Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet: jazz crossing boundaries and the world of “Polka”

Few artists in Poland are invited abroad to perform so often; few musical genres have representatives who cross boundaries so easily and whose work is understood in almost every corner of the world.

Wojtek Mazolewski represents Polish jazz at its finest. On the one hand, he draws on classic sounds and recording techniques, inheriting the musical legacy of internationally admired Polish jazz greats. On the other, he creates fresh music accessible to young audiences who follow new trends and know jazz mainly through artists such as Koop, Brad Mehldau and Robert Glasper Experiment.

The music on Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet’s latest album, “Polka”, is a traveller’s diary of sorts, hence titles such as “Paris”, “Berlin” and “Bangkok”. “Polka” combines tradition and modernity musically, including covers of Major Lazer, Rage Against The Machine and Nirvana, and conceptually. The release features special artwork, its cover showing a photograph of Małgorzata Braunek by master photographer Tadeusz Rolke. “Polka” showcases Mazolewski’s collaborators Joanna Duda, Oskar Török, Marek Pospieszalski and Qba Janicki. The album’s patrons are Polish Radio Three, Co Jest Grane, Jazz Forum and Jazz Soul.pl.

“…If you have the opportunity nearby to catch Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet on tour, go without hesitation!…” Katarzyna Irzeńska

Within just days of its premiere, the album won recognition from audiences and critics.

“… If world music could have a ‘nu-’ prefix, the first release in the genre has just appeared”. Piotr Metz, Wprost

“You will not find as many catchy melodies and as much joy in playing together on any other record as in Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet's songs. Most importantly, this is jazz that pop fans and lovers of all music once charmingly called ‘youth music’ can also enjoy, while older listeners will happily feel younger to it”. Marek Dusza, Rzeczpospolita