"one of the most exciting jazz vocalists boldly fronting a band today. a true original!"
-The New York City Jazz Record
Grzegorz Karnas was born in Upper Silesia, Poland, to a family devoid of musical traditions. He has worked with Poland’s jazz legends as well as top-line artists of Europe’s jazz scene. In 2006 and 2007 he was awarded Grand Prix of jazz vocal competitions in Bruxelles and Crest, France. His being noticed by juries, journalists and audiences gave way to his band’s touring in many corners of the world. Since 2008 Karnas has been the spiritus movens of Intercultural Gathering for Creativity, Expression and Music “Voicingers” – an event contributing to both promotion of jazz singers at the very beginning of their international careers as well as music education for nonprofessionals.
His album under the title “KARNAS” was released in 2011 by the Slovak label Hevhetia and his live performances in Budapest became successful releases under the Hungarian label BMC Records as AUDIO BEADS (2012) and VANGA (2014) making Karnas a distinctive element of European jazz scene.
Karnas' bands, in different line-up configurations, are far removed from the classical paradigm. The group likes drawing on the trance-like nature of ostinatos and the abstraction of modal playing, developed on the basis of simple melodic themes. A brief, general outline of GRZEGORZ KARNAS FORMULA in concert would be acoustic, energy-filled and groovily hypnotic music-making with a hefty dose of improvisation.
Vocal: Grzegorz Karnas
Sax: Radek Nowicki
Double Bass: Alan Wykpisz
Drums: Grzegorz Masłowski