Kasia Pietrzko Trio »Fragile Ego« & Trish Clowes / NDR Bigband »Radiant Resistance«

• Jazz, Blues, Swing & Chanson

A »fragile ego« does not only have disadvantages. It also sharpens the senses. Kasia Pietrzko’s career was on a good run in 2019. »We’ll probably be listening to her for decades to come,« enthused US magazine Downbeat. Then came the »fog« of the pandemic, as she herself put it. Born in 1994, the pianist studied jazz after her classical training and played with Polish stars such as Adam Baldych and Tomasz Stanko from an early age. She wrote her doctoral thesis on Sergei Prokofiev and his influence on jazz. Such classical colourings are what make her compositions so appealing, which are both powerful and playful. After five years, Pietrzko now returns to the NDR, together with Andrzej Swies and Piotr Budniak and the new album »Fragile Ego«. »I use music to tell stories about my life,« says the 30-year-old, »about the best and the worst things.« Kasia Pietrzko has arrived: on the renowned Warner label and as the first woman in the »Polish Jazz« album series, which has been running for 58 years.


»The best thing about writing for improvised music,« says Trish Clowes, »is that it’s not just about you. You’re creating a template for others.« However, the British saxophonist and composer wants to be surprised by the result. The great Wayne Shorter, who always sought encounters with the unknown, had a particular influence on Clowe’s musical thinking. She was also inspired by the early sounds of Weather Report, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Geri Allen. Clowes was born in Shrewsbury, England, in 1984 and grew up in a musical family: her mother loved Ella Fitzgerald and her father played trumpet in a big band. After studying in London, she established herself as an exquisite tenor saxophonist with an expressive tone. By 2015 at the latest, when she received the BASCA British Composer Award, it was clear that Trish Clowes is a personality who strives to define the framework of her music herself and to rethink the interaction between musicians and audience. The NDR Bigband is already looking forward to this exciting collaboration.

PERFORMERS

Kasia Pietrzko Trio trio

Kasia Pietrzko piano

Andrzej wis bass

Piotr Budniak drums

Trish Clowes composition, saxophone

NDR Bigband jazz ensemble

Geir Lysne director

PROGRAM

Kasia Pietrzko Trio
»Fragile Ego«

Trish Clowes & NDR Bigband
»Radiant Resistance«