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ARTIST
TITLE
Live Spirit I
FORMAT
CD

LABEL
CATALOG #
WMQ 010CD WMQ 010CD
GENRE
RELEASE DATE
7/25/2025

Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet (WMQ) -- one of the most charismatic groups on the European jazz scene -- returns with Live Spirit I, a new double album recorded at the iconic Witold Lutosławski Polish Radio Concert Studio in Warsaw. The release features four brand-new compositions alongside electrifying new takes on WMQ classics, including a stunning 20-minute version of "Polka," the title track from their best-selling record. This is WMQ at its core: deeply rooted in Polish jazz tradition, elevated by the spiritual depth and uninhibited virtuosity of improvisation, and shaped by a distinctly modern sensibility and urban energy. Live Spirit I is not just a celebration of the group's unmistakable sound -- it's a powerful reflection of their ongoing evolution. The album was recorded during the international tour for their critically acclaimed studio release Beautiful People (WMQ 009LP). Alongside the Warsaw concert, the quintet performed dozens of shows worldwide -- selling out Londons Jazz Cafe and earning ovations in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. As both a virtuoso bassist and composer, Mazolewski seamlessly blends traditional jazz with contemporary influences, creating a sound that is both hypnotic and emotionally charged. His 2014 album Polka was named one of the five best jazz records of the year by DownBeat, and earned high praise from Kind of Jazz in the UK. The follow-up, When Angels Fall -- featuring reimaginings of Krzysztof Komeda's compositions -- was also widely acclaimed by outlets like DownBeat and London Jazz News. His latest studio project Beautiful People showcases a bold immersion in spiritual jazz traditions, while remaining deeply rooted in Slavic culture and sharply attuned to the pulse of the present. Live Spirit I captures WMQ in peak form: a tightly unified collective that shifts effortlessly from meditative focus to ecstatic improvisational flights, powered by the energy of a live audience. Mazolewski's compositions flourish in this setting, revealing a potent mix of vitality and groove -- qualities that have kept jazz relevant across generations and continue to attract new listeners.