2003-2009
JRM lineup from Autumn 2003:
Katarzyna Aszyk, first lead vocals
Tomasz Urban, fiddle, backing vocals
Mariusz Graczyk, accordion
Przemysław Wawrzyniak, pipes, flutes and whistles, bodhran and percussion
Michał Jankowski, guitar, flute, backing vocals
Witold Wojtkowiak, drums
Mariusz Sprutta, bass guitar, whistles, second lead vocals
2003/2004
The band have become aware of the need for change: shortening and simplifying the name, bringing in more musicians and more instruments,
and making recordings that would sum up the period since 1996, the year that the band's first and only
cassette came out The J.R.M. Band
"In the Pub". Because people were having problems pronouncing
the name The JRM Band (including respectable MCs), the name gets shortened to the three-letter JRM, which sound alike in most languages.
The personnel changes in 2003 are caused by Wojtek Jachowski's developing career and the concerts of his other group Liquid Lunch, as well
as Zbyszek Rybak's solo jazz-funk Sound Explorer project. Wojtek is replaced by singer Kasia Aszyk, and the fiddle
position is taken over by Tomek Urban. Additionally, one great musician joins the lineup: Przemysław Wawrzyniak, who has cooperated
with the band for many years, on Scottish pipes, whistles, flutes, bodhran and percussion.
In autumn of 2003 JRM starts working on new repertoire and arrangements, with a view to record a cd album. We'll know how it
turns out when it comes out ...
NEWS 2004
6-7.04.2004
Carlos Núñez surprise visit in Poznań
[photographs]
World famous piper and flute player from Galicia in Spain Carlos Núñez paid a surprise visit in Poznań
recently. He had been in contact with us about a possible concert at the
Poznań Celtic Festival, and
called us on April 6. During Carlos' visit to Poznań we invited him to participate in our regular
rehearsals, organised various important meetings for him, took him to the
Museum of Musical Instruments
and the Maison de la Bretagne
in Poznań's Old Market Square and walked him around the town. At the day's
end Carlos met with traditional Poznań region piper Marian Wasielewski in the Fireplace Room of the
Zak Club
and heard his recital. This was followed by a close inspection of Marian Wasielewski's pipes, which,
incidentally, he had made himself.
Radio Merkury broadcaster Ryszard Gloger also participated in the meeting,
and he recorded a short interview with Carlos.
Later on, the JRM and Carlos Núñez had an impromptu session.
What a pity there was no tv crew around to film it. Bidding each other farewell the next day the two parties
did not rule out future common projects, which bodes well for the future.
[photographs]
12.05.2004
Przemysław Wawrzyniak, our piper, flute and whistle player, also playing bodhran and percussion, moves to Sweden.
09.07.2004
Before vacations we are going to Nowogard (North-Western Poland) to take part in The 8th International Film, Music and Painting Festival - SUMMER WITH THE MUSES 2004
, a serial event organized by Culture Centre in Nowogard. (09-16.07.2004). We are starting a cycle of out-door stage concerts.
25.09.2004
JRM helping Poznań's Power Distributors celebrate their 100th anniversary
[photographs]
JRM perform for the people of Poznań and visitors at a party celebrating the 100th anniversary of electrical energy distribution in the Poznań region.
The following are the organisers:
Grupa Energetyczna ENEA S.A.
Poznańska Energetyka Cieplna S.A.
Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne - Zachód Sp. z o.o.
Zakłady Produkcyjno-Remontowe Energetyki Poznań - Energetyka-Czerwonak S.A.
Zespół Elektrociepłowni Poznańskich S.A.
The event is produced by Poznańskie Ośrodki Sportu i Rekreacji - MALTA
Details of the event named POWER DISTRIBUTORS FOR THE CITIZENS OF POZNAŃ are available at http://www.enea.pl
This Saturday evening event is open to the public:
18.00 Opening
18.15 JRM
19.15 Reni Jusis
20.15 Quizzes
20.30 Perfect
22.00 Closing
Venue: open graund at the Malta-Ski slope on Lake Malta
[photographs]
10.12.2004
JRM - a guest of ERASMUS DAY at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
The band performs for students of Poznań and participants of the Socrates/Erasmus Programme.
On this occasion JRM plays a vivid and well-tested repertoire of Irish and Scottish songs and instrumentals including some musical favourites from other selected European countries.
