BYDGOSZCZ HARMONICA MEETING

The Harmonica Bridge On The Brda And Vistula Rivers
The International Bydgoszcz-Torun Harmonica Bridge Festival organized by the Municipal Centre of Culture in Bydgoszcz and Dom Muz in Torun has become a stalwart musical event in the region. When the festival took place for the very first time in 2001, nobody thought that in a few short years the small instrument yet versatile that is the harmonica would bring two of the region's largest cities together.

The harmonica was developed in Europe in the early part of the 19th century, during a period of intense interest in free reed instruments. Free reed instruments like the sheng were fairly common throughout East Asia for centuries and were relatively well-known in Europe for some time. Around 1820, there was an explosion of new free reed designs in Europe and North America. While Christian Frederic Ludwig Buschmann is often cited as the inventor of the harmonica in 1821, it is almost certain that the instrument was simultaneously developed by several inventors working independently. Mouth-blown free reed instruments appeared in the United States, the United Kingdom and in Europe at roughly the same time.

At present, the harmonica is growing in popularity, which also explains why the International Harmonica Bridge Festival has been gaining in strength with every year, luring spectators from all over the region, Europe and even North America to come pay a visit to Bydgoszcz and Torun. But it all started out rather inconspicuously...The idea for such an event popped into the Municipal Centre Of Culture director's head in May 2000 during a performance by Slawek Wierzcholski held at the Wegliszek Artist's Cafe as a part of the Book Fair. It was also then that Marek publicly asked Slawek what he thought of the idea. Slawek quickly replied 'why not?', and that is how the festival came into being. 'We wanted to create an event that would present the harmonica as a versatile instrument used in a number of musical genres. As it turned out, that wasn't very hard to do because it really is. Besides concerts, we also decided to add a contest and night time jam session to the bill', says Marek Stankiewicz. The idea was fully supported by Slawek Wierzcholski, who joined the team and brought to the table his expertise and became the festival's artistic director.

The fruit of their cooperation would be shown to the world in September 2001, which is when the National Bydgoszcz Harmonica Meeting took place for the first time. The event has been evolving each and every year since, and has staged performances from Sławek Wierzcholski with Nocna Zmiana Bluesa, the Con Brio harmonica trio, Zygmunt Zgraja with the Johann Strauss Symphonic Orchestra, Green Grass, Beata Kossowaka, Bartek Łęczycki, Greg Szłapczyński (France), Steve Baker (Great Britain), Chris Jones (USA) , Abi Wallenstein (Geramny) with the international The Old Time Band, Dżem, Piotr Biskupski, Jarosław Śmietana, Sugar Blue, Romek Puchowski, Irek Dudek, J.J. Band, Obstawa Prezydenta, Tipsy Divers, Dubska, Family Style (Italy), Free Blues Band, Hans Theessink Band (Holland, Austria, Zimbabwe), Eddie Martin (Great Britain), Coast Blues Band, Tortilla, The Rhythm Junks (Belgium) and many others.

This year, the organizers have found the perfect formula for the event based on their experience. The aim is to keep things as diverse as possible. On the one hand, concerts will be held outdoors in the Old Market Square and an amphitheatre, where festival-goers will have the opportunity to listen to lighter, more entertaining music, while on the other, the more sublime and classical acts will be performing at the picturesque Palace in Ostromecko located on the road that leads to Torun.

Because the Municipal Centre of Culture has been noticing a rise in interest in the harmonica among young people, one day workshops conducted by renowned musicians were set up to meet the needs of those who want to learn how to play the instrument. Greg Szłapczyński, Steve Baker, Sławek Wierzcholski, Bartek Łęczycki, and Eddie Martin are among those who have taken part in these workshops in previous years. The demand for such a form of learning is very high because there is no professionally run school in Poland that trains future harmonica players. Many a harmonica player had to learn everything on his own, so the workshops are a great opportunity for them to ask additional questions and see for themselves how much they actually know. It is also worth noting that participation in the workshops is free of charge. What's more, the organizers also book economic accommodation for all those who want to take part. The workshops are concluded by the National Harmonica Contest. The main prize is a six hour recording session in Radio PiK's studio and a handsome amount of money.

The third integral part of the Harmonica Bridge is the jam session, at which all aspiring harmonica players have the opportunity to observe for themselves true masters of the instrument on stage, which is an invaluable learning experience. The organizers also took things one step further by coming up with a formula in which the festival's headliners perform together with the local blues band, Green Grass, the result of which are sessions which go on well into the night and evoke many cheers from the very active and sup portative crowd on hand at the Wegliszek Artist's Cafe. The harmonica brings people of all generations and walks of life together!

'Great organization of all events tied to the festival has become a norm now' is what a journalist from Twój Blues monthly quarterly once wrote. The editor in chief of the same magazine had the following to say about the festival: 'the Harmonica Bridge Festival has an aura surrounding it all its own and stands out from other festivals. I envy what the organizers have accomplished and observe their efforts with great interest'. In turn, Zdzislaw Pająk of Radio PiK adds that the festival goes a long way in proving that ' we have great music fans in our region who know how to react to the music presented at the festival. What's more, the diversity presented at the festival and the impressive line ups are enough to make the event more and more popular among both seasoned harmonica veterans and those who come out of curiosity for the very first time to see for themselves what all the fuss is about'. 'This year, we have added something new to the program: theatrical performances for children in which the harmonica is used', says Marek Stankiewicz.

So, after all the recommendations, there is nothing left for us to do but invite you to take part in the festival, or the National Harmonica Contest (all entries must be mage by August 25th via www.mok.bydgoszcz.pl)

The Following Artists Have taken Part in the Festival in the Past Eight Years:

Keith Dunn
Adam Wendt
Przemysław Raminiak
Piotr Biskupski
Bogdan Rypina & Easy Rider
The Beggars (Słowacja)
Michał Kielak & Dubska
Julian Jackson (GB) & Los Angeles Trio
Teatr "Wielkie Koło"
Memo Gonzales (USA) & The Bluescasters (Niemcy)
Livin' Blues Xperience (Holandia) & Francois Spannenburg (Francja)
Łukasz Rumpel, Łukasz Wiśniewski z zespołem "Szulerzy"
Franz Chmel (Austria)
"Hootin' the Blues" (Niemcy)
Łukasz Wiśniewski & Doktor Blues
Boogie Chilli
Blueszcz Blues Band
Orkiestra Salonowa pod dyr. Marka Czekały

Harmonica Workshops have been conducted by:

Greg Szłapczyński
Steve Baker
Sławek Wierzcholski
J.J.Milteau

Past Winners of the Harmonica Contest:

Marcin Dyjak ( Stalowa Wola)
Maciej Zaworonek (Bielsko Biała)
Mariusz Obijalski (Olsztyn)
Sławomir Nowodworski (Lublin)
Łukasz Rumpel (Gliwice)
Łukasz Wiśniewski ( Wielkie Drogi)
Roman Badeński ( Gdynia)
Dawid Wydra
Marcin Dyjak
Norbert Ryszczuk
Bartosz Walos

The sixth edition of the festival will be held in two cities, namely in Bydgoszcz and Torun. Thanks to the fact that the afore mentioned cities have joined forces for the sixth edition of the festival, this year the festival's official name will be the International Bydoszcz-Torun Harmonica Bridge Festival. The festival is very likely to develop in the years to come because former editions have proven that entertainers from Poland, Europe and the USA are very keen on visiting both Bydgoszcz and Torun.