MIRA OPALIŃSKA INTERNATIONAL QUARTET
In early 2008 pianist Mira Opalińska formed her own quartet—the Mira Opalińska International Quartet. In that inaugural year, the quartet had the privilege of supporting fellow Pole, Tomasz Stańko (during Glasgow International Jazz Festival 2008). Later that same year the quartet went on to tour Southern Poland including the opening concert at “Jazz Bez…” festival.
The MOIQ has become a regular on the vibrant Glasgow and Edinburgh jazz scene, performing original material and the occasional interpretation of tunes by Krzysztof Komeda. With return visits to Glasgow Jazz Festival in both 2009 and 2010 and a second tour of Poland, the quartet continues to gain momentum both at home and abroad.
“…the largely improvised music of Glasgow based pianist Mira Opalinska (…) sounds through-composed and is as sincerely played as it is satisfying to hear.” – The Herald (Rob Adams).
“… Z wielką muzyczną kulturą zaprezentowali porcję akustycznego, nastrojowego jazzu” – NOWINY (JK)
AUDIO & VIDEO
LIVE RECORDING, Glasgow Jazz Festival (2009)
Performance at the GU PolSoc “Decade of Solidarity” event, Glasgow Memorial Chapel (2009)
MEMBERS OF MOIQ
Mira Opalińska (b. Rzeszow, Poland, 1982) is a highly versatile pianist based in Glasgow, Scotland. She has over fifteen years experience performing in a variety of musical settings: from classical chamber music and concertos to jazz groups and big-bands; from intimate music theatre work to large scale international touring shows. Now her passion lies firmly with improvisation/jazz and in this role she regularly performs around the UK and her native Poland. In early 2008 she formed the Mira Opalińska International Quartet and later that year had the privilege of supporting fellow Pole, Tomasz Stańko… read more
Douglas Whates studied composition with Dr. Gordon McPherson at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, receiving the Patron’s Fund Prize (Royal College of Music) for Composition in 2003, and graduated in 2004 with a 1st class honours. Equally active as a bassist, he has performed with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; Scottish Ballet Orchestra; appeared as a sideman for London session ace Hugh Burns (Scott Walker, Gerry Rafferty, Paul McCartney) and celtic/crossover guitarist John Goldie; has undertaken theatre pit work—including touring with Sunshine on Leith; has featured on BBC Radio as composer or performer on numerous occasions; and is a founding member of the acoustic chamber ensembles, Frevo Quartet and Kelvin Trio. As a jazz bassist, Douglas regularly performs in and around Glasgow with some of the top musicians on the scene, as well as fronting his own trio.
Konrad Wiszniewski is one of Scotland’s most sought after saxophonists. He has been involved in the vibrant Scottish jazz scene from his early teens, attending the National Jazz Institute in Scotland, the Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra and the University of Strathclyde, gaining a BA hons in Applied Music from the latter in 2002. He chose to continue his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. During his time there, he was invited by the BBC to represent Britain in the European Jazz Orchestra with concerts in Istanbul, Turkey…read more
CONCERTS 2010
17.05.2010. RECITAL ROOM, Glasgow 2pm (ENTRY FREE)
26.06.2010. GLASGOW JAZZ FESTIVAL “Homegrown Showcase”, RECITAL ROOM 2pm
CONCERTS 2011
Tour in Poland 2011 – debut CD’s promotion (TBC)
17.05.2011. RAMSHORN THEATRE, Glasgow 1:45pm
* for all archive concerts see / Archiwum koncertowe ConcertsNEWS
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MOIQ – GLASGOW JAZZ FESTIVAL 2010
I found small review about Homegrown’s concerts.
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This year MOIQ will be a part of “Homegrown Showcase”. Our concert will take place at Recital Room (City Halls Glasgow) on Saturday the 26th June 2pm.
Hope see you then:)
Mira
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MOIQ – PRESS MEMO AFTER TOUR IN POLAND 2009
Kilka artykułów, które znalazły się na łamach prasy województwa podkarpackiego promujące i zapowiadające naszą trasę a także pokoncertowe recenzje.
A few articles from Subcarpathia newspapers: interviews and previews – promoting our tour , and review after concert in Tarnobrzeg.
