On Saturday, June 21, the 2nd Greenpoint Jazz Festival took place in the concert hall of the Polish-Slavic Center at 177 Kent Street. The second edition of the event gathered a full house, proving to be a success both in terms of attendance and artistic performance. The entire event was also financed by generous sponsors. The strategic sponsor, The Perecman Firm – Mariusz Śniarowski, donated a drum set.
The 2nd Greenpoint Jazz Festival featured the following bands and musicians: Krzysztof Medyna and Andrzej Winnicki (Breakwater/WM Project), Margo Staniszewska, Paweł Ignatowicz Trio, and Daniel Sky with Marcin Steczkowski.
The festival began with Jakub Polaczyk welcoming the guests and artists. Jakub is the coordinator of the John Paul II Senior Club in Manhattan and he led the entire event. The Center’s authorities during the Festival were represented by: Agnieszka Granatowska – executive director of CPS and the originator and organizer of the 2nd Greenpoint Jazz Festival and Zbigniew Solarz – vice president of this institution. The newly appointed Marshal of the Greenpoint Contingent Iwona Giernicki Hartley and her husband Eric were present in the hall, who in a short speech invited everyone to this year’s Pulaski Parade.
All the Polish artists who appeared on the guest stage at the Polish-Slavic Center that evening are artists who are already well-known for their musical achievements, and not only among the Polish diaspora. Apart from the musical style they perform, they have one more thing in common. Although they were all born in Poland, they have been living and developing their careers in the United States for years. The opportunity to see and hear so many renowned artists in one place is certainly a great treat for jazz lovers. It is no wonder that the festival audience turned up on Saturday evening, filling the hall to the last seat. During the festival, one could also admire a whole galaxy of excellent musicians accompanying the Polish performers.
The first to appear on stage was guitarist Paweł Ignatowicz with his trio. He was accompanied on stage by: Matt Penman (double bass) and Mark Whitfield Jr. (drums). The young but already very recognized artist presented the audience mainly with his excellent compositions, receiving warm applause for his performance.
Next, Małgorzata Staniszewska appeared on stage, performing songs from her debut album entitled “Ashes And Diamonds” and several jazz standards. The performance of the lively vocalist with a unique voice was appreciated by the audience, who rewarded the artist with long applause. During the concert, she was accompanied by: Dano Boente (piano), Stacy Dillard (saxophone) and Diallo House (bass).
The performance of the doyens of the New York jazz scene, saxophonist Krzysztof Medyna and pianist Andrzej Winnicki, the band WM Project, was met with a truly enthusiastic reception. The musicians presented both their own songs and several of their own interpretations of songs by The Beatles. It is no wonder that the audience clapped their hands and sometimes their feet wanted to dance. This was jazz of the highest order, but the musicians from WM Project have already accustomed the audience to this level. At the Festival in the Center, the band will perform in its permanent line-up: Andrzej Winnicki (keyboards), Krzysztof Medyna (saxophone), Michał Winnicki (drums), Jeff Dingler (double bass).
The trumpeter Daniel Sky Szczepański and multi-instrumentalist Marcin Steczkowski introduced a completely different mood to the audience, presenting true musical artistry and a spectacle based on the art of improvisation. It was a beautiful and atmospheric respite at the end of the Festival, which can already be safely called one of the best regular jazz events in Brooklyn.
After the Festival they said:
Agnieszka Granatowska – executive director of CPS and at the same time the originator and organizer of the 2nd Greenpoint Jazz Festival
I am extremely pleased that during the festival real jazz gems appeared on the stage and what is more, the audience appreciated it, which came to the 2nd Greenpoint Jazz Festival in such large numbers. The coordinator of this year’s event was Marcin Żurawicz and one thing is certain, without the great commitment of everyone, both the organizers and the musicians, we would not have been able to meet in such a wonderful group. The opportunity to see and hear so many renowned artists in one place was certainly a great treat for jazz lovers and, of course, for me. The entire event was helped to finance by generous sponsors. We also had a strategic sponsor, The Perecman Firm – Mariusz Śniarowski, who funded a drum set for us, for which we are very grateful. I bow low to all the volunteer employees of CPS who helped sell tickets and served the bar.
Paweł Ignatowicz
I am pleasantly surprised by the warm and pleasant atmosphere during the concert. The turnout was high, which only shows that people are hungry for music and artistic events of a high standard. Especially since there is not much happening musically in the Polish district. I am also glad that many Americans came to the Festival. It is good that such initiatives are being created in the Center.
Daniel “Sky” Szczepański
I really enjoyed playing together with Marcin. I think that all the performers who appeared on stage tonight were really interesting in terms of music. I am glad that I was able to be a part of this event and that the audience was also great. I would like to thank the Center authorities for inviting me to the Festival.
Jacek Kunikowski from Staten Island – Festival viewer
As you can see, you don’t have to go to Manhattan to Blue Note or Birdland to listen to jazz at the highest level. For me, it was a real musical feast and every dish was delicious. It is great that the Center organizes something like this. I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to the next edition of this event.
Sponsors:
Marek Wójcicki Markowa Apteka
The Perecman Firm – Mariusz Śniarowski
Carpex, Inc.
Eddie’s Refrigeration Incorporated
Glendale Electrical Contracting
Ted Wozniak
Michał Siwiec
Robert Chibowski
Start Elevator LLC
Driscoll Foods
Maven Construction Corp.
AMN Corporation
Semper Omni
Victoria Consulting & Development
Pulaski Association of Business & Professional Men
Monika Bolkun
Bella’s Pierogies
Marek Gerszewski
Marcin Zurawicz
Big Orange Expediting, Inc.
Joanna Kurdziel
Katarzyna Stolarczyk
Natalia Pruszko
Agieszka Nowiński
Karczma
Author: MZ
Photos: Marcin Żurawicz
