Mikolaj Trzaska and World Masters of Jazz Improvisation - Intimate Conversations - U.S. Tour

Intimate Conversations is certainly a welcome addition to the McPhee/ Rosen catalog, and clearly Trzaska is someone we can hope to hear from further on these shores" – Clifford Allen, All About Jazz

MIKOLAJ TRZASKA is a virtuoso saxophonist, bass clarinetist, and composer, who co-founded the cult group Milosc (Love, 1988-2002), opening a new chapter in Polish jazz – the famous YASS current. The group challenged the so-called classical streams in Polish jazz by creating music which merged New Wave, free jazz, contemporary rock, surrealist instrumental theater, and poetry. As Trzaska is eager to take risks, his music is raw, creative, and individual, yet sophisticated, nostalgic, and accessible. Trzaska is also a composer of film and theater music.

As one of the leading voices of jazz and improvised music in Poland, Mikolaj Trzaska has worked with myriad musicians in many different groupings throughout Europe, including such luminaries as Lester Bowie, Peter Brötzmann, John Tchicai, Tomasz Stańko, Peter Ole Jorgensen, and Noel Akchote, among many others. For his East Coast Concerts, Trzaska is joined by jazz multi-instrumentalist JOE MCPHEE,heralded as one of jazz’s most talented multi-instrumentalists and improvisers,and the first-rate drummer,JAY ROSEN. Together they have recorded the critically acclaimed album INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS(Krakow 2006). In New Haven and Philadelphia they will be joined by one of the finest and most prolific bassists, DOMINIC DUVAL. Together they have formed the new quartet, MAGIC.

Trzaska forged relationships with several Chicago improvisers through his participation in Ken Vandermark’s Resonance Project, which took place in Poland during November of 2007. For his Chicago debut during theEuropean Jazz Meets Chicago & Umbrella Music Festival, he’s joined by one of Chicago’s finest rhythm sections: the dynamic KENT KESSLER on bass, and master percussionist MICHAEL ZERANG. For his second appearance in Chicago Trzaska will be joined by New York’s EVAN O’REILLY and TOMAS FUJIWARA and the genre-bending Swiss bassist Christian Weber. Expect a high-energy improvised blowout.

OCTOBER 30- NOVEMBER 8, 2008
U.S. Tour: New York, New Haven, Philadelphia, Chicago

NEW YORK CITY, RUCMA Series @ The Living Theater
Thursday, October 30, 10:30 PM

NEW HAVEN, Firehouse 12
Friday, October 31, 8:30 & 10:00 PM

PHILADELPHIA, Ars Nova Workshop @ International House Philadelphia
Wednesday, November 2, 8:00 PM

CHICAGO, European Jazz Meets Chicago Festival @ The Chicago Cultural Center
Wednesday, November 5, 7:30 PM

CHICAGO, The Hideout
Saturday, November 8, 9:00 PM