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Marek Konarski

A saxophonist characterized by a warm and deep sound, recognizable phrase and extraordinary musical sensitivity. Active on the European scene, both as a leader and a member of many projects. His improvisations are energetic and full of lyricism. They are influenced by Scandinavian music, Polish folk music and be-bop.

Since 2006 he has attended classes at the “Small Academy of Jazz” run by Boguław Dziekański and “Jazz Club Pod Filarami” in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland. This extraordinary form of education spurred his passion for jazz music. Currently, Marek Konarski is the youngest lucterer in the project.

In 2011, he moved to Denmark to study at the Syddansk Musik Konservatorium . Since then he has been cooperating with the Great Danish-Swedish rhythm section: Carl Winter-piano, Johnny Aman – double bass, Anders Mogensen – drums, with whom he performs in Europe to this day.

In 2012, with the Tone Raw band, he became the laureate of the Jazz Phonographic Debut competition organized by the Institute of Music and Dance in Warsaw. The band recorded his debut album “Tone Raw” for SOS Music, which was rated very well by critics. The album received four stars in the prestigious “Jazz Forum” magazine. Apart from the saxophonist, the band was composed of: Sebastian Zawadzki – piano, Thomas Kolarczyk – double bass, Kuba Gudz – percussion.

The quartet played many concerts promoting the debut album. Enthusiasm and energy, flowing from fresh experience, resulted in the original material that was recorded on the CD. The artist has won many awards for the best soloist at jazz competitions, including Poznań Blue Note Competition 2016, Tarnów Jazz Contest 2016, Young Nordic Jazz Comets 2015 in Helsinki, Novum Jazz Festival 2014 in Lomza and many more.

One of the greatest achievements of the saxophonist was to receive the title of the Musician of the Year 2015 on the island of Fyn, an award granted by the Danish Union of Jazz Musicians. It turned out to be a turning point in his career. In the same year, he was invited by the legendary American saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, with whom he played concerts in Poland and Denmark.

Since 2017, Konarski has been cooperating with Tim Hagans – a trumpeter from Ohio, three times nominated for the Grammy Award. In spring 2018, they played a tour in Poland, in December 2018 they have recorded their first album “Enernal Forge”

Awards

2019 - Medal of the 100th Anniversary of Independence from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland 2017 - Award from the association Foreningen Rytmisk Musik Konservatorium Venner in Copenhagen, 2017 - Award from Else Timmermanns Fond in Denmark, 2016 -1st Prize at the 9th Grupa Azoty Jazz Contest 2016 in Tarnów, Poland 2016 - 1st Prize at the Blue Note Poznan Competition, Poland 2015 - Musician of the Year of the Danish island of Fyn, Denmark 2014 - 2nd Prize at the Review of Young Performers of Jazz Music 2014 in Łomża, Poland 2012 - 3rd Prize at the Review of Young Performers of Jazz Music 2012 in Łomża, Poland 2015 - 2nd Prize at the Young Nordic Jazz Comets 2015 in Helsinki with the Jazz Fresh band, Finland 2012 - Winning the Competition for the Jazz Phonographic Debut with the band TONE RAW, Poland


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