Icon of Polish jazz Zbigniew Namysłowski has died at the age of 82

Polish radio have reported the death of the alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader Zbigniew Namysłowski who has passed away at the age of 82. An icon in Poland for his appearances on such albums as Komeda's Astigmatic in the 60s and his own …

Published: 8 Feb 2022. Updated: 2 years.

Polish radio have reported the death of the alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader Zbigniew Namysłowski who has passed away at the age of 82. An icon in Poland for his appearances on such albums as Komeda's Astigmatic in the 60s and his own classic albums such as 1975's Kujaviak Goes Funky Namysłowski began as a jazz musician in the mid-50s initially playing cello, piano and trombone and appearing at the Jazz Festival in Sopot in 1957. Later he switched to alto and moved away from trad jazz to more modern styles. His album Lola (1964) was the first album recorded by a Polish jazzman to gain an international release. As a composer his best known tunes include 'Jasmin Lady' and 'Western Ballad'. In his career he also experimented in fusing Polish folkloric styles with modern jazz and also arranged Mozart for jazz combo.

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Jo Harrop tour dates coming up

Following on from one of last year's best jazz vocals album releases Jo Harrop tours The Heart Wants with dates coming up including: 12th February – Hampstead Jazz Club, London 19th February – The Bear Club, Luton 25th April – Ronnie Scott’s, London

Published: 7 Feb 2022. Updated: 2 years.

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Following on from one of last year's best jazz vocals album releases Jo Harrop tours The Heart Wants with dates coming up including:

12th February – Hampstead Jazz Club, London

19th February – The Bear Club, Luton

25th April – Ronnie Scott’s, London

12th May – Hoochie Coochie, Newcastle

14th May – Hexham Jazz Festival, Hexham

17th May – Hare and Hounds, Birmingham

19th May – Matt & Phreds Jazz Club, Manchester

21st May – Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham

22nd May – Watford Jazz Junction Festival

29th June – Pizza Express (Soho), London

10th July – Swanage Jazz Festival, Swanage

On the record with Jo was one of the world's most iconic bassists and bandleaders Christian McBride who joined her on a number of tracks led off by the very bluesily-soulful 'The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants', McBride a stately presence, and on 'All Too Soon' and 'Wise Words'. The great Welsh trumpeter Andy Davies was also on the record adding lots of characterful elaboration as is ex-Jeff Beck UK jazz piano icon Jason Rebello who like McBride has also worked extensively with Sting. Above all else the quality of Jo's originals are the icing on the cake of the Lateralize release. Jo adds a natural presence live especially in a jazz club setting so hearing her live is that extra active ingredient.