UroSoule feat. Agnieszka Iwanska
Chicago, IL | Established. Jan 01, 2006 | INDIE
Music
Press
"...we sometimes need this refreshing break and could benefit from the fresh, vibrant, and often laid-back delivery of Iwanska and Scherer. After all, we boast of the “umbrella” of eclecticism, freshness, and uniqueness of a lot of today’s contemporary jazz. UroSoule reminds us of that need..." - The Smooth Jazz Ride - Ronald Jackson
"...the accompanying musicians are playing at such a high level that even instrumentalists will enjoy this album. Moreover Agnieszka merges with her ??musicians to form a unit. So melt all caveats after the first sounds..." - smooth-jazz. Portal in Germany
Here’s a new jazz vocalist who definitely has impressive pipes. On her debut release, All That I Am (a CD of all original material, I might add), Polish songstress Agnieszka Iwanska demonstrates the ability to really stroke a tune with her oft sultry vocals.
Iwanska weaves into this brand of contemporary jazz the vocal stylings of the likes of, say, Basia, yet still sports her own rather pure, clean, and convincing delivery (as well as the ability to scat a bit). One can easily find some real comfort in that.
After a bouncy entrance with the title track, Iwanska slips into something a bit more seductive with “Love Around,” then swings into a little swaying Brazilian-tinged rhythmic piece called “Thinking of You.” A rather somber, bluesy track called “The Truth” bears a light resemblance to the "Stormy Monday" type of tunes. “Wonderland” is a tune a little heavier on the smooth, if you will, and quite melodic, and “Come To Me”–another very melodic piece--does a nice job of blending the variations in contemporary styles. “Still Alive” is a lively, up-tempo step into the groove mode of contemporary jazz with some sparkling piano to add a nice touch. Later in the CD, Iwanska offers Polish iterations of three of the previous tracks. A pleasantly unique touch.
All That I Am is not the smooth jazz most have come to define as such, but if you like to sample the wide range of contemporary jazz vocals, the rather smooth delivery and style of Agnieszka Iwanska may serve you well. -- Ronald Jackson - www.thesmoothjazzride.com
The other revelation of the evening came from singer Agnieszka Iwanska, who had sounded vocally promising but musically nonchalant at the All Souls festival in 2007.
What a difference three years make. This time, Iwanska came on strong, soaring in a larger-than-life, uncommonly extroverted "Black Coffee" and practically snarling her way through other, more contemporary songs. The size of her alto and the obvious maturation of her delivery have brought her to a new artistic level. Bravo.
- Chicago Tribune 11/2010
In the tradition of vocalists such as Basia and Astrud Gilberto, a fresh new voice on the scene debuts with a truly delightful collection of original songs ranging from jazz to pop to Brazilian to gentle retro funk. Chicago-based Polish American songstress Agnieszka Iwanska’s debut release, ALL THAT I AM, is a brilliant collaboration between Ms. Iwanska and well-known composer/producer/keyboardist Paul Scherer, and just gets better and better with each listen. There are nine different songs on the CD, plus Polish language versions of three of them. Highlights to my ear include the title track, plus “Thinking About You,” featuring some stunning flute work from Shawn Maxwell, and the jazzy “Love Around,” featuring the talented Scott Angst on sax. Overall, Agnieszka Iwanska’s ALL THAT I AM is an impressive musical journey filled with meaningful lyrics, captivating melodies, and an over-riding element of charm that you’ll find impossible to resist! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN
- SmoothJazz.com
Agnieszka Iwanska - "All That I Am"
All That I Am A sure cure for the melancholy blues, Polish-American Chicago-based singer Agnieszka Iwanska's new CD, "All That I Am," is a joyous romp that is like a breath of fresh air with its somewhat retro feel and unabashedly positive romantic spin. Is there a place in this harried modern world for music that seems to exist in an aura of dancing lightness? I sure as heck hope so. Strong songwriting, with music composed by keyboardist Paul Scherer, runs throughout the nine tunes here (three additional Polish language versions round out the twelve tracks). The melange of pop, Brazilian, and ' 70s-influenced funk jazz is delightful ear candy, centered by Scherer's tasteful synthesizers and pianos, and driven by the solid bass work of Scotty Manzo and the underrated Paul Townsend on drums. Saxophonist Scott Angst adds well-conceived solos, while Shawn Maxwell's brilliant flute takes "Thinking About You" into another realm. Songs like the title track, "Live Each Moment," "Love Around," "The Truth" and "Still Alive" and "Wonderland" will restore your joy with a combination of shimmering vocals, smooth sounds and subtle and seductive grooves.
