‘WELCOME BACK, ADAM’ – this is how the second concert in the jubilee season of the Kalisz Philharmonic was titled to celebrates it's 50th anniversary in the artistic period of 2024/2025. On Friday, September 20, 2024, the legendary jazz pianist Adam Makowicz performed along with the Kalisz Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Ruben Silva. This concert referred to the musician's traditional performances with symphony orchestras. Indeed, years ago Makowicz was a multiple soloist with world orchestras and chamber ensembles that included the National Symphony of Washington, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the National Philharmonic in Warsaw to name a few.
Adam Makowicz is regarded as one of the greatest Polish jazz musicians, who is famous for his freedom of improvised playing. During his time in the United States, he shared the stage with some of the greatest jazzmen, including Benny Goodman, Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, Al Foster, Jack DeJohnett, Charlie Haden and Herbie Hancock. In Poland, he has performed with Tomasz Stańko, Andrzej Kurylewicz, Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski, Zbigniew Namysłowski, Urszula Dudziak and Leszek Możdżer. He has recorded over sixty albums and performed countless times in the most important concert halls around the world.
Friday's concert marks the Maestro's fourth performance with the Kalisz Philharmonic, who previously performed in Kalisz in the 1991/92, 1992/93 and 2008 seasons.
It should also be noted that Adam Makowicz was a frequent guest on the stage of the International Jazz Pianist Festival in Kalisz, where he performed/played as many as nine times in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1996, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2020 and in 2022.
It should also be noted that Adam Makowicz was a frequent guest on the stage of the International Jazz Pianist Festival in Kalisz, where he performed/played as many as nine times in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1996, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2020 and in 2022.
The concert ‘WELCOME BACK, ADAM’ began with an hour-long performance by the Maestro with the Kalisz Philharmonic, during which four compositions by Adam Makowicz could be heard that comprised of Composition No. 20 - Sopot 100, Early June In The Central Park, A Song From My Past and Living High In Manhattan. As well as two pieces by Fryderyk Chopin, Scherzo in E major Op. 54 and Prelude in A major Op. 28 No. 7. After a short technical break that was necessary due to a stage rearrangement, Adam Makowicz presented a solo recital. The pianist revealed his artistry and virtuosity, playing compositions by Jerome Kern (All The Things You Are), Duke Ellington (Don't Get Around Much Anymore), Antonín Dvořák (Humoresque), Hoagy Carmichael (Small Fry), George Gershwin (Fascinating Rhythm), or in his own composition Lullaby For Georgia Clover (written for his granddaughter).
Adam Makowicz's concert ended with a thunderous standing ovation from the audience in Kalisz, as well as the awarding of an honorary membership of the Association of Polish Piano Tuners to the Maestro.
It is significant that the Maestro played the entire concert on a concert piano Arnold Fibiger M-280 from 1938, that was produced in the Piano and Pianin Factory in Kalisz "Arnold Fibiger” Piano Factory in Kalisz. Adam Makowicz - as he emphasised several times during the performance - was enchanted by the sound and quality of this historic instrument, which in his opinion can compete with the best pianos in the world.
‘WELCOME BACK, ADAM’ - 20.09.2024 - Kalisz