Concerts in Japan

We are glad to inform you that at the end of October Anna Maria Jopek is going to Japan to perform together with Makoto Ozone. The performances from the series „Road to Chopin” will be held in the best concert halls in following cities: Okayama (28.10.2010), Kobe (20.10.2010), Tokyo (5.11.2010), Kanazawa (6.11.2010). More details soon.

An extraordinary duet with Bobby McFerrin (August 17th 2010)

AMJ and Bobby McFerrin, NDR Big Band and Gil Goldstein on Warsaw stage on August 17th 2010. Amazement, enthusiasm and admiration… the audience in warsaw’s Congress Hall couldn’t believe their ears when at the end of the concert with NDR Big Band under the baton of Gil Goldstein, Bobby McFerrin said: "Now let's have Anna sing the preludes...".AMJ sang with Bobby short, abstract improvisation and afterwards together with the orchestra she performed Chopin’spreludes. That was the most magical and moving moment of the concert. After the performance AMJ confessed:” Although we sang together before, I never thought that I will have a chance to experience such happiness again. (…) I regret that I cannot go to Cracow with them but I am performing in Lubeca. Next day at dawn AMJ flew to Germany.

AMJ before Sting's concert

Ten years after opening Sting’s concert in March 2010 in Katowice, Anna Maria Jopek will sing on September 20th before Sting’s concert Symphonicities. The concert will be held on the occasion of opening of the football stadium in Poznań which has been prepared for EURO 2012.

AMJ, Makoto Ozone and Gregoire Maret In Palladium (August 16th 2010)

AMJ and mouth organ player Gregoire Maret (Pat Metheny Group, Cassandra Wilson) made their guest appearance during Makoto Ozone’s concert promoting his album Road to Chopin. AMJ together with the outstanding jazz player performed songs Nie Ma Czego and Kujawiak. Later they were joined by Maret in a dynamic piece Cyraneczka.

AMJ, who gave performances in Japanese cities this spring, has just come back from Osaka where she performed three times and was invited by Ozone to appear there again in November during her tour. They will both appear in Poland in November in special project. More details soon.

Summer holiday’s appearances

At the end of July Anna Maria Jopek will be a guest of three festivals. The first one is the Bohema Jazz Festival which is held annually in the biggest Czech cities. Ania is going to appear as a guest in Pilsen on Friday, July 16th 2010. However, we do not forget about Polish audience. The following day AMJ is visiting Niepołomice (near Kraków)where she is going to give a performance during the European Festival of Ballads.

From July 30th to August 1st AMJ together with her band will be in Osaka (Japan) where she is going to participate in three concerts as a part of the Dojima Summer Live festival. More info on the schedule on our website.

"Dzieje Grzechu" (eng. The history of sin) - music video

You are more than welcome to visit our media section where you can find the brand new video to the Dzieje Grzechu -eng.“The history of sin” coming from the album of Polish singer Muniek Staszczyk. Anna Maria Jopek has made her guest appearance in this video. Let us remind you that this piece of music is promoting Muniek’s solo album released in March this year.

Anna Maria Jopek’s guest appearance on Makoto’s Ozone album

Anna Maria Jopek and Gregoire Maret made guest appearance on Makoto Ozone’s new album – “Road to Chopin”. The album will appear on Polish music market on 16 April- almost simultaneously with its Japanese premiere.

The album “Road to Chopin” came into existence in November 2009 and consists of 12 pieces of music in jazz arrangements. Ozone is one of the most outstanding Japanese jazz pianists, who’s been involved in original projects for years. This artist made records and was performing with, among others, Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Branford Marsalis and Pat Metheny.

Anna Maria Jopek together with the phenomenal mouth organ player Gregoire Maret were invited by Ozone to cooperate with him on the newest album. Makoto Ozone met Anna Maria Jopek during her concerts in the famous club called Blue Note in Tokyo last spring where the idea of Chopin’s inspiration was born. The recording sessions in the studio in Warsaw was led by the recognized American sound director and producer Joe Ferl (known for cooperation with such artists as John Mayer, Joss Stone, Christian McBride, Bill Frisell or John Scofield).

The album’s concert premiere will be held in May in Tokyo during the capital city’s most important festival “La Folle Journee” dedicated to Frederic Chopin on the occasion of the composer’s 200th birthday (more details...). Anna Maria Jopek is going to make her first public appearance there alongside the Japanese virtuoso.

Cancer awareness event for women with AMJ

A great opportunity for all women to come and discuss health issues with local health services such as Healthy Communities Collaborative, Community Action on Health, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK and Patient Advice Liaison Service. The event will include information stalls, presentations and questions and answers session.

Special guest will be Anna Maria Jopek, a Polish jazz singer (performing later at The Sage Gateshead) and supporter of the cancer awareness campaign in Poland.

Free tickets for Anna Maria Jopek concert will be drawn.

