KRZYSZTOF POPEK    the leading Polish jazz flute-player, for many years invariably winning in jazz polls of the “Jazz Forum” monthly magazine. The owner of  POWER BROS – the independent record label, which is known worldwide.

Born on January 27, 1957 in Rybnik. The first steps in jazz during Jazz Juniors Festival in 1982 and during Jazz on Odra in 1985. On both occasions he won individual prizes.

He plays soprano flute and alto flute. Besides, he is a composer, an arranger and an inspiring leader of his many formations with the most significant of them all – “Young Power”, which won the immense fame and proved to be very popular.

Among many of the group’s albums especially interesting is “Man of Tra”, recorded with the participation of Tomasz Stańko, Michał Urbaniak playing as the guest stars.

The album “Letters and Leaves” also proved to be a success. It was recorded by KRZYSZTOF POPEK QUINTET and was nominated for the “Fryderyk ‘96” prize. It won the title of the second Album of the Year ‘96 ( Jazz Forum )                                                                               

In 2005 he recorded important "House of Jade" with a magnificent American rhythm section: Victor Lewis, David Friesen and Randy Porter.  - " Popek is a precise player with beautiful technique ... "  Elliot Simon, November 2006, ALLABOUTJAZZ - NEW YORK

In 2006 he recorded  succesful "You are in my heart" with Joe La Barbera, David Friesen, Randy Porter and Piotr Wojtasik.  

Now, he plays and records with INTERNATIONAL QUINTET with Kirk Lightsey, Stephen Scott, Cameron Brown, Victor Lewis, Joe La Barbera, David Friesen, Randy Porter, Ed Schuller, Jasper van't Hof, John Betsch, Piotr Wojtasik and Piotr Baron.

Krzysztof Popek performed in the most important jazz clubs across Europe, and also on festivals like Warsaw Jazz Summer, Jazz Jamboree, Molde International Jazz Festival, Göttinger Jazzfestival, Leverkusener Jazz Tage, Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Berlin Jazz Tage, Stockholm Jazz and Blues All Stars Festival and many others.

The most important prizes:

Every year from 1988 (also in 2007) – The Flute Player of the Year   ( Jazz Forum )

1987 – The Musician of the Year ( Jazz Forum )

1987 –  “Young Power” becomes The Big Band of the Year( (Jazz Forum )

1988 – The Musician of the Year ( Jazz Forum )

1988 – The Arranger of the Year ( Jazz Forum )

1988 – “Young Power” becomes The Band of the Year  

         1996 - Album of the Year - Krzysztof Popek Quintet 

                                        " Letters & Leaves "  ( Jazz Forum )

The nineties are the time of  Krzysztof Popek’s “double action” as a musician, and, on the other hand, as a producer and record editor.

Since 1992 his firm Power Bros edited full series of Polish jazz classics and also many records by world-known stars, like Joe Lovano, Billy Harper, David Liebman, Victor Lewis,  Tomasz Stanko, Buster Williams, Billy Hart, David Friesen, Edward Vesala, Jon Christensen, Arild Andersen, Ed Schuller, Bernt Rosengren, Ben Riley, Ronnie Burrage etc. The firm gained the worldwide recognition by editing multimedia records, containing music by Krzysztof Komeda.

“Power Bros” sells its records not only in Poland. They are distributed in twenty countries around the world, among which are United States (Cadence Building), all Europe including Scandinavia and Great Britain.  They are also available via the net, sold by “Power Bros”, by Cadence Building and by Amazon com,Amazon de.

The records from the firm’s catalogue can be found in prestigious publications, like “Penguin Guide of Jazz”. They were favorably noticed by jazz magazines, among them “Wire”, “Jazz Podium”, “Jazztetic” and many others.  

 The record “Astigmatic”, edited by “Power Bros”, is widely recognized as one of  the best jazz albums in history. It recently won the title of The Record of All Times in a poll by “Jazz Forum”. 

Also on the Polish jazz scene the publications of “Power Bros” are yearly recognized among the best albums of the year and are highly esteemed by critics.

 Photos: Ewa i Jacek Filipowicz