This morning, six ensembles selected in the first stage competed in the finals of one of the most prestigious competitions for young jazz musicians. The contenders for the Grand Prix included: Święto Osy, Fleeting Monument, Piotr Andrzejewski Trio, Blu/Bry, Tomasz Lepczak Quartet, and Earthgrazers.
The performances, held on the stage of Impart Centrum, were evaluated by a jury consisting of Dariusz Oleszkiewicz, Mark Shim, and Kuba Stankiewicz.
The Grand Prix was awarded to the band Blu/Bry, featuring:
Tomasz Kusz – trumpet
Jan Kusz – saxophone
Franciszek Wicke – bass
Jakub Letkiewicz – piano
Stanisław Banyś – drums
The winners received the Rybotrąbka statuette and a 25,000 PLN prize funded by the Mayor of Wrocław, Jacek Sutryk.
Blu/Bry was founded in 2021 and has been actively performing across the European jazz scene since. The group draws inspiration from artists such as Walter Smith III, Tigran Hamasyan, Avishai Cohen, and Tomasz Stańko. In 2024, they were recognized as a “New Hope of the Year” in the JazzTop ranking.
photo: Dunvael Photography
The jury also awarded additional honors:
A 12,000 PLN prize funded by the Polish Society of Authors and Composers (ZAiKS) went to Fleeting Monument, comprising:
Martyna Bieszczad – saxophone
Filip Krauz – trumpet
Mateusz Ozga – piano
Jakub Kozłowski – double bass
Gabriel Antoniak – drums
Fleeting Monument also received a special concert award from the Wrocław Culture Zone.
photo: Dunvael Photography
A special prize funded by zegarki.pl, distributor of the Oris brand, was awarded to Katarzyna Schmidt-Przeździecka (double bass) from the Tomasz Lepczak Quartet. She received an ORIS DIVERS Sixty-Five watch.
photo: Dunvael Photography
Additionally, the Grand Prix winners received a special media prize from the festival’s patron — an interview and band feature in Jazz Forum magazine.
The jury’s official statement is available HERE.
photo: Dunvael Photography