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Polskie Radio Rzeszów, audycja “Cały ten zgiełk” z dn. 8 grudnia 2009.
Polish Radio Rzeszów, broadcast “Caly ten zgielk”, 8th December 2009.
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Just few days left till we go to Poland for our Winter Tour :)
Niebawem ponownie zawitamy w Polsce. Miło nam będzie po raz kolejny gościć w podziemiach rzeszowskiego WDK – w klubie “Bohema” jak i w tarnobrzeskim TDK. Dwa nowe miejsca: Centrum Kultury w Ropczycach i Muzeum Podkarpackie w Krośnie odwiedzimy pierwszy raz…i oby nie ostatni :)
Serdecznie zapraszamy na koncerty do Rzeszowa, Ropczyc, Tarnobrzega i Krosna.
Trasa zostanie poprzedzona audycją w Polskim Radio Rzeszów – audycja “Caly ten zgiełk” prowadzona przez panią Elę Lewicką – dnia 8-go Grudnia , start 19:08.
Pozdrawiam i zapraszam.
Mira
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I have just uploaded some mp3s from my quartet’s concert on the 25th June at the City Halls’ Recital Room, Glasgow. Go to the Audio & Video page, where you can listen to all the best bits!
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MOIQ – GLASGOW JAZZ FESTIVAL 2009
Following her successful support slot at last year’s Tomasz Stanko gig, pianist Mira Opalinska returns with new quartet (…)
RECITAL ROOM CITY HALLS GLASGOW , 25th JUNE 2009, 9:00 pm
ALL WELCOME !!!
ZAPRASZAMY !!!
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7-go Kwietnia Polskie Radio Rzeszów “CAŁY TEN ZGIEŁK” zagra kilka utworów promujących zespół Mira Opalinska International Quartet. Audycja potrwa od 20:05 – 22:00, a MOIQ zabrzmi ok. 20:30 !!
Serdeczne podziekowania dla Pani Elżbiety Lewickiej, która co Wtorek prowadzi audycje “CAŁY TEN ZGIEŁK”
On the 7th of April Polskie Radio Rzeszów “CAŁY TEN ZGIEŁK” will be playing some tracks from Mira Opalinska International Quartet promo EP . The broadcast is from 7:05pm – 9pm (English time) and we will probably be about 7:30pm!
Thank you very much to Elżbieta Lewicka who, every Tuesday, prepares the broadcast “CAŁY TEN ZGIEŁK” !
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6-go Kwietnia Radio Szkocja audycja “I AM MUSIC” zagra kilka utworów promujących zespół Mira Opalinska International Quartet. Audycja potrwa od 17:00 do 19:00(polskiego czasu), a MOIQ zabrzmi pod koniec pierwszej połowy!
Jest nam niezmiernie miło, że zagościmy na antenie Radio Szkocja.
Serdecznie dziekuję Pani Magdalenie Patryjas, która co Poniedziałek prowadzi audycję “I AM MUSIC” !
On the 6th of April Radio Szkocja “I AM MUSIC” will be playing some tracks from Mira Opalinska International Quartet promo EP. The broadcast is from 4pm – 6pm and we will probably be about half way through!
Thank you very much to Magdalena Patryjas who, every Monday, prepares the broadcast “I AM MUSIC” !
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FIRST TOUR IN POLAND 2008 (REVIEWS)
In December 2008 MOIQ played on International Jazz Festival in Przemyśl “Jazz bez…” .
“Zespół wykonał w większości kompozycje własne, które publiczność przyjęła bardzo życzliwie, nagradzając młodych ludzi brawami”
Click below to see the review.
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Review of our concert at BOHEMA jazz club, Rzeszów 8.12.2008
“… Z wielką muzyczną kulturą zaprezentowali porcję akustycznego, nastrojowego jazzu”
Click below to read the full review:
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MOIQ – TOMASZ STANKO’S SUPPORT (GLASGOW JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008)
On the 28th June my quartet supported Tomasz Stańko at the Tron theatre during the Glasgow International Jazz Festival and we got a nice review from the Glasgow Herald…
“…the largely improvised music of Glasgow based pianist Mira Opalinska, whose quartet opened the evening concert, sounds through-composed and is as sincerely played as it is satisfying to hear.”
Click below to read the full review:
