Mike Parkers Meta

„Meta“ je název nového projektu rodilého Newyorčana Mika Parkera, brněnskému publiku dobře známého skvělého kontrabasisty a skladatele. Mike si tentokráte přizval virtuózního polského pianistu Dominika Wania, který dal Parkerovým kompozicím novou svěží barvu. Na tenorsaxofon opět uslyšíme Mikova věrného sidemana Slawka Pezdu, bicí bude krotit Patryk Dobosz.

Mike Parker's 'Meta' is a new quartet project by the native New York bassist and composer.  While his previous projects have never included any piano or guitar, 'Meta' features piano virtuoso Dominik Wania to add new colors to Parker's compositions.  Parker's music has been described by critics as 'an ingenious synthesis of all musical genres' and his compositions draw on such wide-ranging influences as Charles Mingus, Radiohead, Maurice Ravel, Led Zeppelin, John Coltrane, and David Bowie.

Tenor saxophonist Slawek Pezda- whom Parker has played hundreds of concerts across Europe with as a memeber of his other projects- and drummer Patryk Dobosz provide their energetic musical personalities to the group.  While the quartet played a few concerts earlier in 2017 as 'Beta 4', the beta testing period has been concluded as a success and the group will tour in Fall 2017 as 'Meta', playing concerts in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Mike Parker- double bass, compositions

A native of New York, Mike began his professional career at the age of 17 playing funk and rock gigs in New York City clubs.  Now at the age of 29, he has toured all over Europe and America with both jazz and rock groups, won several international contests and awards, studied with and played with some of the greatest musicians alive, and recorded 3 albums of his own compositions. Mike attended Skidmore College where he studied Evolutionary Psychology and Music and spent a semester abroad studying Jazz Bass at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. After graduating with highest honors, he traveled extensively around Europe before settling in Krakow, Poland. Since then, Mike has had many fruitful collaborations there including recording his second album of original material ('Embrace the Wild'). When not playing in jazz clubs in Krakow, he can be found touring around Europe with his 'Trio Theory' project or the New York-based rock/funk 'Nat Osborn Band'.

Dominik Wania - piano

Winner of the 2014 Fryderyk Awards for Jazz Album of the Year (Ravel), Jazz Artist of the Year, and Jazz Debut of the Year, Dominik Wania is widely considered among the best and most inventive pianists in Poland. Dominik was born in Sanok, Poland and began the study of piano at age three. After graduating from the Academy of Music in Kraków, he was awarded The Helena Foundation Presidential Scholarship at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where he studied with Danilo Perez, Jerry Bergonzi, and George Garzone. He has performed and collaborated with many prominent musicians including Tomasz Stanko, Marcus Miller, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, and Eddie Henderson. Currently he is involved with several significant projects including Maciej Obara International Quartet and Noise Trio.

Sławek Pezda- tenor sax

Mike Parker's saxophonist of choice, Pezda has been playing with Parker for over 5 years as a member of the 'Trio Theory', 'Unified Theory', and now 'Meta' projects.  Born in Kolbuszowa, Poland, Slawek Pezda received his Master's Degree from the Krakow Academy of Music in the Jazz and Modern Music Department. After 10 years of playing the alto saxophone, Pezda decided to make the switch to tenor, drawing inspiration from such saxophonists as Mats Gustafsson, Evan Parker, John Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, and Albert Ayler. In concert, he has earned a reputation for his long, intense, often cacophonous solos. 

Pezda is the winner of the 2014 Art of Improvisation Competition, the 12th Baszta Jazz Festival Competition, 2010 Azoty Tarnow International Jazz Competition (with Pezda/Gaweda duo and as a soloist), 2011 Jazz Juniors International Jazz Competition (with PeGaPoFo), and the 38th 'Key To Career' Competition (with PeGaPoFo).  He can also be heard playing with PeGaPoFo, Pezda/Gaweda Duo, Silberman New Sextet, and his own trio 'The Flash!'.

Patryk Dobosz- drums

Originally from Radom, Patryk Dobosz r eceived his Master's Degree from the Krakow Academy of Music in the Jazz and Modern Music Department along with Slawek Pezda.  Known for his virtuosic technique and ability to play a wide range of musical styles, he has appeared as a side-man and recording artist with many prominent musicians including Randy Brecker, Joel Frahm, High Definition, Janusz Muniak, Wayne Escoffery, and manye more.