MAGDA PISKORCZYK (pronounce: peace-CORE-chick) is a singer with a mature, low, unusual voice timbre and a multiinstrumentalist playing acoustic, electric and bass guitar, as well as percussion. Described in France as “la voix noire et au costume blanc” (Black voice in a white costume). Magda performs music of Afro-American and African heritage. She is a two-time semi-finalist of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, USA, and the Female Vocalist of the Year 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013, chosen by readers of the Polish blues quarterly. In 2009 Magda was invited to play with Konoba, an international band performing traditional West African music. She tours regularly with her band, and has performed at numerous festivals almost all over Europe and in Taiwan. In 2011 Magda launched her original music workshops "Magda Piskorczyk Masterclass" based on her own program. CD "Magda Piskorczyk Masterclass" released in 2012 is the fruit of such workshops organized in Warsaw. Magda has released six CDs including: "Mahalia" - studio album prepared in Honor of Mahalia Jackson celebrating the 100th Birthday Anniversary of the Queen of Gospel; "Afro Groove" - double live CD feat. Billy Gibson, harmonica virtuoso from Memphis, with lots of ethnic flavor; "Live at Satyrblues" - with Swedish guitar player and singer-songwriter Slidin' Slim; "Magda Live" - acoustic CD, recorded live in Radio Gdańsk; "Blues Travelling" - feat. Michal Urbaniak, a renowned jazz violinist. "Magda Live", "Afro Groove" and "Mahalia" have been nominated to the Fryderyk Award, the most prestigious award of the Polish Phonographic Industry. MUSIC OF MAGDA PISKORCZYK is her tasteful arrangements of funk, blues, gospel, soul, rock and jazz classics, as well as her original compositions. Despite her music being deeply set in the African-American tradition, it is very personal and innovative at the same time. Joy and humour, great emotions and energy are mixed with deep messages, melancholy and moving sincerity. An unusual, very expressive vocal performance and perfectly matched sounds of guitars, a Hammond organ, a saxophone, percussion or other instruments make this music unique and captivating. Magda is known for her excellent connection with the audience, leading them to collective singing, emotional shouting, hand clapping, snapping their fingers and general joyful involvement in the performance, as well as deep reflection. She has performed with many famous musicians, such as Bob Margolin, Bob Brozman, Seckou Keita, Greg Zlap, Rita Engedalen, Slidin’ Slim and Engerling group. In Summer 2010 she gave 22 concerts with harmonica virtuoso, Blues Award Winner Billy Gibson. GOSPEL In 2011 Magda prepared a special gospel program "In Honor of Mahalia Jackson" with her versions of songs known from Mahalia's records. She has performed gospel and spiritual songs many times in Poland, Germany, Sweden, Hungary and France. In 2008 she gave a series of concerts with her band at the City Sings Gospel Festival in Liverpool. While there, Magda also performed at the Hope Street Festival and at the final concert in the Metropolitan Cathedral, broadcast by the BBC Radio. OFFER Magda offers various concert programs, especially: Afro Groove – mixture of Afro-American (blues, soul, funk, jazz, gospel) and ethnic music, especially from Africa plus her own compositions (usually in trio) World Travels – music travel through cultures and traditions (possible extended line-up with percussion, ethnic or wind instruments) Mahalia – gospel songs in tribute to Mahalia Jackson (usually extended line-up and 5-person choir). Magda is open for the cooperation with abroad musicians too. ================================= MUSICIANS AND MEDIA ABOUT MAGDA She's a great future for the music. She's a great, great musician with very good groove and sense of music. (Bob Brozman after the concert with Magda at Dobrofest Trnava) Excellent music, beautiful voice, musicians in top form, our audience love it absolutely. (Serge WARIN about CD "Magda Live", Radio Canal Bleu, France) I can hardly wait to see this lady live on stage! (Bobtje's Blues Pages, Holland) That young and from Eastern Europe! Excellent! She is better than some Americans!. (Rev. Rabia from Berkeley, USA, American blues singer) Blues from Poland? Possibly the last place you'd expect to hear blues coming from. Magda