www.myspace.com/agnieszkaiwanska - www.jazzchicago.net - Brad Walseth
Story and Photos by Brad Wasleth, Copyright 2009
The 2009 edition of the All Souls' Day Jazz Festival was held November 9, 2009, at the Chopin Theatre. This annual fest is a celebration of the Polish people's love of life and jazz music. With twelve bands performing on two stages, the evening ran the gamut from a set by one of Poland's favorite jazz guitarist's Jarek Smietana, to enjoyable sets from Krzysztof Pabian's sensitive trio, fusion band Jazzmatess, and poet/actress/puppeteer Kinga Modjeska's intense spoken word appearance with the Scott Angst Quartet, among others. This occasion was also the premiere concert of the Agnieszka Iwanska Quartet's new CD, All That I Am.
Latin-tinged, funky, and complete with synthesizers, the strong new release is somewhat of a throwback to the old school melodic sounds of Basia, Sade and Anita Baker. The album features songs written by Iwanska with her keyboardist Paul Scherer, who wrote and arranged all of the music, while also producing the album. Iwanska's solid and vibrant quartet, led by Scherer, consisted of saxophonist Scott Angst, guitarist Freddie Franken, bassist Stacy McMichael, drummer Paul Townsend and percussionist Paul Abella. The well-rehearsed group provided an excellent base from which Iwanska could soar, and she more than met the task, displaying both a smooth and sensual intonation and phrasing, as well as surprising power.
Energetic numbers like the title track, the bouncy "Thinking About You," and catchy "Wonderland" had the audience smiling and tapping their toes, while the luminous ballad/lullaby "Midnight Moonlight" was equally memorable. The Iwanska/Scherer compositions are filled with light, utterly joyous and as welcome as a summer breeze. A wonderful and truly enjoyable set from this lovely up-and-coming young singer, her band and her collaborator/music director, Scherer. And a delightful night of music put on by our Polish community - I look forward to next year's festival. - www.jazzchicago.net
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Agnieszka Iwanska is an accomplished and gifted jazz vocalist, composer and lyricist. Her sultry and sensitive singing style stands out as a fresh and exciting voice in jazz. As a vocalist, Agnieszka has been hailed as the voice of promise by noted jazz critic Howard Reich from the Chicago Tribune. He also mentioned "the size of her alto and and the obvious maturation of her delivery brings her to a new artistic level". Brad Walseth of jazzchicago.net praised her style and performance by "Like Basia, Iwanska is a Polish singer who has taken on the Brazilian sound pioneered by Astrud Gilberto. She sings her well-written songs showing considerable ability, and charms the crowd with her fresh and honest approach."
Agnieszka is a graduate of Jazz Studies program at University of Katowice, Poland's only accredited jazz program. While in Poland, Agnieszka had the opportunity to perform with some of the country's top jazz talents including Mieczyslaw Szczesniak, Jan Smoczynski, Sebastian Frankiewicz, who play with Michael Urbaniak.
After arriving in the US, Agnieszka formed her own band; a quintet featuring some of Chicagos talented jazz musicians. The Polish TV Polvision and Polsat 2 made a few programs about Agnieszka. Iwanska received an award Polonus 2008 as an Artist of a Year in most prestigious contest among the Polish community in Chicago.
