Concert Polish – Turkish Jazz Concert | Tribute to Janusz Szprot

Janusz Szrom         v

Sibel Köse                   v

Bogdan Hołownia         p

Wojciech Pulcyn          db

Monika Bulanda           d

This concert, held in memory of Janusz Szprot, the renowned pianist, composer, and arranger who made significant contributions to jazz music in Türkiye and played a key role in nurturing many Turkish jazz artists, features renowned jazz vocalist Sibel Köse accompanied by Janusz Szrom, Polish musicians Bogdan Hołownia and Wojciech Pulcyn, and Monika Bulanda. We would like to thank the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ankara for their contributions and Salata Retro for their venue support.

Janusz Szrom began his professional musical career back in 1994 when he won Second Prize at the International Meetings of Jazz Vocalists in Zamość. He was voted six times Jazz Vocalist of the Year by Jazz Forum monthly (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014) and the recipient of the Gloria Artis Bronze Medal, Janusz Szrom is a composer, arranger and teacher, with a post-doctoral degree in the musical arts.

Sibel Köse, one of Türkiye's leading jazz vocalists and instructors, has been performing as a soloist in various projects and groups ranging from duos to large orchestras in Türkiye and abroad since 1987, and has participated in major festivals and art events.

Bogdan Hołownia, born in Toruń, Poland, works with musicians such as Dave Clark, Skipp Hadden, George Zonc, Larry Kohut, Jeff Stitely, Bronek Suchanek, Grażyna Auguścik, Jerzy Głód, Michał Urbaniak and Urszula Dudziak. In addition to her music research and studies in Poland, she participates in various workshops, trainings and seminars.

Besides Poland, Wojciech Pulcyn has performed at many festivals in the USA, Germany, France, England, Russia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Türkiye, Malaysia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Serbia, Ukraine, Hungary, Belarus, Canada, Egypt and Lebanon. He has also worked with Turkish musicians such as Imer Demirer, Neşet Ruacan, Nilüfer Verdi and continues to work with many artists today.

Monika Bulanda, a musician and multidisciplinary artist born in Krakow, Poland, currently lives in Istanbul. She graduated from the Jazz Drum Department at the Katowice Music Academy in Poland and studied with renowned Polish jazz drummer Kazimierz Jonkisz at the Chopin Jazz School in Warsaw. In 2008, she came to Türkiye at the invitation of American bassist Tony Jones and joined his jazz trio. She is known for her collaborations with leading jazz artists in Türkiye and Poland.

This project was prepared with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye.