https://www2.polskieradio.pl/eo/dokument.aspx?iid=118682

Jazz Jamboree 2009 is now on in Warsaw

26.10.2009
It is the 51st edition of the festival which from very modest beginnings became one of Warsaw's most important institutions.
 
 
Click on the audio icon to listen to the report by Agnieszka Bielawska.
 
 

This year's edition was opened by Poland's renowned jazz musician Michal Urbaniak, who played a concert' Miles of Blue' in memeory of Miles Davis and the album 'Kind of Blue' which is the best known album by the legendary jazz violinist.

 

 Jazz Jamboree was born counter to the sentiments of then communist authorities in Poland. In the 1950's jazz was forbidden in this country , seen as the music of 'capitalists'. A thaw came after  Stalin's death and jazz was legalised but still was a symbol of everything that the communist rule wanted to eliminate: the contact with the west, the urge for freedom. The festival started in the Baltic resort of Sopot but in 1958 moved to Warsaw, where it was hosted by a student's club Stodola.

 

In time the festival became , even though the authorities reluctantly admitted to it , a huge promotion for Poland. Jazz Jamboree hosted world's most renowned names of jazz like. The Warsaw Jazz jamboree has been the place where all the world's greatest musicians played,and  was also a great opportunity for the Polish musicians.