Bergcrantz-Ostrowski Unit and Krystyna Stańko step-up for Poland’s Szczecin Jazz Fest
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Our intrepid reporter Martin Longley made it (safely) to Poland and back to see how one of the first European jazz festivals to take place this year balanced safety and art in the pandemic
The Bergcrantz-Ostrowski Unit – Photograph: Sebastian Wołosz
At the close of February, Szczecin Jazz flew out of the traps early, being the first European hybrid liveflesh/livestream festival of 2021. This followed the Brussels Jazz Festival and Sons D’Hiver, in Paris, which had both transformed into solely online versions. Suddenly, the Polish virus regulations were eased in some departments, including a return to 50% audience capacity performances, even if only for a few weeks. Festival organiser, saxophonist and general jazz crusader