We are very sad to read the report the death of MAREK GRELIAK, founder of Jazz Cafe Posk. Posk has become a vital weekend hub in London’s jazz scene. Marek deserves our thanks for his unique contribution to our scene, and for making Posk into such a welcoming venue. He showed us Londoners the virtues of letting this music build vital, vibrant communities, bringing virtues we have been at risk of forgetting, in the selfish rush that London can often become. The following tribute is freely adapted from what appears on the club’s Facebook page in two languages (we have taken an amalgam of the English version and the more personal Polish version) :
“Friends…it is with great sadness and regret that we inform you that Mark Greliak, our dear friend and founder of the Polish Jazz Café in POSK passed away today 23rd September at 11 40am. It is fair to call the club his baby. The creation of the club was his idea, and it was he who put in all the effort to make it work and make it viable, and gave the place his wholehearted attention from the moment it was established onwards.
He battled resolutely over the last few years to overcome his illness and during this difficult time continued to help with the running of the club, and was often seen most Fridays and Saturdays enjoying the music and chatting to friends.
He leaves a void in the hearts of not only the immediate family but also in all of our hearts, because we were all part of his family. We will miss his passion, peace, devotion, strength, and humility.but above all we will miss us Mark- our friend.
We share the grief of his beloved wife Teresa as well as their children.We give thanks for what he did for us, and for all the wonderful music.”
LINKS: Report of the club’s second birthday with Jarek Smietana in 2009
“Poles Together” from 2009
Anita Wardell’s Songsuite from 2013
Interview: Agata Kubiak from 2014
SandyBrownJazz has a good history of the club
Categories: miscellaneous
Guitarist Maciek Pysz has written:
“It came as a shock this morning when I learnt about Marek Greliak's passing. I am truly saddened by this terrible news. I just played at POSK last week and was remembering my beginnings in London and how vital role POSK and Marek played in it.
He was a very generous and open minded man with a wonderful spirit who gave many musicians and audience something which is priceless. He created a wonderful space for artists to perform and audience to experience music.
I will never forget the first gig of my trio at POSK in 2009 and the faith and trust Marek had in me. He was a wonderful man and he should be always remembered.”
A lovely man – a real music lover. What sad news – my heart goes out to all his friends and family – some of whom I was lucky enough to spend a very warm evening with! What a huge loss – but what a wonderful legacy and memories he leaves behind.