Joanna Duda Photo Credit: Monika S. Jakubowska

Monika Jakubowska writes: 

 Their YouTube channel has had well over a million views, they are followed by thousands on social media and their album Polka, released on the Polish label Agora, went platinum. They are officially a hot Polish export and the way they connect with their audience feels completely organic. Last Friday 21 September 2018 the Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet played a very successful gig in London’s Jazz Cafe with a new, expanded version of the album: Polka Worldwide Deluxe Edition (Whirlwind Recordings).

The club was packed mostly with young people who enthusiastically watched the Quintet combining tradition and modernity, constantly transcending the borders of so-called classical jazz.

Watching the audience pulsate with Mazolewski’s music made me think of growing popularity of jazz among young generation. The new jazz scene is beautifully fertile, bursts with freshness and lacks in prejudice in its search for the ultimate truth. The Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet really does have it all.

I had better stop writing – I’m not a writer but a photographer (which I must say is a completely different creature) and instead of writing, I shall be delighted to show you what I saw:

L-R: Qba Janicki – drums, Marek Pospieszalski – tenor saxophone Wojtek Mazolewski-double bass, Joanna Duda-piano, Oskar Török-trumpet Photo Credit: Monika S. Jakubowska

Wojtek Mazolewski approaching the club Photo credit: Monika S. Jakubowska

Marek Pospieszalski Photo credit: Monika S. Jakubowska

Oskar Török Photo Credit: Monika S. Jakubowska

Qba Janicki Photo credit: Monika S. Jakubowska

Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet and audience Photo credit: Monika S. Jakubowska

LINK: Polka Worldwide Deluxe Edition is on Whirlwind Recordings