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Krzysztof Popek
He started off as a jazz musician at Jazz Juniors ’82 and Jazz Nad Odra ’85 festivals winning individual awards at both. He plays the soprano and alto flute. Besides, he is a composer, arranger and inspirational leader of his numerous bands of which “Young Power” stands out as the most renowned and popular.
The album “Letters and Leaves” also proved to be a success. It was recorded by KRZYSZTOF POPEK QUINTET and was nominated for the Polish Grammy Award – Fryderyk ’96 and came second in Jazz Forum’s Album of the Year ’96 ranking.
In 2005 he recorded important "House of Jade" with a magnificen tAmerican rhythm section: Victor Lewis, David Friesen and Randy Porter.-" Popek is a precise player with beautiful technique... "Elliot Simon, November 2006, ALLABOUTJAZZ - NEW YORK
In 2006 "You Are In My Heart " with Joe LaBarbera, David Friesen, Randy Porter and Piotr Wojtasik and in 2007 together with Victor Lewis, Cameron Brown, Stephen Scott and Piotr Wojtasik – “ Estate “
His newest “ Fresh Air Project” recorded together with George Cables, Cameron Brown, Victor Lewis, Nicolas Simion and Piotr Wojtasik.
Now, he played and recorded with Kirk Lightsey, Stephen Scott, Cameron Brown, Victor Lewis, Joe La Barbera, David Friesen, Randy Porter, George Cables, Ed Schuller, Jasper van't Hof, John Betsch, Piotr Wojtasik.
He has performed in major clubs in Europe, and also at such festivals as Warsaw Jazz Summer, Jazz Jamboree, Molde International Jazz Festival, Göttinger Jazzfestival, Leverkusener Jazz Tage, Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Berlin Jazz Tage, Stockholm Jazz and Blues All Stars Festival and many others. In 1997 Krzysztof Popek and his Quintet performed in Bonn, Germany to celebrate Poland’s accession to NATO. Promoting “Estate” performed in New York’s – “Sweet Rhythm”.
Awards
Every year since 1988 (also in 2018) Krzysztof Popek has been awarded the Flute Player of the Year ( Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine ) 1987 �" Krzysztof Popek awarded the Musician of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1987 �" Young Power (Krzysztof Popek’s big band ) awarded the Big Band of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1988 �" Krzysztof Popek awarded the Musician of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1988 �" Krzysztof Popek awarded the Arranger of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1988 �" Young Power ( Krzysztof Popek’s big band ) awarded the Band of the Year 1996 - Krzysztof Popek Quintet’s “Letters & Leaves" Album of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1996 Krzysztof Popek Quintet’s “Letters & Leaves" was nominated for the Polish Grammy Award �" Fryderyk ’96
Tags
Krzysztof Popek: Fresh Air Project
by Jerry D'Souza
Time has stamped Krzysztof Popek as a potent force on the Polish jazz scene. The flautist could have found a comfort zone in his native land given the accolades he accumulated there. Instead, he gathered a varied supporting cast of international musicians over the years,and built a strong edifice to his musical explorations. He stamps his credentials all over again on this recording. Popek explores through the senses of several composers including himself. His Letters and Leaves" gets ...
read moreKrzysztof Popek: Estate
by Jerry D'Souza
Alto flautist Krzysztof Popek gives his music another vantage point with Estate. From Poland, Popek has long been part of a very fertile and evolving turf that included Michal Urbaniak, Tomasz Stanko and Jaroslaw Smietana. It was in this environment that Popek established himself as the leading flautist of the country. But boundaries dissolve with the craft of this musician, who plays from the depths of his soul.
One constant factor on Popek's recordings has been trumpeter Piotr Wojtasik. He ...
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Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson