Adam Simmons | Jean Poole - Zatoczka: Tribute to Komeda

2020 release

A uniquely improvised cinematic experience with music as the inspiration – filmic images largely from Merri Creek, mixed live by Jean Poole in response to a collection of Krzysztof Komeda’s evocative and iconic compositions carefully curated and arranged by musical director, Adam Simmons.

Polish Cinema in Australia presented this concert to celebrate Komeda’s contribution as a film composer and commemorate the 50th anniversary of his untimely passing. Adam was engaged due to his related musical endeavours, as well as his 20-year connection with Poland and its culture (that started due to friendly heckling at Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues).

The concept was developed by Adam in conjunction with Jean Poole, while the music was brought to life by the Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble, augmented by the artistry of two special guests and longtime collaborators of Adam’s: the masterful Tony Gould and the sublime Deborah Kayser.

KRZYSZTOF KOMEDA (1931-1968)
Described as Poland’s most important Polish jazz artist, pianist Krzysztof Komeda was also a prolific film composer with over 40 films to his credit. Notable amongst these are Roman Polanski’s films Knife in the Water (1962), Cul-de-sac (1966), The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967), and Rosemary’s Baby (1968). Komeda's album Astigmatic (1965) is widely regarded as one of the most important European jazz albums; British critic Stuart Nicholson describes the album as 'marking a shift away from the dominant American approach with the emergence of a specific European aesthetic'. His life was cut short in 1968 after a tragic accident.

Performed by:
Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble
Adam Simmons - tenor/soprano saxes
Cara Taber - alto sax
Gideon Brazil - flute/tenor sax
Gavin Cornish - trumpet
Nat Grant - vibraphone
Howard Cairns - double bass
Niko Schauble - drums
Special guests
Tony Gould - piano
Deborah Kayser - voice

Introducing
Luca Brazil - wandering boy wonder

Compositions by Krzysztof Komeda, except interludes by Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble
Arrangements by Adam Simmons

Overall concept - Adam Simmons and Jean Poole
Musical Direction - Adam Simmons
Cinematography/Editing - Jean Poole
Live video mixing - Jean Poole
Audio Recording Engineer - Jem Savage
Audio Assistant - Hannah Reaney
Mixing/mastering engineer - Myles Mumford
Graphic Design - Celsius Design
Photography - Jean Poole (cover) and George Sujak (inside - ensemble)

Recorded at Deakin Edge for Polish Music Day
29 November 2019

Dziękuję Bardzo | Special Thanks:
Polish Cinema in Australia, Polish Film Festival, Robert Domanski for his invitation and infectious enthusiasm, Krzysztof Balkiewicz (www.komeda.pl) and to Jarek Wojcik for introducing me to Komeda, pierogi and pączki.