Piskorczyk has a great bluesy voice, and you'd never guess that she was from Eastern Europe - although you might guess at Mississippi or Tennessee. (Terry Clear, Blues Bytes) Magda is an excellent, deep-voiced singer - her voice is somewhere between Koko Taylor, Charley Patton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Tommy Johnson) - capable of tackling well-known blues, jazz and gospel numbers alongside more contemporary songs from the pens of Jacques Brel, Paul Rodgers ('Muddy Water Blues' is a wonderful performance) and Tracy Chapman, and her style is distinctive, individual and unusual. So too are her arrangements, which certainly avoid the obvious and although they are acoustic-based, can be extremely powerful... (Norman Darwen about CD "Magda Live", BluesArt-Journal) ================================= FROM BEGINNINGS TO THE STARS Magda was born in Southwestern part of Poland. She studied computer science at Technical University of Wroclaw. Since the very childhood she kept singing everywhere and almost all the time. She listened to the music of different genres but blues, gospel and soul touched her most. Her debut in 2001 at the festival in Bialystok was a great success - she won The First Prize in the competition. She sang with almost each top Polish blues band, singer or musician, but most often with Michal Kielak (harmonica), Ola Siemieniuk (dobro guitar) and Arkadiusz Osenkowski (tenor sax.). She received The Blues Top Awards in 2003, 2004 and 2006 as "The Female Blues Vocalist of the Year" by the readers of the most important Polish blues magazine "Twoj Blues" (eng. "Your Blues"). Since 2005 she has regularly performed with her own band. In 2008 the first Polish Blues Stars Alley with three stars opened in town Sława near Zielona Góra. One of them was Magda who stamped her hand on the promenade too. ================================= STUDIO ALBUM: "BLUES TRAVELLING" Her first album entitled "Blues Travelling" was released in October 2005, during the biggest indoor blues festival in the World: Rawa Blues. Magda recorded it with her friends and special guest: legendary jazz musician and composer Michal Urbaniak (violin on "Tutu" album of Miles Davis). It presents 16 songs: blues standards and less known compositions in very personal renditions, for example, a moving gospel "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me"; an exciting version of Tom Waits' "Temptation" in which Magda plays the electric double bass. In aged-sounding jail "Work Song" her harsh voice is accompanied only on the sax and a simple beat of the drum. CONCERT ALBUM: "MAGDA LIVE" The CD titled "Magda Live", released in 2008, was recorded at Radio Gdansk by Magda and her band with very active participation of the audience which was regularly involved in collective singing, clapping hands or stamping their feet, emotional shouting. The album contains 13 acoustic songs full of music with great energy and true emotions, seasoned with two reflective ballads. Magda serves her own tasty arrangements and personal interpretations of a few standards taken from various genres, for example: jazz ("All of Me"), blues ("Walking Blues"), gospel ("Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho"), as well as modern compositions of the authors such as: Tracy Chapman ("Crossroads") or Paul Rodgers ("Muddy Water Blues"). A very unique element of the album is a jazzy version of Jacques Brel's song with English text titled "Hearts" which has reached number one on the Radio Cracow ALP List. The CD contains also multimedia with 15 minutes video filmed at the presented concert. CD nominated to the Fryderyk Award 2009 for the Blues Album of the Year in Poland. CD WITH SLIDIN' SLIM: "LIVE AT SATYRBLUES" Polish vocalist Magda Piskorczyk and Swedish musician Slidin’ Slim performed together at the Satyrblues Festival in Tarnobrzeg, Poland in September 2009. It was their first joint performance, preceded only with a short sound check. Magda and Slim met the evening before at the airport. In the beginning they were supposed to play only for a quarter and in duo. However... As it is stated in "Gitarzysta" magazine 2010/01: "Their joint concert was so much liked by the audience that planned 15 minutes turned into 45 and the encore only seemed to intensify hunger for more." The album presents 7 songs. Magda and Slim sing by turns. They both play guitars: