A new Festival in London!
It’s always exciting to witness – and capture through my lens – a fresh addition to the city’s vibrant music scene. The inaugural POSK Festival of Jazz Voice at Jazz Café POSK brought together an impressive line-up of musicians, uniting vocalists from diverse jazz traditions under one roof. The festival kicked off with incredible energy, and there’s hope it will become a cherished annual tradition.
The audience’s passion for vocal jazz was evident, and I was glad to see Jazz Café POSK so packed! Over two days, the festival drew an enthusiastic crowd, eager to soak in the magic of live jazz. As a photographer, it was the perfect event to capture unforgettable moments. Festivals like these provide a special opportunity to showcase the full range of vocal styles and the deep emotions they convey.
I’ll begin my photo review with the final performance of the second day. Perhaps because it was the last musical act of the festival, it really stands out in my memory. It was my first time seeing, hearing, and photographing Emma Smith, and I was absolutely blown away! She’s not only a remarkable vocalist and a stunning presence, but also an incredible actress. Her set felt more like a theatrical performance, with each song bringing its own distinct mood and energy.
Her connection with the talented pianist Jamie Safir was incredible! You can see it in the photos—their mutual understanding and chemistry were undeniable.
Another amazing musician who created magic on stage was Alice Zawadzki. She introduced her new trio, featuring pianist Bruno Heinen and bassist Tom Mason. I’ll be honest: the lighting at Jazz Café POSK is always a challenge for photographers, but some musicians truly radiate light, and Alice is definitely one of them.
Photo copyright Tatiana Gorilovsky
Norma Winstone is one of the most renowned jazz voices in the UK, and I’m thrilled she was met with such warmth and admiration! She closed the first day of the festival with her set titled Inspirations, accompanied by an exceptional quartet: Nikki Iles on piano, Mark Lockheart on saxophones, and Steve Watts on double bass. The songs she performed were those that inspired her at various points in her life and held great significance.
The voice of Heidi Vogel is truly unforgettable, possessing remarkable depth and timbre. I aimed to capture the magic, strength, and beauty of her performance in my shots. I was delighted to discover that the array of glasses and cans on a nearby table created beautiful circles and glares, framing Heidi’s face.
Rouhangeze is a remarkable treasure on the London jazz scene. She beautifully blends her Mauritian traditional music with jazz improvisation. But her performance was not a monologue; it was an extraordinary conversation between her voice and the piano, passionately played by Tomasz Bura. It was a brilliant performance that showcased a stunning range of emotions!
Sam Merrick was the only male vocalist in the beautiful array of women’s voices during the festival, and he brought a beautiful and sweet voice, along with a distinctive charm, to the stage. I was impressed by the way he presented songs from the Great American Songbook; you could hear that he cherished the jazz tradition while adding his own fresh and modern twist.
John Turville on piano, Jakub Cywinski on double bass, and Lester Ridout on drums provided a captivating foundation, adding depth and richness to the performance.
To close this brief photo review, I want to highlight the set that opened the first day of the festival: “Polish Jazz Voices Spotlight!” I wish I could showcase a portrait of each vocalist and all the talented band members—John Crawford on piano, Jakub Cywiński on double bass, and Lester Ridout on drums—but due to space limitations, I’m sharing one picture that captures all seven lovely Polish vocalists: Marta Mathea Radwan, Marta Gornitzka, Anita Lazińska, Marta Carillon, Agata Kubiak, Magdalena Supel, and Małgorzata Janek. Each has their own vocal style and personality, and I hope to see each of them perform solo gigs at Jazz Café POSK someday, giving the audience a chance to fully embrace their artistry.
I’m also glad this photo features the festival’s founder, the incredible Tomasz Furmanek, who envisioned this festival some time ago and brilliantly brought it to life this year. I hope the POSK Festival of Jazz Voice at Jazz Café POSK becomes a wonderful tradition in the London jazz scene, uniting more and more amazing vocalists in the years to come!
Friday 4 October 2024: THE POSK FESTIVAL OF JAZZ VOICE! Day 1: “Polish Jazz Voices Spotlight”; Alice Zawadzki Jazz Trio; Norma Winstone Quartet “Inspirations…
Saturday 5 October 2024: THE POSK FESTIVAL OF JAZZ VOICE! Day 2: Rouhangeze; Sam Merrick, Heidi Vogel; Emma Smith Quartet
One Response
Nice article and the photographs are enticing. Wish we were there.