Jazz Chokers 2026

We invite you to the next edition of Zaduszek Jazz — a unique and atmospheric event that has been part of the calendar of the most important jazz events in the region for years. This time, piano and wind instruments will reign on the stage of the Concert Hall of the Zieliński Palace. Musical impressions will be provided by Brass Federacja and Włodek Pawlik!

Brass Federation — is a group of excellent brass instrumentalists, referring in their work to the traditions of New Orleans brass bands. The founder is Piotr Wróbel, a trombonist, a suzaphonist and a composer, who brought together his excellent friends-drummers to this formation. The band performs both rock-pop-reggae-funk hits, as well as plays and trumpets of their own — compositions full of fire and power. Percussion has been added to the brass band, in order to enhance the pulsation and dynamism necessary for this type of music.

Brass Federation has released four albums: “Go, Go, To Be On Time!” , “Poniatowski Mosteczek”, “Narkotyki” (together with Jan Emil Młynarski) and the latest (2026) “Hot 9”.

Włodek Pawlik is a world-famous jazz pianist and composer born in Kielce, the only Grammy winner in the history of Polish jazz (for his album “Night in Calisia”) in the category “The Best Jazz Large Ensemble” (Los Angeles 2014). His albums reach the status of gold and platinum records in the market. The CD “Night in Calisia” was awarded Double Platinum status. On the other hand, the DVD album “Night in Calisia Live at the Congress Hall in Warsaw 2014" was awarded a Platinum Disc.

A distinctive feature of Pawlik's musical language is a unique, original ability to synthesize various musical genres. Włodek Pawlik is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding contemporary masters of musical collage. His record includes 47 original albums, including “Włodek Pawlik Trio/Standards”, “Włodek Pawlik — Łukasz Pawlik Duo”, “Włodek Pawlik Trio/Moniuszko — Polish Jazz”, “Włodek Pawlik Trio/Anhelli”, “Turtles”/Włodek Pawlik Quartet feat. Randy Brecker” — including 7 solo albums, including “Songs Without Words”, “Grand Piano” and “Quasi Total”, to which the pianist often refers during solo recitals. He is also the author of numerous soundtracks for feature films and documentaries, television theater productions, operas, ballet performances, theatrical performances and radio plays. He has collaborated with such outstanding jazz musicians as Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, Arturo Sandoval, Billy Hart, Tom Kennedy, Richie Cole, Rufus Reid, Paul Wertico, Scott Hamilton, Sal Nestico, Herb Geller, Hans Hartman, Steve Hackett (Genesis), Janusz Muniak, Ula Dudziak, Zbigniew Wegehaupt, Marek Bałata, Leszek Stądło, as well as with pop stars, including Margaret, Kayah, Grzegorz Markowski, Pectus, Marcin Wyrostek, Justyna Steczkowska, or the Golec uOrkiestra ensemble.

For 20 years he has been a lecturer at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, where he teaches Improvisation. In 2023 he received the title of Professor from the hands of the President of the Republic of Poland.