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Adam Makowicz
Adam Makowicz - jazz legend, master of improvisation, piano virtuoso. European "Jazz Forum" magazine voted Adam a "Number One Jazz Pianist" six years successively. Decorated with the Officer's Cross of Merit of the Republic of Poland and many other important and respected acknowledgments, he has recorded several dozens of albums and performed in the world's best concert venues, playing with the world's top musicians. Most recently Adam Makowicz joined the illustrious group of most influential polish emigrants in the 400 years history of the USA.
Makowicz was born in Czech Silesia to Polish parents. In 1946 his family returned to Poland. The first music teacher of the young Adam was his mother- herself a pianist and a singer. Exceptionally talented Adam Makowicz was sent to a school for musically gifted children and subsequently to music schools in Rybnik, Katowice and Krakow. His parents' dream was for their son to become a classical pianist. However, as a 15-year-old youngster Adam became fascinated with jazz. In communist Poland jazz was a forbidden fruit, a product of the decadent West. That very music, which Makowicz himself calls "the world of freedom and improvisation", fascinated him to such an extent that at the age of 18, he abandoned his school and family and chose his own way. The legendary jazz club "Helicon" in Krakow became his oasis. Several years later Makowicz and Tomasz Stanko formed the "Jazz Daring's" - the first European jazz combo. Since the mid 70s Adam appeared regularly as a soloist, growing in recognition and respect in Europe.
In 1977, on the recommendation of Benny Goodman and jazz promoter Willis Conover, the legendary producer John Hammond invited Makowicz on a 10-week tour of the US. It was Conover's radio show "Music USA-Jazz Hour" that first exposed the young Makowicz to jazz as performed by the greatest stars from across the ocean. During this 10 weeks long tour Makowicz recorded his first American solo album, "Adam" (CBS Columbia). Following year Adam returned to the US; this time on a six-month extended contract. Manhattan became Adam's new home. All the legendary music venues opened their doors to him including New York's Carnegie Hall, Greenwich Village Cookery Club, Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island - just to mention a few. Adam's first solo performance in Carnegie Hall took place in the course of the extraordinary concert honouring the memory of a great Errol Garner.
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Adam Makowicz and Leszek Mozdzer: Makowicz vs. Mozdzer at Carnegie Hall
![Read "Makowicz vs. Mozdzer at Carnegie Hall" reviewed by Joel Roberts](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/old/styles/amakowicz2005.jpg)
by Joel Roberts
Adam Makowicz has such phenomenal technique at the keyboard that it sometimes sounds as if he's playing with four hands. On his latest album there really are four hands at work, though two of them belong to fellow Polish piano sensation Leszek Mozdzer. Their solo and duet excursions on Chopin and popular standards, recorded live at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall last year, make for one of the most stunning showcases of piano virtuosity in recent memory. Makowicz, ...
read moreBob Stewart/Adam Makowicz in Concert September 17th 3pm at Merkin Concert Hall
![Bob Stewart/Adam Makowicz in Concert September 17th 3pm at Merkin Concert Hall](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/logo/bd38a72ed12128b10ddc05c6087dacb8.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
BOB STEWART ADAM MAKOWICZ IN CONCERT
WITH VIRGIL SCOTT AND HIS 16-PIECE JAZZ ORCHESTRA AND THE TEDD FIRTH TRIO
A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO SOS, THE SOCIETY OF SINGERS"
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17 AT 3PM
MERKIN CONCERT HALL AT KAUFMAN CENTER GOODMAN HOUSE 129 WEST 67TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10023 BOX OFFICE 212 501 ...
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Adam Makowicz vs. Leszek Mozdzer at Carnegie Hall Saturday, September 25 - 2 shows, 2:30pm & 8pm
![Adam Makowicz vs. Leszek Mozdzer at Carnegie Hall Saturday, September 25 - 2 shows, 2:30pm & 8pm](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/logo/bd38a72ed12128b10ddc05c6087dacb8.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
Adam Makowicz vs. Leszek Mozdzer at Carnegie Hall Saturday, September 25 2 shows, 2:30pm & 8pm
![Adam Makowicz vs. Leszek Mozdzer at Carnegie Hall Saturday, September 25 2 shows, 2:30pm & 8pm](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/logo/bd38a72ed12128b10ddc05c6087dacb8.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
Polish Cultural Institute Presents Pianists... Adam Makowicz vs. Leszek Mozdzer Going Head to Head at Carnegie Hall - Saturday, September 25, 2004 New York City, July 28, 2004 - The Polish Cultural Institute presents two of the greatest keyboard talents on the Polish music scene today: Adam Makowicz and Leszek Mozdzer, going head to head for the first time at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 2:30pm and 8:00pm. These classically trained jazz pianists will perform ...
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1. Adam will make the history books.
Earl "Fatha" Hines
2. The most extraordinary piano talent in the last thirty years.
John Hammond, Columbia Records producer
3. Adam Makowicz is one of the three or four greatest living jazz pianists...
Alistair Cooke, PBS commentator
4. A rare artist who grips and holds attention, Makowicz handles the classics of the American songbook with an aplomb equal to the way he deals with the devastatingly complex structures of his own compositions. A gifted improviser with splendid technical prowess, the pianist can also offer warmth and affection in melodic lines, the balance of fine taste, pungent swing and a jubilant approach inevitably generating audience cheer.
Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star