Still Singing

Acclaimed artists appearing at beautiful settings in Kraków, with music and joy at heart. Perfect listening – and no-one told stories quite like Zbigniew Wodecki!

He always had a smile on his face and it seemed that he was always in good spirits. He also had an insatiable appetite for new sounds. Zbigniew Wodecki intertwined different styles and emotions with the greatest ease. We will discover them anew during the second Wodecki Twist Festiwal (7-9 June).

Let’s start by recalling that “the boy with the violin” also played the trumpet, as revealed at the opening concert at the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre (7 June). The star of the evening will be the American trumpeter Chris Botti, who – just like Wodecki – has a great talent for combining pop with jazz. He is joined on stage by Kayah, Anna Maria Jopek, Michael “Patches” Steward and the Piotr Wojtasik Quintet; as well as Wodecki’s own compositions, the programme includes selected themes from works by Tomasz Stańko. The repertoire of the artist who passed away last year is also explored with the “Chameleon” Project. On 8 June, the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre welcomes his friends and collaborators including Wojciech Waglewski, Apostolis Anthimos and Piotr Wyleżoł. On the same day, ICE Kraków presents a surprise-filled programme Seize the Day featuring Wodecki’s compositions and his favourite standards performed by acclaimed guests: the Canadian king of swing Matt Dusk, the charismatic British soul and gospel vocalist Jnr Robinson and myriad stars of the Polish stage, including Dawid Podsiadło, Urszula Dudziak, Brodka, Anna Maria Jopek, Aga Zaryan and Alicja Majewska. On 9 June we return to the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre to focus on Wodecki’s other passion with the concert premiere of the album Wodecki Jazz performed by the Piotr Baron Quintet.

The festival also includes numerous outdoor events. On 7 and 8 June, musicians including Ania Rusowicz, Sławek Uniatowski and Kuba Badach moor at the Music Island at Forum Przestrzenie. Accompanying events include a choir performance at the Rynek Główny and plenty of attractions for kids at the Kraków Cultural Centre. (Bartosz Suchecki, “Karnet”)