[photographs]
NEWS 2005
09.01.2005
Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy
JRM perform in Lusowo (HUBERTUS Horse-riding Club) near Poznań, for Jurek Owsiak's idea of Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy. The 13th edition of WOŚP collects money to buy new medical equipment for infant hospitals in Poland.
[photographs]
28.01.2005
Nice but not only chamber concert
JRM and their friend Piotr Zawadzki, well-known theatre actor, creator and owner of the Klub ZA KULISAMI (BACKSTAGE Club) in Poznań, celebrate the 10th anniversary of the club.
Great hospitality, formidable audience and unique atmosphere - that's what you can find there.
All the best to you Piotr and your ZA KULISAMI!
[photographs]
17.03.2005
St. Patrick's Day 2005 in Potato Land
A Holy Day of da Irish patron JRM perform and celebrate very officially. Da group play for the Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Poznań and Bank Zachodni WBK and dyer guests. Everything tak place in CZERWONY FORTEPIAN Restaurant near Auld Square Market in Poznań. Only tae of da kindness of Piotr Jasiczek, a photographer frae Gazeta Poznańska (local newspaper), wi have got twa photos frae da party. Slainte mhath! :-)
[only twa photos]
02.04.2005, 21.37 - 08.04.2005, 10.00
JRM live through time of the death and mourning of Pope John Paul II
No concerts, no rehearsals, no needless words, lost in meditation we pray:
Salve Regina, mater misericordiae: vita dulcedo, et spes nostra salve.
Ad te clamamus, exsules, fili Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, advocata nostra illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis, Virgo Maria.
(Gregorian Chant, a funeral song in Poland)
17.04.2005
DRAMA 2005 Festival
Przemysław Wawrzyniak comes back to the lineup after one year break. Seven members of JRM perform in KUŹNIA Music Club for the participants of the 11th DRAMA Festival in Bydgoszcz. That's our 11th concert for this festival! The band plays vigourously in the scenery of light minimum and music maximum and the audience cannot stop dancing.
[photographs]
29.04.-1.05.2005
Koszalin i okolice
At the turn of April and May 2005 JRM travels to the Pomorze Środkowe (North-Western Poland). On 29.04. the band performs in Koszalin's Irish Pub. It's the first concert of the JRM in Koszalin. 30.04. Wi tak an active part in birthday ball of our friend in Białogard (Whiteburgh). Wi recall with affection a vodka and jam session with Czarda - a Polish Highlander folk group from Szczawnica Zdrój! :-) 11.05. European Picnic - with Samhain - a Celtic music band from Lublin and Setanta - an Irish dance group from Warsaw, JRM plays another very successful out-door concert in Koszalin.
[Irish Pub Koszalin - photographs]
[European Picnic in Koszalin - photographs]
24.05.2005
Rose Courtyard - JRM's 15th anniversary photo shoot
On the occassion of JRM's 15th anniversary, the band take part in a photo shoot made by Janusz Kurzawski in the renovated Rose Courtyard of Poznań's Emperor's Castle - Culture Centre in Poznań - against the background of the castle walls and at the fountain modeled on the famous (13th century) Fountain of the Lions, to be admired at the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.
[photo shoot pictures]
7.06.2005
Visit the redesigned JRM website!
10.06.2005
Concert celebrating the award ceremony of the Golden Scythe 2005 in the town of Buk
The JRM perform for Ryszard Miler, winner of the 11th Golden Scythe award, a veteran activist of the Buk chapter of the Polish Tourist Society, and for the wonderful Buk audience.
[photographs]
16.06.2005
30th St. John's Fair, JRM's 15th anniversary
During the 30th St. John's Fair 2005 in Poznań 15 years old JRM plays an evening concert in the Old Market Square for all Poznanians and tourists visiting the town. In the final part of the concert JRM performs with the Irish dance duo Emerald Dance: Agnieszka Śmiechowska and Anna Niedźwiedź, an ensamble established at Anna Niedźwiedź's Ballet Studio in Poznań.
[photographs]
[video clips]
22.07.2005
The 8th Cistercian Festival in Wągrowiec
Taking a break from their recording session JRM goes to Wągrowiec to take part in the 8th Cistercian Festival (22-23.07.2005), in historical stream called
Wągrowiec's connections with Europe before Cistercians. The festival is a serial event organized by the Regional Museum in Wągrowiec and the old Cistercian monastery - the Parish of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary in Wągrowiec.
[JRM concert in photographs]
[photographs of the 8th Cistercian Festival in Wągrowiec]
6.08.2005
Visit VIDEO on the JRM website!
b>13.08.2005
Białogard Days (12-14.08.2005)
JRM perform on the second day of the event alng with KOMA, TERNO - the Musical Gypsy Theatre and Trebunie Tutki
27-28.08.2005
Knight's events in the end of August
27.08.2005 JRM perform in Zielona Góra, in the Cztery Róże dla Lucienne Club, for the Irish Knight's Event, and 28.08.2005 in Kostrzyn by the Odra, during the 6th Days of Kostrzyn Fortress
10.2005
Recording, searching, experimenting
Kate, the singer, moved to Portugal for six months. September has been a time of closed parties and concerts and long sessions in the recording studio. JRM are practicing in a bigger lineup: the group welcomes accordionist Wojtek Jurgiel (key-driven accordion and classic accordion), who take the place of Mariusz Graczyk and - for a quick period - pianist Romuald Andrzejewski (keyboards).
27.10.2005
Autumn season begins - Irish party and a new lineup
27.10.2005 JRM perform in The Dubliner Pub in Poznań. Kate MacAsh is in Portugal, and the band are coping with the repertoire in a new lineup: Tom Urban - fiddle; Wojtek Jurgiel - accordions; Przemysław Wawrzyniak - Scottish pipes, whistles, bodhran and percussion; Romuald Andrzejewski - keyboards; Michał Jankowski - guitars; Witek Wojtkowiak - drums; Mariusz Sprutta - bass guitar, vocals, whistle, parlando.
This experimental pub concert is squeezed between jam sessions, celtic dances and Irish food tasting.
The party is organized by the Polish-Irish Society in Poznań and The Dubliner Pub, al. Niepodległości 80/82, Poznań.
29.11.2005
Chopin and Celtic music
JRM perform in MASKA Club and Restaurant in Warsaw. The club located in the centre of the Polish capital and co-owned by the popular actor Michał Milowicz is frequented by well-known artists, sport celebrities, journalists and politicians (both on the stage and in the audience). This time JRM play a special repertoire featuring a fusion of Fryderyk Chopin's music, traditional Celtic tunes and jazz improvisation.
Line-up: Tom Urban - fiddle; Wojtek Jurgiel - accordions; Przemysław Wawrzyniak - Scottish pipes, whistles, bodhran and percussion; Michał Jankowski - guitars; Witek Wojtkowiak - drums; Mariusz Sprutta - bass guitar, vocals, whistle
Guests: Artur Grudziński - keyboards and Miłka Małecka - vocals
2.12., 8.12. and 17.12.2005
Brogans Irish Pub
Visit a new Irish pub in Poznan - BROGANS, ul. Szewska 20 A!
NEWS 2006
7-8.01.2006
Kate comes back to the lineup after her study break in Portugal and JRM perform twice in Poznań in the beginning of January: 7.01. in Brogans Irish Pub and 8.01. for the 14th edition of Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy on the WOŚP's outdoor stage in front of the CASTLE Culture Centre in Poznań. Despite extreme weather conditions (minus 8 degrees Celsius) the band plays vigourously while the audience cannot stop dancing.
JRM lineup since January 2006:
Katarzyna Aszyk, vocals
Tomasz Urban, fiddle
Wojciech Jurgiel, accordions
Przemysław Wawrzyniak, pipes, flutes and whistles, bodhran and percussion
Michał Jankowski, guitar, flute
Witold Wojtkowiak, drums
Mariusz Sprutta, bass guitar, whistles, vocals
4-5.02.2006
Gig in Brogans Irish Pub in Poznań and Burns Night in Bydgoszcz
Saturday's gig in Brogans Irish Pub is a good opportunity to take part in a photo shoot of the new lineup. [photographs]
Sunday 5.02. the band perform for the Polish-Scottish Society in Bydgoszcz in KUŹNIA Music Club celebrating Burns' Night. Robert Burns was a poet, balladeer and Scotland's favourite son. Each year on January 25, the great man's presumed birthday, Scots everywhere take time out to honour their national icon. Burns' Night is a night for all Scots and people who love Scotland and Scottish culture. JRM and the Polish-Scottish Society in Bydgoszcz celebrate a full-blown Burns Supper with live music and dance, reading poetry, eating haggis and drinking whisky.