Time: Wednesday, 2nd June, 12pm-3pm
Venue: The Lit & Phil, 23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE
Admission: free

More information: www.madeinpolandfestival.co.uk

Changes in concerts' dates

In connection with the Smolensk tragedy from April 10th, and national mourning commemorating the President of Polish Republic we would like to inform about rescheduling of the following concerts in Poland

April 12^th – Wodzisław Śląski – concert rescheduled to June 6 2010
April 16^th – Wałbrzych – concert will take place in autumn 2010
April 17^th – Polkowice – concert will take place in autumn 2010
April 18^th – Zielona Góra – concert will take place in autumn 2010

The remaining concerts do not change their dates. The details in CONCERTS section.

Spring Jazz

Anna Maria Jopek is going to perform twice during this year’s Spring Jazz Festival – Zakopane 2010. On Friday 14 May Anna Maria Jopek is going to take part in Nigel Kennedy’s special project devoted to Frederic Chopin’s works whereas the day after that at 9 p.m. she will give her recital with the band. Both performances will be held in the “Sokół“ cinema in Zakopane. Spring Jazz Festival’s concerts will only provide the foretaste before the May performances in London where Ania is going to appear on stage together with Nigel and his guests (Nigel Kennedy’s Chopin Super Group) in Royal Festival Hall on 31 May (3 p.m.). Earlier that day Anna Maria Jopek together with her band will be a guest on Queen Elizabeth Hall’s stage (1p.m.) where she’s going to present her own work.

We cordially invite you to join these events. More information is available in concerts’ section.

Concerts in Canada & USA

At the beginning of March Anna Maria is going to give 4 concerts in North America. She is performing in Toronto (6.03.2010 – Polskie Centrum Cultury, 7.03.2010 The Rose Theatre Brampton), Chicago (13.03.2010- Copernicus Center) and New York (14.03.2010 - Skirball Center for the Performing Arts).

More information in concert’s schedule on our website.

Anna Maria Jopek records with Makoto Ozone

Recently, Anna Maria Jopek has taken part in Makoto Ozone’s recording sessions at Studio S1 in Warsaw. The Japanese artist is known for being the most remarkable jazz pianist in Japan. The project, based on Chopin’s music, has been carried trough by Joe Ferla, the legendary sound director, who has cooperated with such artists like: Barbara Streisand, John Scofield, Clint Eastwood, David Sanborn, Pat Metheny and many more. One of Makoto Ozone’s guest is Gregoire Maret, the harmonica virtuoso, who has worked with Pat Metheny Group, Cassandra Wilson and Marek Napiorkowski. During these recording sessions Anna Maria Jopek has arranged and performed two songs. The album will have its premiere on 15 April 2010.
On the photo: the representative of Universal Music Japan, Makoto Ozone, Joe Ferla and AMJ. Studio S1, Warsaw, 12.11.2009

Anna Maria Jopek & Dominic Miller as guests of Nighthawks

Anna Maria Jopek and the guitarist Dominic Miller (who has worked with Sting and co-written many notable songs with him including 'Shape of My Heart'”) have been invited by the German band called Nighthawks to perform one of the Polish classic standards of popular music. The song was recorded in autumn 2009 and will be released on the next Nighthawks album in spring 2010.

BMW Jazz Club Lisbon Stories - tickets

We are very sorry to inform that all tickets for BMW Jazz Club Lisbon Stories concert in Warsaw have been already sold. Those who are willing to attend one of the Lisbon Stories concert still have the chance to buy a ticket for the concert in Gdańsk and Poznań. Click here for more information.

LISBON STORIES WITH ANNA MARIA JOPEK & SPECIAL GUESTS

After great successes of wonderful meetings with the art of Brazil, after finding common roots with African musicians and after last year performance on one stage with the most remarkable Polish artists, BMW Jazz Club is searching for further challenges and inspirations.

The music of Portugal should not only be identified as legendary Fado - this "blues of the edge of Europe". It is also one and only melting-pot of various influences and traditions. In one of the most beautiful and most poetical cities in the world - Lisbon - can be heard the music of many different countries which have been connected with Portugal for ages. Today the time of colonization is the history, but the artists from Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau or Cape Verde treat Lisbon as their mother land. Their music, though, represents the soul of past and old countries. And this, what happens in exploring many cultures, seems to be the most interesting.

For many years, the permeation of different threads has interested BMW Jazz Club the most and it became their feather in the cap. This year, on LISBON STORIES concerts, we will have the honour to welcome a few marvellous artists from Lisbon.

This year, BMW Jazz Club prepared three concerts in three cities!

7.12.2009 WARSZAWA - KLUB PALLADIUM
8.12.2009 GDAŃSK - KLUB PARLAMENT
9.12.2009 POZNAŃ- Centrum Kongresowo-Dydaktyczne UM

On the stage will perform:
ANNA MARIA JOPEK
YAMI
BETO BETUK
TITO PARIS (only in Warszawa)
Henryk Miśkiewicz
Ernesto Leite
Marito Marques
Marek Napiórkowski
Robert Kubiszyn
Paweł Dobrowolski

SIESTA 5 with Anna Maria Jopek

On 9 October 2009 another “Siesta” album will be available in Polish stores. The fifth part of extremely revered and appreciated by the listeners medley continues the tradition of searching for the most interesting recordings from all over the world. In the introduction Marcin presages that on the album “will appear some new guests, but also the familiar ones from the previous meetings. There is something somehow domestic in these our sjesta sessions, it’s nice. (...) For the first time – and surely for the last time – the lilac ballad night.” As always each recording has its special description and in addition the album is enhanced with marvellous photos by Marcin Kydryński. On the album we can also find the recording of Anna Maria Jopek. This time it is a song “Jakby nic się nie stało” from the maxisingle entitled “Skłamałabym”.

