We invite you to a concert dedicated to the work of Jerzy Milian. In 2013, Bernard Maseli launched the project ‘Tribute to Jerzy Milian’, which is unique not only on the Polish jazz scene. For the first time in the history of Polish jazz, four of the most outstanding Polish jazz vibraphonists appear on one stage, accompanied by a rhythm section. They all feel heirs to the work of the ‘father’ of the Polish vibraphone school, Jerzy Milian. Thus they pay tribute to this outstanding artist by presenting his most famous compositions (including the prominent ‘Memory of Bach’ or ‘At the Watch Makers’) in ensemble configurations and individually.
Jorge Valcarcel explains the sources of the everlasting passion of musicians whose life and work are related to percussion instruments: ‘Drums always play solo! Each instrument in the orchestra has its own specificity. It is known that the soloists are oboists, flautists and trumpeters; French horn players – a challenging instrument. On the other hand, the drummers have such a difficulty that they have to master several playing techniques. Drums, apart from being responsible for a rhythm, are also a colour. They give a fantastic colour, no matter how and where they occur. That's why it's such a beautiful instrument.’
Our exceptional guest, Bernard Maseli, began his career in 1985 with the Walk Away ensemble at the Jazz nad Odrą festival in Wrocław, where he won the main soloist prize while the ensemble won the first place in its category. Maseli and Walk Away recorded ten LPs and took part in all the most prominent jazz festivals in the country and abroad.
The following years saw cooperation with the Young Power ensemble, followed by concerts as part of the Back In duo and the Music Painters trio (including Jose Torres). In 1999, together with the saxophonist Jerzy Główczewski and the vocalist Kuba Badach, he created his first original project called The Globetrotters. The ensemble quickly gained great popularity, which is reflected in four albums and nearly 500 concerts given. Other excellent projects bring recordings with star casts and numerous concert tours. He is the author of many compositions and arrangements (including radio productions) and has recorded over seventy albums. For 20 years, he has been ranked first in the vibraphone category in the Jazz Top poll of the Jazz Forum monthly.
