CROCUS JAZZ FESTIVAL

Crocus Jazz Festival is international festival music competition which is organised every year in
Jelenia Gra by Cultural Center in Jelenia Gra in association with cultural center from Germany
and Chech Republic. I choosed this event because Jelenia Gra is my family town and event
Crocus is close to me. The founder of festival was Tadeusz Errol Kosiski, legendary polish
jazz pianist.

The festival has had 15 edition. During the festival is held competition named The breath of
young jazz, which means only young musician (they cant have more than 30 years) can take
part. For this event can apply bands and soloist instrumentalists or vocalist. Participants are
fighting for the statue Golden Crocus. On the stage of Cultural Center in Jelenia Gra put up
steps many of actual great jazz musician, among others: Maciej Obara, Adam Badych, Piotr
Orzechowski who start these careers in this competition. From 2006 music presentations are
recorded on CDs released by organizers. To take part in competition should be sent CD which
includes pieces that the band will perform. Musician can present these own music or
arrangements of existing compositions. The Jury are always eminent musicians, polish jazz
giants, for example: Janusz Muniak, Andrzej Schmidt, Zbigniew Namysowski, Piotr
Baron, Jacek Niedziela, Henryk Majewski, Kazimierz Jonkisz and others.

While lasting few days festival competition is usually organised for two days in morning and
afternoon hours. Bands and soloist present musical material composed of three pieces. After this
in the evening concert of jazz giants are held. Results of competition are presented in last day of
festival before final concert. After this the winning band (or soloist) can present themselves once
again in festival club Kwadrat. Prizes in the competition are team and individual. Winning the
Grand prix let musician for example realase these own music CD.