Articles by Marek J. Śmietański

In Pictures

Miles Electric Band at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days 2026

by Marek J. Śmietański
October 21, 2026

A collection of photos from the Miles Electric Band concert at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days featuring Jean-Paul Bourelly, Keyon Harrold, Robert Irving III, Munyungo Jackson, Darryl Jones, Antoine Roney, Greg Spero, Vince Wilburn Jr., Rasaki Aladokun and DJ Logic. Other photo reports from the same festival: Tomoki Sanders at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Adrian Younge at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Lizz Wright at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Jowee Omicil at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Mammal Hands at Warsaw ...

Radio & Podcasts

Giraffe, Jan Harbeck Quartet, Kirsten Sym Undectet, Linda Sikhakhane & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
October 20, 2026

The 131st episode is built around August 2026 releases. Two debuts--one from Los Angeles, one from Norway--set the tone: jazz without fixed borders, shaped by listening rather than planning. From there the programme moves through stillness and restraint, then into the question of what happens when musicians spend decades absorbing tradition until it becomes entirely their own. Identity rooted in place drives the next stretch, from the Mediterranean to Western Australia to South Africa. The episode's most personal moment comes ...

In Pictures

Hania Derej Trio at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy

by Marek J. Śmietański
October 7, 2026

A collection of photos from the Hania Derej Trio concert at Wytwórnia in Lodz on July 16, 2026 featuring Hania Derej, Mateusz Szewczyk, Gniewomir Tomczyk and a guest appearance by Krzysztof Kusmierek. Other photo reports from the same festival: Dust Bunny at The 19th Summer Jazz Academy, QuartSky at The 19th Summer Jazz Academy, The Young Mothers at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy, Robinson Khoury Quatuor Demi-Lune at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy, Aether at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy. Look ...

Radio & Podcasts

Confusion Project, SongAh Chae Trio, Bignami Veltri Jazz Ensemble & More

by Marek J. Śmietański
September 30, 2026

The 130th episode surveys July 2026 releases and two summer catch-ups--as usual--arranged into six sets. The programme opens with personal tributes and hard bop rooted in mentorship, moves through a Polish bloc spanning contemporary folk-inflected jazz, archived jazz-rock and international improvisation, then pushes into veteran free jazz and cosmic funk. Furthermore, there is a nu-jazz set built on electronics and loops, melody-first chamber playing, and the programme closes with three deeply contemplative albums. This time, artists from the US, Poland, ...

In Pictures

Stacey Kent with trio at Ladies' Jazz Festival 2026

by Marek J. Śmietański
September 26, 2026

A collection of photos from the Stacey Kent concert at Teatr Muzyczny im. Danuty Baduszkowej in Gdynia on July 24, 2026 featuring Jim Tomlinson, Art Hirahara and Tom Hubbard. New York Voices at Ladies' Jazz Festival 2026 at the same festival. ...

In Pictures

Mollestad / Reid / Warelis / Håker Flaten / Lillinger at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy

by Marek J. Śmietański
September 4, 2026

A collection of photos of the mentors of the International Jazz Platform concert at Wytwórnia in Lodz on July 22, 2026 featuring Hedvig Mollestad Thomassen, Tomeka Reid, Marta Warelis, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and Christian Lillinger. Other photo reports from the same festival: Dust Bunny at The 19th Summer Jazz Academy, QuartSky at The 19th Summer Jazz Academy, The Young Mothers at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy, Robinson Khoury Quatuor Demi-Lune at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy, Äether at the 19th Summer Jazz ...

In Pictures

Brandon Woody's Upendo at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days 2026

by Marek J. Śmietański
September 3, 2026

A collection of photos from the Brandon Woody's Upendo concert at Club Stodola in Warsaw on July 4, 2026 featuring Brandon Woody, Troy Long, Quincy Phillips and Michael Saunders. Other photo reports from the same festival: Tomoki Sanders at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Adrian Younge at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Lizz Wright at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Jowee Omicil at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Mammal Hands at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, Black Lives at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days. ...

In Pictures

Tingvall Trio at Jazz in Ruins 2026

by Marek J. Śmietański
September 2, 2026

A collection of photos from the Tingvall Trio concert at GZUT Model Hall in Gliwice on August 1, 2026 featuring Martin Tingvall, Omar Rodriguez Calvo and Jürgen Spiegel. Other photo reports from the same festival: Sonia Spinello Quartet at Jazz in Ruins 2026, Tal Cohen Quartet featuring John Daversa At Jazz In Ruins 2026. Look for the rest soon... ...

In Pictures

The Young Mothers at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy

by Marek J. Śmietański
August 30, 2026

A collection of photos from the The Young Mothers concert at Wytwórnia in Lodz on July 20, 2026 featuring Jawwaad Taylor, Jason Jackson, Stefan Gonzalez, Jonathan F. Horne, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, Frank Rosaly and sofia salvo (guest appearance). Other photo reports from the same festival: Dust Bunny at The 19th Summer Jazz Academy, QuartSky at The 19th Summer Jazz Academy, Robinson Khoury Quatuor Demi-Lune at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy, Äether at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy. Look ...

In Pictures

Robinson Khoury Quatuor Demi-Lune at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy

by Marek J. Śmietański
August 29, 2026

A collection of photos from the Quatuor Demi-Lune concert at Wytwornia in Lodz on July 20, 2026 featuring Robinson Khoury, Lina Belaïd, Simon Drappier and Eve Risser. Other photo reports from the same festival: Dust Bunny at The 19th Summer Jazz Academy, QuartSky at The 19th Summer Jazz Academy, The Young Mothers at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy, Äether at the 19th Summer Jazz Academy. Look for the rest soon... ...