Magda - acoustic and Slim - dobro. They are accompanied by two musicians from Magda’s band: Aleksandra Siemieniuk on electric guitar and Grzegorz Zawiliński on limited percussion set containing instruments such as a washboard and spoons. In the CD there is a video presentation of all the concert too. CD "AFRO GROOVE" with special guest Billy Gibson - vocalist and harmonica virtuoso from Memphis, Blues Award Winner In this double CD album Magda Piskorczyk invites the listeners to a musical journey through her closest sounds, cultures and traditions. She presents multicolour and very personal collage, blending the music with the Afro-American roots (blues, soul, funk, jazz) and the ethnic rhythms or melodies, especially from the Western Africa. Magda sings primarily in English, although some pieces include vocals in Tamashek, Bambara and Polish. She plays acoustic and bass guitar and regularly involves the audience in creating music, especially the rhythm, together. Magda is accompanied by her band: Aleksandra Siemieniuk - dobro and electric guitar, Marcin Jahr - drums, Adam Rozenman - percussion plus a special guest from the USA. Billy Gibson and Magda Piskorczyk met for the first time during Magda's visit in Memphis. In 2010 they gave 22 concerts in one month - throughout Poland, Germany and Czech Republic. The first CD of "Afro Groove" album presents almost 67 minutes of the concert recorded in Poland during this tour at the XI Satyblues Festival. In the second CD there are 3 bonus songs. "Rzezb Mnie" is a ballad composed by Magda with a text of a famous Polish poet. CD "MAHALIA" Studio album prepered by Magda in Honor of Mahalia Jackson to celebrate the 100th Birthday Anniversary of the Queen of Gospel (October 26, 2011). "Come on Children, Let's Sing", "Lord, Search My Heart", "Trouble of the World", "Keep Your Hand on the Plow" or "Go Tell It on the Mountain" are only a few examples from a very long list of the songs, which became worldwide known and close to millions people due to Mahalia. These songs enchanted Magda Piskorczyk too. The album includes 15 songs produced and arranged by Magda on the old and beautiful tradition, in which joy and energy interlace with the passion of worship and deep reflection. ================================= INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE 2005 AND 2006 Magda Piskorczyk is said to be the first artist who came directly from Europe to take part in the biggest blues contest in the world: International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. She received very good comments of the Jurors: "You have a great "raw" sense of the music you're playing. I'd like to hear you on a full body guitar. I love your vocal phrasing" (Steve Clark) "She's different yet talented. Has good karma with audience. Slow but good different in a Norah Jones kind of way - sultry!" (Kelly Dobbins) "Innovative, quirky and fun" (William Beard) In 2006 Magda was again invited to take part in the IBC contest. And also this time she got great reviews of her performance from the Jury as well as the audience. Notes of the 2006 IBC Jurors: "Your Muddy Water Blues was GREAT. I’ll remember it for a long time. Great!" (John Pfeiffer) "Very engaging performance - I like the way you bring the audience into your act - great sounds - very earthy, gutsy - this is what I think the blues should sound like! Good variety of songs - in your set - very nice - fast, slow, happy, sad - makes for a much more entertaining show!" (Mark Loft) "BIG ENERGY - good luck with your career Magda. Kudos" (Ted Boomer) ================================= MAGDA AT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS Magda has given shows at many international festivals, such as: Tyykiblues Festival, Frossa, Finland (2018) Vienna Blues Spring Festival, Austria (2014, 2018) Suwałki Blues Festival (2011, 2018) Greifswald Polenmarkt, Germany (2017) Jimiway Festival, Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland (2002, 2006, 2017) Europe Blues Train Festival, Hannover (International Fireworks Festival), Germany (2017) Europe Blues Train Festival, Berlin and Bielefeld, Germany (2017) Europe Blues Train Festival, Berlin and Bruchhausen-Vilsen (2016) Singen Stadtfest, Germany (2015) Ziegelei Open Air, Twistringen, Germany (2015) Dresden Jazztage, Dresden, Germany (2014) Transit Festival, Burg Klempenow, Germany (2014) Blue