11-19.03.2006
Saint Patrick's week in Poznań
Saint Patrick's Day is a very special day around the world, but it is even more special for the fans of Celtic music. Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, brought Christianity to the pagan Celts around 1500 years ago. Whether you are Irish, or just wish that you were, remembering Saint Patrick on March 17th is a special thing to celebrate. Poznań is the place where Saint Patrick's Day has become Saint Patrick's week! Thanks to the organizers (Polish-Irish Society in Poznań, Irish Culture Foundation and Brogans Irish Pub), JRM takes active part in the nine-day celebrations (concerts, dance workshops, ceili, Irish cusine week, Irish fair). JRM plays four concerts and appears in a TV programme Saint Patrick's Day with father Norbert Kuczko - a Dominican from Poznań, Krzysztof Schramm - the chair man of the P-IS and president of the ICF, and dancers from Dance School ISTA Poznań: Katarzyna Bugajak, Michalina Katulska, Magdalena Mak and Justyna Piwońska. The programme is run by Edyta Król from TVP3 Poznań (producer). Screening: Satrurday, March 18th, TVP3 Regional, 22.05
[photgraphs of the St. Patrick's week opening party - 11.03.2006.]
[photgraphs of the Saint Patrick's Day - TV programme realization - 16.03.2006.]
[photgraphs of Saint Patrick's concert in Śmigiel - 17.03.2006.]
The JRM Band thank the Irish Culture Foundation for inviting us to take part in the 2006 Saint Patrick celebrations. The band acknowledge the warm reception of the Śmigiel community: the decoration (the letters JRM on the back stage wall and the cloverleaf logo), the pastry, tea and coffee backstage and the lively audience, flowers and an invitation to the Śmigiel Day events in June 2006. This kind of thing doesn't happen too often. Let's give a big hand to Śmigiel! And let's extend Saint Patrick's blessing on Śmigiel!
7.04.-31.05.2006
JRM in April and May 2006
As of March 2006 the band has the following lineup:
Katarzyna Aszyk, vocals
Tomasz Urban, fiddle
Wojciech Jurgiel, accordions (button and keyboard)
Artur Grudziński, piano, keyboards
Przemysław Wawrzyniak, Scottish pipes, flutes, whistles, bodhran and percussion
Michał Jankowski, guitars, classical flute, whistles
Witold Wojtkowiak, drums
Mariusz Sprutta, bass guitar, vocals, whistles
It turns out that a repertoire inspired by Celtic standards (Scotland, Ireland, Brittany) relying heavily on the sound of typical Celtic instruments (pipes, flutes, whistles, bodhran, fiddle, accordions) and supported by spacious electronic keyboards and a rich rhythm section is appreciated by a more and more varied audience. JRM's April concerts take place among other venues at the KUBRYK Pub in Bydgoszcz - 07.04. [KUBRYK photographs]; ]; in the Little Cracow that is in Chełmno - 8.04. [Chełmno photos]; 12th time at the Bydgoszcz DRAMA 2006 Festival (KUŹNIA) - 8.04. [DRAMA 2006 photos]. JRM goes to Ciechocinek with an Easter concert for the guests of Pod Tężniami Sanatorium, and on the weekend 20-22.04 JRM plays for a whisky tasting party in Komorniki near Poznań - 20.04.; goes to the CELTIC Restaurant and Pub in Wrocław - 21.04. followed by a Scottish-Polish wedding in Jurków near Tymbark in the Polish Beskid Wyspowy Mountains - 22.04. [Jurków photos] and then play at the opening of the painting exhibition, picnic and banquet.
In their music the JRM don't neglect the Polish musical legacy. Their instrumental medleys include quotes from Chopin's preludes, mazurkas and nocturns. JRM's spontaneous improvisations and contact with the audience guarantee great enjoyment and artistic satisfaction for all even the most fussy listeners. It is therefore, as one would expect of Celtica, primarily fun and dance music, but at the same time, as the musicians themselves sincerely assure everybody, it is something to listen to.
June 2006
Open-air concerts
10.06. JRM perform in Starogard Gdański during Starogard Days 2006 and 26.06. in Poznań at the Bread Festival, a nationwide Związek Harcerstwa Rzeczypospolitej (Polish Scout Organization) rally on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Poznań June 1956 Uprising.