Anna Maria Jopek & Youssou N’Dour together!

On 13 September 2009 in Warsaw Congress Hall Anna Maria Jopek performed as a guest of the legendary concert “The Voice of Africa”. Youssou N’Dour is maybe the most cognoscible artist in so-called “World Music” with the help of his huge smash “7 Seconds Away” and the concerts like Live 8. The Senegalese artist performed as a top star on the Crossroads of Cultures Festival. Before Youssou N’Dour’s performance, on the stage appeared Tcheka – the phenomenal guitarist and vocalist from Cabo Verde band.

Sypka Warszawa (Friable Warsaw)- new video

In the 65th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising outbreak, Anna Maria Jopek performed in the video clip prepared for the composition entitled “Sypka Warszawa” (Friable Warsaw). The lyrics of this poem was written by the Polish poet Miron Białoszewski. The text was edited by Jerzy Bielunas, whereas the music was composed by Mateusz Pospieszalski. The video clip had its premiere on 1st August 2009 at 17:00 (W – hour).

The day before Anna Maria Jopek performed on the concert entitled “Oratorium z Powstania Warszawskiego” (Oratorio from Warsaw Uprising) which took place on Krasińskich Square. Next to Anna Maria Jopek on the stage appeared Stanisława Celińska, Katarzyna Groniec, Alina Janowska, Maciej Maleńczuk, Adam Nowak, Robert Więckiewicz, Mikołaj Woubishet and the youngest generation of singing actors and dancers – the graduates from PWST in Wrocław, Ampla Cameral Choir and Polish Orchestra Sinfonia Iuventus. The stage performance had the form of dramatic oratorio with the participation of the orchestra, choir, soloists and the group of performers creating the stage movement.

The scenario was based on the extracts from “Pamiętnik Powstania Warszawskiego” (The Warsaw Uprising Memoir). The oratorio discusses the tragedy of the fighting city and shows subsequent stages of its agony. The opus takes the form of harrowing narrative which shows people’s nightmare of everyday existence in destroyed and burnt city.
Watch video...

AMJ & Beto - pictures from Dorotowo (Poland), where concert took place on a floating stage in the Wulpińskiego Lake

ANNA MARIA WITH BETO BETUK IN DOROTOWO (Poland)

Anna Maria Jopek will give several concerts in Poland during this holidays. Events will take place in Węgorzewo (Saturday, 25^th July), Ełk (Sunday, 26^th July), Dorotowo (Saturday, 1^st August), Siedlce (Saturday, 22^nd August) and in Końskie (Sunday, 23^rd August). More details of the events can be found in CONCERT section on our website.

It is worth saying that in Dorotowo concert will be joined by Beto Betuk (www.betobetuk.com), with whom AMJ recorded a song called “Niema”. This song was released on the maxisingle “Cisza na skronie, na powieki słońce” and on compilation Siesta 4 - Muzyka Swiata. Those CDs were available only in Poland.

AMJ IN ASIA

Great success in Japan – JazzGazeta was there!

The performances in Blue Note in Tokyo were the last ones from Anna Maria Jopek Asian tour. During these four days and eight concerts in the most prestigious jazz club in the world, AMJ presented the highest level of her musical and vocal talent and she received a tremendous ovation. It is worth mentioning that on each of these eight concerts a different set of songs was played. It was always unique! I had the great honour to attend the last AMJ concert in Blue Note and I must admit that I was totally astonished and delighted. My friend and great violinist Sławek Talacha, who was with me that night said: “There are some moments in my life when I am very proud of being Polish”. And he was right. The Japanese audience reacts spontaneously but with the limit to a sincere applause. This time they screamed with the exhilaration, what in Japan means the truly adoration, not only the simple acceptance. The great sounding and brilliant performance of all musicians (Paweł Dobrowolski on drums, Robert Kubiszyn on bass and Marek Napiórkowski on guitars) made the concert extremely thrilling and unforgettable.

Anna Maria Jopek can be proud. She came back to Poland as a winner. In Blue Note Tokyo there is no place for non-jazz or ordinary artists. This is simply the best jazz club in the world. The fact that all tickets were sold confirmed AMJ’s great success and is the introduction to her developing worldwide career. I would like to thank for making me touched with your beautiful music. You gave me the chance to listen to Polish jazz in Japan – to the great art! Piotr Iwicki.

- Pictures by Marcin Kydryński
- AMJ in Surabaya
- Watch short video from Anna’s concert in Blue Note in Tokyo!
- First day report from Tokyo (in Japanese)
- Read short review from The Jakarta Post

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