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Bodek Janke

Bodek Janke is one of today´s most sought after drummers and percussionists of the international jazz and world music scenes. His unique and outstanding way of playing the drums, Indian tabla and various percussion instruments has given him opportunities to collaborate with Yo-Yo Ma, Lars Danielsson, Bill Evans, Bobo Stenson, Leszek Możdżer, Gilad Hekselman, Nuria Rial, the WDR, NDR & HR Radio Bigbands, Jasper van´t Hof, Kinan Azmeh, Kristjan Randalu, Petros Klampanis, Tarek Yamani, the Turtle Island & Atom String Quartets, and many others.

Dubbed as ´a master of many dialects´ by New York´s drum legend John Riley, Bodek´s distinctive sound was recorded on more than 200 albums as a sideman. He has also recorded 10 albums under his own name.

His current quartet, SONG, with its first released recording in 2019 has already spread enthusiasm among international audiences; with the second album, SONG2 to be released in February 2020. It features the Namibian vocalist Shishani Vranckx, Estonian pianist Kristjan Randalu, British bassist Philip Donkin, the Atom String Quartet from Poland, plus guest appearances of saxophonist Bill Evans, guitarist Gilad Hekselman and trumpeter Sebastian Studnitzky.

Besides his travels and work as a musician, Bodek writes music for large ensembles & orchestras. A snippet from his first symphonic piece The Mantra Suite was premiered and critically acclaimed in March 2019 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Source: Stan Kelberg

Awards

In 2008 he was awarded both the Jazzpreis Baden-Württemberg, Germany’s highest endowed award for jazz musicians and the German Records Critics’ Award. In 2010 he was voted best soloist of the year at the Neuer Deutscher Jazzpreis competition in Mannheim and he won the 1st prize at the 4th International Bucharest Jazz Competition. Bodek was scholarship holder of the Baden-Württemberg Arts Foundation, the Kunststiftung Baden- Württemberg, and the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead in Washington. In 2015 he was awarded with the renowned world- music distinction RUTH, at the TFF Rudolstadt Music Festival, as a part of the multicultural project Eurasians Unity.


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Album Review

Vasko Atanasovski: Phoenix

Read "Phoenix" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


Phoenix captures the voice of one of Eastern Europe's most acclaimed and creative musical ensembles, the Adrabesa Quartet founded and led by Slovenian maestro Vasko Atanasovski, and amplifies this unique voice throughout MoonJune Records' global distribution network. Phoenix thus demonstrates that the globalization of jazz hasn't muted the strong, perhaps even essential, regional accents in its overall voice. Founded in 2005, the Adrabesa Quartet on Phoenix features a somewhat unusual though colorful instrumental lineup. Founder and leader Atanasovski ...

6
Album Review

Adrabesa Quartet: Phoenix

Read "Phoenix" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Slovenian saxophonist Vasko Atanasovski has a gift for marrying seemingly disparate sounds, styles and cultures, as demonstrated on this compelling date. Binding virtuoso Italian accordionist Simone Zanchini, French tuba titan Michel Godard and Polish drumming force Bodek Janke, and enhancing the scenery with the presence of his son, guest cellist Ariel Vei Atanasovski, this leader erases borderlines. He essentially forsakes the concept of strict style for the sake of greater substance, and the music is all the better for that ...

106
Album Review

Kristjan Randalu / Bodek Janke: Live

Read "Live" reviewed by Budd Kopman


Pianist Kristjan Randalu and drummer Bodek Janke have performed as a duo for more than twenty years, and quite naturally have developed an exceedingly close rapport. Live is a recording of the award ceremony concert for Randalu winning the 2007 Baden-Wurttemberg Jazz Prize. Coincidentally, Janke won the same prize in 2008. Each musician separately is highly energetic, inventive and full of good spirits. Together, they threaten to pull you out of your seat, put a smile on ...

167
Album Review

Grupa Janke Randalu: Live

Read "Live" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


This release finds an interactive pianist and percussionist duo providing a stimulating program of jazz standards, classical and original material. Estonian-born pianist/composer Kristjan Randalu and Polish native/percussionist Bodek Janke collaborate on a variety of selections that reflect their twenty years of experience working together.

Randalu's opener, “Confidance," is a major source of attraction. This thirteen-minute composition begins with a lyrical ninety seconds from the pianist before the tempo increases and the percussion enters. The duo offers ...

139
Album Review

Grupa Janke Randalu: Live

Read "Live" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Grupka Janke Randalu is the collaboration between pianist Kristjan Randalu and percussionist Bodek Janke (percussion). They have developed a compact rapport over the twenty years they have been playing together, apparent in the way they respond to each other, get into a conversation and take their music to a higher level by developing thoughts and impulses.

Randalu first studied classical music and picked up on jazz in Germany. He developed his jazz language in New York studying with several jazz ...

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"Infectious groove" — ALL ABOUT JAZZ

"Above-average. A magic moment of improvised music. Janke makes drums and cymbals sing." — SUEDKURIER

"The brilliant percussionist Bodek Janke was inspired and thrilling throughout the performance." — LONDON JAZZ NEWS

"Bodek is a great drummer and percussionist: subtle, groovy and precise." — DJANGO BATES

"Pure rhythm... a dazzling representation of jazz." — MAIN POST

"Janke’s drumming is a masterpiece, his distinct and emotional playing is surpassing." — BERND KONRAD

"A drummer of the highest category." — WESTFÄLISCHE NACHRICHTEN

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

SONG2

Dreyer Gaido
2020

buy

Phoenix

MoonJune Records
2020

buy

SONG

Dreyer Gaido
2018

buy

Folksongs 2

Self Produced
2013

buy

Live

Jazz'N'Arts Records
2008

buy

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