Wave Festival, Rugia, Germany (2014) Vienna Blues Spring Festival, Austria (2014) Chemnitzer Stadtfest, Chemnitz, Grmany (2013) Bluesovy Podzimek, Holešov, Czech Rep. (2013) Prerov Jazz Festival, Prerov, Czech Rep. (2009, 2013) Old Jazz Meeting, Golden Washboard, Iława, Poland (2013) Southern Rock and Blues Festival, Kolin, Czech Rep. (2013) Chemnitzer Blues Festival, Germany (2013) Blues Bash, Taipei, Taiwan (2012) Autumn with Blues, Bialystok, Poland (2001, 2002, 2004, 2012) Opole Gospel Festival, Opole, Poland (2012) Blues au chateau Festival, La Cheze, France (2012) Resofest, Unna, Germany (2012) Picnic Country, Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland (2012) Eutin Bluesfest / Blues Baltica, Germany (2011) Plus Tennis Music Festival, Szczecin, Poland (2010) Jazz Blues Jamboree, Nove Zamky, Slovakia (2010) Dusty Road Blues Festival, Tidaholm, Sweden (2010) Fredrikstad Bluescamp, Fredrikstad, Norway (2010) Harmonica Bridge, Toruń and Bydgoszcz, Poland (2010) Satyrblues, Tarnobrzeg, Poland (2003, 2009 & 2010) Trossinger Blues Fabrik, Germany (2009) Gastroblues, Paks, Hungary (2009) City Sings Gospel, Liverpool, UK (2008) Blues Goes East, Karlsruhe, Niemcy (2007) Bluestracje - Polish Blues TOP, Chorzów and Zakopane, Poland (2007) Buezzfest, Burgas, Bulgaria (2006) International Blues Challenge, Memphis, USA (2005, 2006) Resonator Guitar Festival, Sullingen, Germany (2005, 2006) Blues Sur Seine, France (2006) Dresden Blues Festival, Germany (2006) Dobrofest, Trnava, Slovakia (2005) Rawa Blues Festival, Katowice, Poland (2003, 2005) Berlin Bluesfestival, Germany (2004) Potsdam Bluesfestival, Germany (2004) Blues Alive, Sumperk, Czech Republic (2002) ================================= DISCOGRAPHY CDs: Magda Piskorczyk - "Make Your Spirit Fly", reedition of first recordings as digipack, 2017 Magda Piskorczyk - "Mahalia", Artgraff 2011; Magda Piskorczyk feat. Billy Gibson - "Afro Groove", label: BSMF Japan, 2011; Magda Piskorczyk feat. Billy Gibson - "Afro Groove", label: Artgraff Poland, 2011; Magda Piskorczyk & Slidin' Slim - "Live at Satyrblues", Artgraff 2010; Magda Piskorczyk - "Magda Live", Artgraff 2008; Magda Piskorczyk - "Blues Travelling", feat. Michal Urbaniak, Label: MTJ Poland 2005; Magda Piskorczyk - "Make Your Spirit Fly", demo, 2002 As a guest: "Magda Piskorczyk Master Class", Ośrodek Kultury Ochoty, 2012; Antoni Krupa - "Amela", Radio Cracow 2012; J.J.Band - "Blues. J.J.Band i przyjaciele grają utwory Tadeusza Nalepy", 2010; Blues Flowers - "Smacznego!", 2008; Blues Flowers - "Bluesmenty", 2005; Blues Flowers - "Spoko Wodza", 2003; Blues Flowers - "Nie będę grzeczną dziewczynką" (single), 2003; Blues Flowers - "Cieszmy się jak dzieci" (single), 2003; The Jam Session Band - "One Night At Satyrblues Live", 2003; "Chorzy na bluesa śpiewają utwory Sławka Wierzcholskiego", 2004 Compilations: "Absolute Acoustic", 2CD, Singapore 2016, song "Darkness on the Delta"; "Jazz Studio, CD, Singapore 2016, song "Temptation"; "Amazing Jazz", 2CD, Singapore 2015, song "I'd Rather go Blind"; "The Best Blues...Ever!", 4CD box, EMI Music Poland 2012, song "Darkness On The Delta"; "When Blues Meets Jazz", audiophile 2CD, Singapore 2012, song "I've Got The Blues And I Can't Be Satysfied"; "Jazz Unlimited Vol.3 (The Ultimate Jazz Vocal Collection Ever)", audiophile 2CD, Singapore 2012, song "Temptation"; "Great Songwriters' Songbook", Singapore 2012, song "Temptation"; "Jazz Bar", Singapore 2012, song "Work Song"; "Acoustic Edition II", audiophile CD, Singapore 2012, song "Darkness on the Delta"; "Female Jazz II (The Greatest Vocal Collection)", 2CD, Singapore 2011, song "Darkness on the Delta"; "Jazz Unlimited", 2CD, Singapore 2011, song "I'd Rather go Blind"; "Jazz Addiction", audiophile CD, Singapore 2011, song "I'd Rather go Blind"; "Smooth Jazz po polsku", 5-CD Box, 2010, 1 song; "17 International Gastroblues Festival" DVD, Hungary 2009, 6 songs; "Blues sur Seine celebrates its 10 years", France 2008, song "Walking Blues"; "Antologia Polskiego Bluesa" vol. I & II (Polish blues Anthology, 5-CD box), 2008 & 2009, 4 songs; "Blues sur Seine, 8eme edition", song "Help Me", France 2006 ================================= CONTACT Booking and Management: (+48) 606-141-688; media@magdapiskorczyk.com WEBSITE AND MULTIMEDIA www.youtube.com/piskorczyk www.magdapiskorczyk.net www.facebook.com/magdapiskorczyk www.magdapiskorczyk.com