It seems that there is a rule on composing - once You start to write for bigger ensembles they are only getting bigger and bigger. I wasn't aware of that rule when I wrote a big band suite last year, and more recently - a piece for a symphonic orchestra.
Now i'm officialy starting to work on the second big band suite - this time augmented with real time audio manipulation and some symphonic instruments as well - like oboe, bass clarinet flutes and strings for a good measure.
The artistic director of Jazztopad festival has been very kind to commission this brand new piece - and as You can reckon it will be premiered on this year's edition of Jazztopad - namely on 20th of november in the wroclaw philharmonic hall.
From the smaller department - my arrangements of tunisian music composed and played by Amine and Hamza M'Raihi - string quartet, piano oud and kanun - will be played in Kraków - my hometown - shortly after being showcased at the opening night of Jazz a Carthage festival. There will be a dvd coming, as well as european cd premiere.
In the meantime i'm also preparing something for a big-band concert in Prague recorded by the Czech radio. In both bigbands expect the uncanny leadership of Ed Partyka, what in my opinion settles any debate on the awesomeness of the sound of the band. Now only the notes to be written are the mystery part, but i'll try to take care of this.