Henryk Miskiewicz - Altssimonica (Jazz Symphony for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra)

Henryk Miskiewicz
Altssimonica
Jazz Symphony for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra

Label: Polskie Radio, Poland (2004)
Catalogue No: PRCD 460
Format: CD

Tracks:

Line-up:

Henryk Miskiewicz - alto saxophone
Jan Ptaszyn Wroblewski - composer
Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra directed by Zbigniew Graca, artistic director Wojciech Rajski

About:

Jan Ptaszyn Wroblewski, the godfather of Polish jazz, is celebrating his 50-year career anniversary this year. His characteristic cap has for years been the most recognizable trademark of Polish jazz. Wroblewski's jubilee was the opening gig at this year's JVC Warsaw Jazz Festival-Jazz Jamboree. Two years after his debut in the band of Krzysztof Komeda, he played with Louis Armstrong and went on to play with celebrities such as Sonny Rollins and Charlie Mingus.

Many performers on the Polish music scene grew up on Wroblewski's music and programs, broadcast on Polish Radio Three, where every Monday he hosts "Three Quarters of Jazz." Oct. 22, 2004 belonged to Wróblewski. The concert started with Wróblewski and his trio, who performed a few of his familiar tunes (including "Blue Sands"). They were followed by the Polish Radio Orchestra with Henryk Miskiewicz that brought the audience to their knees with "Altissimonica," a composition by Wróblewski. This brilliant rendition satisfied even the most demanding listeners. The force was with Wroblewski and Miskiewicz that night. No other sax could have sounded better in that piece... (The Warsaw Voice, October 2004)

Jan Ptaszyn Wroblewski debuted in 1956 in the sextet of Krzysztof Komeda. Bands he has fronted include the Poznan Quintet, Jazz Outsiders, Polish Jazz Quartet, Polish Radio Jazz Studio, Stowarzyszenie Popierania Prawdziwej Tworczosci Chałturnik, Mainstream and Made in Poland. He has played with outstanding jazz musicians in Poland and on stages around the world. Wróblewski has also chaired the Polish Jazz Association and was the first Polish jazz artist to play side by side with Louis Armstrong at the Newport Jazz festival in 1958.

*****

Alto saxophone player Henryk Miskiewcz has been a shining star of Polish Jazz scene for more them three decades. Funding member of legendary Jazz Carriers group. He has played with many outstanding jazz musicians in Poland and abroad (together with Joe Lovano). He toured Poland, Europe and stages around the world including Pori Jazz Festival (Finland), Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy) and Jazz Jamboree (Poland). Miskiewicz was nominated as a musician of the year to Fryderyk award (Polish equivalent of Grammy) and many times won Jazz Jamboree magazine awards for the best alto sax player in Poland.

He is a father of jazz drummer Michal Miskiewicz (Simple Acoustic trio, Tomasz Stanko Quartet) and jazz singer Dorota Miskiewicz.

Henryk Miskiewicz selected discography:
Let’s swing again (1971; w/ Big Band Stodoła)
Carry On (w/ Jazz Carriers)
Kto tak pięknie gra (w/ PPT Chałturnik)
Nowe Twarze-Nowe Głosy (1976)
Jam Session w Akwarium: Noc Pierwsza (1978)
Jam Session w Akwarium: Noc Druga (1978)
Swing Session: Aquarium Live (1979),
Z lotu ptaka (1980; w/ J.P.Wróblewski Quartet & Friends)
Grand Standard Orchestra (1981),
Ewa Bem & Swing Session: Be a Man (1981)
Akumula-Torres (1983; w/ Extra Ball)
New Presentation (1983)
Follow Us (z Sun Ship)
Sake (1984; w/ Andrzejem Olejniczakiem, Zbigniewem Wegehauptem)
Northern Song (1993; w/ Kubą Stankiewiczem)
Voice Painting (1994; w/ Markiem Bałatą)
Birthday (1994; w/ Erykiem Kulmem)
More Love (1994)
Kakaruka (1995)
Remembrances (1996)
Ja nie chcę spać (1999)
Lyrics (2001)