Biography
MAGDA PISKORCZYK
(pronounce: peas-CORE-chick) is a singer with a mature, low and unusual voice timbre. Described in France as "la voix noire et au costume blanc" (Black voice in a white costume). She is a guitar, bass guitar and percussion player, as well as a song writer. Magda performs music of Afro-American and African heritage. She is a two-time Semifinalist of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, USA. Readers of the Polish blues quarterly chose her the Female Vocalist of the Year 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2011.
Magda has released five 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 from Memphis, harmonica virtuoso, with lots of world music flavor; "Magda Live" (nominated to the Fryderyk Award, the most prestigious award of the Polish Phonographic Industry); "Blues Travelling" feat. Michal Urbaniak, a renowned jazz violinist and "Live at Satyrblues" with Swedish musician Slidin' Slim.
Magda Piskorczyk regularly performs with her band and has given shows at many festivals almost all over Europe. In 2009 she was invited to play with Konoba, an international band performing traditional West African music. Magda has performed with many famous musicians, such as Bob Margolin, Bob Brozman, Seckou Keita, Rita Engedalen, Greg Zlap, Slidin’ Slim and Engerling group. In August-September 2010 she gave 22 concerts with Blues Award Winner Billy Gibson.
THE MUSIC OF MAGDA PISKORCZYK
is her tasteful arrangements of funk, blues, gospel, soul, rock and jazz classics and her own original compositions as well. Despite her music being deeply set in the Afro-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 usage of voice and perfectly matched sounds of guitars, a Hammond organ, a saxophone, a violin, percussion or other instruments make this music unique and captivating. Magda regularly involves the audience in collective singing, emotional shouting, hand-clapping or snapping their fingers.
GOSPEL
In Autumn 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. There she performed also at the Hope Street Festival and during the final concert in the Metropolitan Cathedral, broadcast by the BBC Radio.
MAGDA AT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS
Eutin Bluesfest / Blues Baltica, Germany (2011)
Suwalki Blues Festival, Suwalki, Poland (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 (2009 & 2010)
Trossinger Blues Fabrik, Germany (2009)
Prerov Jazz Festival, Prerov, Czech Rep. (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)
Jimiway Festival, Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland (2002, 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)
THE BAND
THE BAND
* Magda Piskorczyk - vocals, acoustic, electric, bass guitar, arrangements
regularly performs with her band:
* Ola Siemieniuk - dobro, acoustic, electric guitar;
* Bartek Kazek - drums;
* Adam Rozenman - percussion;
Extended line-up and special projects:
* Stanisław Witta / Jacek Cichocki - piano and Hammond organ;
* Marcin Jahr / Bogumił Romanowski - drums
* Roman Ziobro - double bass
DISCOGRAPHY
Magda Piskorczyk - "Mahalia", Artgraff, 2011
Magda Piskorczyk feat. Billy Gibson - "Afro Groove", BSMF Japan 2011
Magda Piskorczyk feat. Billy Gibson - "Afro Groove", Artgraff, 2011
Magda Piskorczyk & Slidin' Slim - "Live at Satyrblues"", 2010
Magda Piskorczyk - "Magda Live", Artgraff, 2008
Magda Piskorczyk - "Blues Travelling", feat. Michal Urbaniak, MTJ, 2005
Magda Piskorczyk - "Make Your Spirit Fly", demo, 2002
== As a guest:
J.J.Band - "Blues. J.J.Band i przyjaciele grają utwory Tadeusza Nalepy", 2010
Blues Flowers - "Smacznego!", 2008
Blues Flowers - "Bluesmenty", 2005
"Chorzy na bluesa śpiewają utwory Sławka Wierzcholskiego", 2004
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
== Compilations:
"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
MULTIMEDIA
www.myspace.com/magdapiskorczyk
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