in Józef Laskowski class. In 1995 he continue study in Szymanowski Music Highschool in Warsaw in Marek Zebura and Paweł Rybkowski class. In 1999 starts study in Fryderyk Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw (Białystok branch) in Dariusz Garbacz class. During study he participate many masterclasses and workshops where he study with N. Meyerscough, M. Rezler, T. Tomaszewski, K. Podejko, K. Olechowski, J. Stanienda. Already durind study he starts to perform like a mamber of Sinfonia Viva. Since 2004 pass exams and start to work in Podlasie Opera and Philharmony. He works there till 2009, where during last 2 years he is I violin solo player. In 2007 starts to work like a teacher in Elementry Music School and Music Highschool in Suwalki, where he teach with a lot of passion.
