Kociński/Dys/ Zaczek/ Dobrowolski

The first evening of the Blue Note Poznań Competition 2026 auditions will open a concert of jurors. Outstanding musicians will combine traditional, acoustic jazz with electronics, presenting original compositions full of virtuosity and fresh arrangements.

Band composition: Maciej Kocin Kociński — sax/EWI Krzysztof Dys — keyboards Piotr Żaczek — bass guitar Paweł Dobrowolski — drums

Maciej Kocin Kociński is the leader of Soundcheck Quartet and Kocin Kociński Trio. He teaches jazz saxophone at ZSM and AM in Poznań. In 2017 he obtained the title of Doctor of Musical Arts, and in 2024 he received a habilitation. Winner of many group and individual awards at international jazz competitions; three times nominated for Fryderyk; winner of the Young Positivist award; awarded with state awards for merits to Polish culture. Recognized session musician with a track record of around 50 albums recorded with artists representing the most diverse musical genres.

Krzysztof Dys — jazz pianist, composer and doctor of musical arts, assistant professor at the Academy of Music in Poznań. He released his own albums Toys (2016) and LEGATO (2022), collaborated with, among others, Adam Bałdych, Paolo Fresu, Monika Borzy and Henryk Miśkiewicz. He also creates music for theatre and film, including the award-winning Historiae vivae (2023). Winner of many piano competitions, including the Grand Prix “Jazz on the Odra” and awards at the Warsaw Jazz Pianist Contest and the Skriabin competition in Paris.

Piotr Żaczek — bassist, composer and music producer, member of the Poluzjanci band and one of the most active Polish session musicians. He took part in the recording of more than 200 albums, collaborating with the leading Polish music scene, including Kayah, Ewa Bem, Edyta Górniak, Mietek Szcześniak, Natalia Kukulska and Smolik. He has also toured with foreign artists such as Gordon Haskell, Dean Brown, Didier Lockwood and José Carreras. As a leader and composer, he released two original albums: Mutru (2006) and Balboo (2009).

Paweł Dobrowolski — drummer, doctor of musical art and assistant professor at the Academy of Music in Katowice. He participated in the recording of more than 70 discs and music for series and television programs. He has collaborated with Anna Maria Jopek, Michal Urbaniak, Urszula Dudziak, Richard Bona and Jeff Beck, performing on prestigious world stages such as the Royal Albert Hall or Blue Note in Tokyo. The three-time Fryderyk Laureate, who has been awarded many times by Jazz Forum and Perkusista magazine, also conducts pedagogical activities and jazz workshops.

After the concert, we invite to the Jam Session not only the participants of the competition, but all willing musicians, and lovers of improvised music — to the audience!

Both events will take place as part of the Blue Note Poznań Competition — a competition for young jazz bands. The event was held annually from 2014 to 2022 and returned to the stage last year after a two-year hiatus. In this edition, for the 12th time, we will hear in Poznań the most talented artists of the young generation.