17th November, Jazz Cafe POSK
*Concert included in the official program of the EFG London Jazz Festival 2023!*
The London based Quartet was formed in 2016. Krzysztof’s goal was to find musicians open to create a fresh and original sound within a very common band frame – a Quartet.
For his fifth, soon to be released album as a leader, Krzysztof Urbański presents a new acoustic quartet that naturally blends melodic rhapsody, rhythmic structures within the tradition of jazz, world, and classical music.
The leader says: “all four musicians are exceptional instrumentalists and improvisers. Watching them exploring new musical territories can be a very memorable experience”.
Krzysztof Urbański is a multi-award-winning jazz saxophonist, composer, educator, and producer, recommended by ‘The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz’ along with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter as one of the most interesting saxophone voices of his generation.
During his 20-year career he has become well known for taking part in concerts, festivals, jazz competitions, masterclasses and workshops at venues including The World Saxophone Congress in Croatia, Asian Saxophone Congress in Shanghai/China, London Jazz Festival, Chicago Jazz Showcase, Gent Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, UCLA in Los Angeles, and The Royal Northern College of Music.
As a recording artist he has 5 albums under his belt: (2008) ‘Urbanski Quartet Live at Hoeilaart Jazz Festival’, (2010) ‘Urbanski’, (2013) ‘The Art of Three’, (2014) ‘Urban Jazz Society’ and (2020) ‘Children of The Light’. He has appeared as a guest artist on more than 100 albums crossing all musical genres.
John Turville has developed a reputation as ‘one of the leading jazz pianists of his generation’ (Ian Mann). After studying at Cambridge and the Guildhall, he rapidly began working as a performer and composer on the European scene.
John has recorded three albums as a leader, winning multiple awards including MOJO’s Jazz Album of the Year for his second album ‘Conception’. His debut album ‘Midas’ also won ‘Best Album’ in the Parliamentary Awards 2010 and the ‘Promoters Choice award 2009. John conducts and writes for the E17 large ensemble and curated the Walthamstow jazz festival. He also co-leads the jazz sextet Solstice, who have recently released their second album on the Ubuntu label, as well as his own tango quintet ‘Almagro Ensemble’, performing Astor Piazzolla, Diego Schissi and original compositions.
As an in-demand sideman, John regularly tours Europe and Asia. He has recorded over 30 albums with many established jazz and tango artists, including Tim Garland, Yuri Goloubev, Alan Barnes/Tony Kofi quintet, the BBC Singers, Thomas Gould, Will Todd, Ant Law, Transtango, the London Tango Orchestra, El Ultimo Tango and the Matt Ridley Quartet. Recent engagements include Kings Place, Musig im Pflgidach, Jazz Nod Odra festival, Festival Musicos do Mundo, the Katara European Jazz Festival (Doha), Southern Soul (Montenegro), and the Leipzig Tango Festival.
Award-winning, London-based jazz bassist, composer and arranger Misha Mullov-Abbado is a musician who combines great imagination with raw talent and a clear vision.
A BBC New Generation Artist and with three critically acclaimed albums on Edition Records under his name, his most recent offering Dream Circus showcases his ‘melodic gift’ (John Fordham, The Guardian) and ability to masterfully combine beautifully crafted compositions with free-spirited improvisation. Written over a three-year period the album, produced by fellow Edition Records bassist and bandleader Jasper Høiby (Phronesis), marks the arrival of an artist who has been on a voyage of self-discovery.
His aforementioned collective features some of the most exhilarating and sought-after young musicians in London and was formed during Misha’s final year at Royal Academy of Music. An experienced bandleader and versatile sideman, Misha regularly performs all over the UK and around the world, including at top London venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, the Vortex, King’s Place and Royal Albert Hall.
His vast musical travels have led him to work alongside inspiring musicians such as Alice Zawadzki, Dave O’Higgins, Tim Garland, Viktoria Mullova, Enzo Zirilli, Sam Lee, Rob Luft, Paul Clarvis, Stan Sulzmann and Nessi Gomes.
Billy Pod is an award-winning Greek drummer/musician based in London.His album “Drums to Heal Society” that was released in 2019 has not just given Vasileios Podaras (aka Billy Pod) a prominent position among the new generation of drummers internationally but has also demonstrated his compelling skills as a composer and music ensemble director.
In 2019 he was selected in the list of ‘Top 10 new and upcoming drummers’ by French ‘Βatterie’ magazine and he has performed at the Tribeca Performing Arts Centre in New York as a finalist of the Made In New York International Jazz Competition. He left Athens to relocate in London in 2020 and since then, he has already worked with a number of leading jazz artist in the London Jazz Scene: Jim Mullen (album recording in London), Rob Luft (BBC NGA recording session at Maida Vale Studios), Dave O’ Higgins, Mornington Lockett, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Gilad Atzmon among others.
His second official album entitled ‘Quintessence’, released in November 2022, is a reflection on the intellectual nature of humanity in modern society.
Line up:
Krzysztof Urbański – saxophone
John Turville – piano
Misha Mullov-Abbado – bass
Billy Pod – drums
Video 1 (“Giant Steps”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0GtEJ4EvaM&t=1s
Video 2 (“April Eighteenth”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnSeNwTmZ4g
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