Agnieszka and her band perform throughout the Chicago area. Among her numerous achievements, Agnieszka received first prize in the Krokus Jazz Festival and second prize in the International Competition of Jazz Vocalists in Zamosc, Poland.
Working with keyboardist/composer Paul Scherer, Agnieszka completed her first full-length CD of original material. It's titled All That I Am. CD features songs in English and Polish, all written and arranged by Iwanska and Scherer. All That I Am got excellent reviews from jazz critics. It was on the playlist of 110 radio stations nationwide (including the biggest global platform Smoothjazz.com). It also was number 38 on the Top 50 National Indie Chart for 15 weeks.
Agnieszka was the first Polish born vocalist to sing the National Anthems at the Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Agnieszka & UroSoule were one of the headliners of the Third Ward Jazz Festival in Milwaukee WI, Napervillle Jazz Festival and other Chicagoland area festivals. They also perform in Europe.
Urosoule has recently released 2nd CD "Colors" produced by Paul Scherer. It's getting some great reviews from well-established music critics.
Agnieszka's unique sound is not to be missed. Her unmistakable honesty and lack of pretension stand out as hallmarks of a talent worth getting to know.
The size of the band depends on the venue expectations. It can range from duo to septet
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Polish Version:
Agnieszka Iwanska - wokalistka, autorka tekstw oraz kompozytorka. Jest absolwentka Wydzialu Jazzu i Muzyki Rozrywkowej Akademii Muzycznej w Katowicach. W Polsce pracowala jako solistka, jak rwniez muzyk sesyjny. Wsplpracowala z Mieczyslawem Szczesniakiem, Varius Manx, Janem Smoczynskim (obecnie zespl June), Patrycja Gola, Sebastianem Frankiewiczem, (zespl Michala Urbaniak i Lory Szafran), Tomaszem Krawczykiem (zespl Zakopower), Tomaszem Kalwakiem (zespl Doroty Miskeiwicz). Agnieszka jest laureatka oraz finalistka kilku konkursw jazzowych m.in Krokus Jazz Festiwal w Jeleniej Grze, Spotkania Wokalistw Jazzowych w Zamosciu, Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa. W W 2001 roku wraz zespolem Bieszczadersi wystapila podczas koncertu Debiuty na Festiwalu Polskiej Piosenki w Opolu w 2001.
Agnieszka od kilku lat mieszka i koncertuje w Stanach Zjednoczonych. Zostala nazwana the voice of promise przez krytyka jazzowego Howard Reicha pracujacego dla Chicago Tribune. Brad Walseth z WNUA-FM porwnal styl Agnieszki do Basi Trzetrzelewskiej i Astrud Gilberto. Wokalistka otrzymala nagrode Polonus 2008 w kategorii Artysta Roku. W 2009 roku ukazal sie debiutancki album Agnieszki zatytulowany All That I Am zawierajacy autorski material. Plyta zostala goraco przyjeta przez krytykw muzycznych i szturmem zdobyla playlisty ponad 110 amerykanskich rozglosni radiowych (w tym najwiekszej globalnej platformy internetowej Smoothjazz.com), utrzymujac sie na 38. miejscu na prestizowej amerykanskiej liscie Smooth Jazz Top 50 przez 15 tygodni. Agnieszka Iwanska, jako pierwsza Polka, zaspiewala Polski i Amerykanski Hymn dla 40-tysiecznej publicznosci przed meczem druzyny Cubs, na Stadionie Wrigley Field w Chicago. Byla jedna z gwiazd festiwali jazzowych w Milwaukee WI oraz Naperville IL .
W czerwcu 2013 ukazal sie najnowszy album wokalistki zatytulowany "Colors". Plyta wydana zostala pod nazwa UroSoule. Otrzymuje ona wspaniale recenzje od krytykow na caym swiecie
Band Members
Links
