Every jazz enthusiast, at least once in his life, should participate in the biggest Polish jazz festival, which is Summer Jazz Festival Kraków.

The series of concerts began in 1996 under the name "Letni Festiwal Jazzowy w Piwnicy pod Baranami", during the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Piwnica pod Baranami. The creator and director of the event is Witold Wnuk. Year by year, the festival expanded its formula, presenting not only everyday concerts in Piwnica pod Baranami, but also concerts taking place in the Philharmonic, the Kraków Opera, Auditorium Maximum, Radio Kraków, Manggha Centre, Kijów Cinema and all jazz clubs in Kraków. Since 2000, concerts and events such as New Orleans Sunday and Jazz Night have also been organized.

Among the leading Polish jazz musicians performing during concerts, there are Adam Makowicz, Tomasz Stańko, Urszula Dudziak, Michał Urbaniak, Zbigniew Namysłowski, Leszek Możdżer and Ewa Bem. Apart from the Polish element of excellence, many foreign jazzmen also appear on the stages, such as Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Bobby McFerrin, Jean Luc Ponty, Leny White, Lee Konitz, Brandford Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Maria Schneider, John Scofield, Richard Bona, Eddie Henderson, Hamiett Bluiet, Nigel Kennedy, Larry Coryell, Rashied Ali, Ricky Ford, John Abercrombie and Nils Landgren. Since 2001, the "Baranek jazzowy" award has been granted to outstanding jazz artists connected with the history of jazz in Kraków and Piwnica pod Baranami.

Concerts (announced so far)

• 7 July – Mike Verba All Stars (feat. Michał Urbaniak, Wayne Escoffery, Ronnie Burrage, Nimrod Speaks, Balay) at Radio Kraków
• 17 July – Marcus Miller at ICE Kraków
• 23 July – Maciej Obara Quartet at Kraków Philharmonic Hall
• 24 July – Yellowjackets at Manggha Museum
• 30 July – Billy Cobham’s Fusion Night feat. Adam Bałdych, “Adzik” Sendecki & Linley Marthe at Kraków Philharmonic Hall
• 12 August – Michel Camilo at Kraków Philharmonic Hall

Programme

(Click to enlarge!)

Piwnica pod Baranami

Harris Piano Jazz Bar

Globus Music Club

Alchemia

Solo Piano Week at Kraków Philharmonic Hall

Potocki Palace

Krakow Spiritual Music Days

Source: press release