[photographs from Starogard Gdański]
[photographs of the Poznań June 1956 Uprising anniversary concert]
July 2006
About JRM's photographer
In Bydgoszcz, river port city, where girls are so pretty
JRM met sweet Miłka - Artie's wife
She had her camera, great frame feeling gift, et cetera
And since that time she photographs the JRM's life
[Black White Sepia - a photo shoot of the JRM made by Miłka Małecka]
11-13.08.2006
Chant and Celtic music
JRM perform in Świnoujście at the 12th WIATRAK 2006 Chant Festival in three concerts: 1. the Windmill Debutes 2006 - Night Singing, 2. the International Windmill cruise on the MS Adler ferry, Denmark, and 3. the Festival laureates and guests concert.
WIATRAK 2006 Festival is frequented by well-known chant artists. This time JRM play a special repertoire featuring a fusion of improvised Celtic music and traditional chant tunes.
[JRM at the WIATRAK 2006 Festival] in the photographs made by Piotr Miazga (http://www.pmiazga.fotolog.pl) and Artur Kubasik (http://smolorz.blox.pl)
Septembre 2006
Minumum of words - maximum of the photographic documentation
[17.09. Mierzęcin, The Castle, whisky tasting]
[19.09. Bronisławów, Magellan Conference Centre, Scottish Party]
[20.09. Kalisz, Beka Pub, concert]
07.10.2006
Band Aid cocert for Ania Szyba in Warsaw
07.10. JRM plays in Warsaw in the Metal Cave Club during the Band Aid charity concert organized for Ania Szyba - a Polish student of the Viadrina University in Germany who was hurt in a serious traffic accident in June 2006. All the raised funds are passed for the medical treatment of Ania.
21.10.2006
Autumn Celtic pub season begins
27.10. JRM begin the Autumn pub season in the Irish Brogans Pub in Poznań.
The concert opens an interview for the local television station - WTK.
The band perform with a new and rearranged repertoire, in a strong lineup:
Tom Urban - fiddle;
Michael Jankowski - guitars;
Witek Wojtkowiak - drums;
Woy Jurgiel - button accordion;
Artie Grudziński - piano, keyboards;
Mariusz Sprutta - bass guitar, vocals, whistle, parlando;
Przemek Wawrzyniak - Scottish pipes, flutes, whistles, bodhran and percussion.
In the final part of the concert JRM play a new version of Whisky In The Jar featuring electric guitar metal solos played by the band's sound engineer, a rock guitarist Krzysztof Łangowski, this time performing as a guest musician. Tapadh leibh Kris!
16.12.2006
Irish Christmas Eve Party
JRM perform with a traditional Celtic repertoire and Cristmas carols. The band plays for the last time in a lineup of seven:
Tom Urban - fiddle;
Michael Jankowski - guitars;
Witek Wojtkowiak - drums;
Woy Jurgiel - button accordion;
Artie Grudziński - piano, keyboards;
Mariusz Sprutta - bass guitar, vocals, whistle, parlando;
Przemek Wawrzyniak - Scottish pipes, flutes, whistles, bodhran and percussion.
NEWS 2007
January 2007
In January 2007 Przemysław Wawrzyniak, the man who is capable of playing
virtually anything (Scottish pipes, flutes and whistles, bodhran and
percussion) and Wojciech Jurgiel, a musician whose buttons have a soul
(key-driven accordion, classic accordion), leave the band and move on to
start their own musical projects. Tapadh leibh Przemek and Wojtek! Pity!
They will be replaced by our co-operating musicians: Krzysztof Ryszard Brych
(whistles, accordion, saxophone), Jarosław Buczkowski (key-driven
accordion) i Tomasz Ujma (Scottish pipes).
As of January 2007 JRM perform in a lineup of five:
Tom Urban - fiddle;
Artie Grudziński - piano, keyboards;
Witek Wojtkowiak - drums;
Michael Jankowski - guitars;
Mariusz Sprutta - bass guitar, vocals, whistle, parlando;
and supported for special occasions by the cooperating musicians: Tomasz Ujma (Scottish pipes), Jarosław Buczkowski (key-driven accordion) and Krzysztof Ryszard Brych (whistles, accordion, saxophone).
February 2007
St. Patrick Day, Week, Month are coming soon. The band play the private parties only and prepare for the March gigs.
03.03.2007. - Irish Brogans Pub
03.03. JRM begin the March concert series in the Irish Brogans Pub in
Poznań. The band play a celtic-jazz repertoire, in the following lineup:
Tom Urban - fiddle;
Michael Jankowski - guitar;
Witek Wojtkowiak - drums;
Artie Grudziński - piano, keyboards;
Mariusz Sprutta - bass guitar, vocals, parlando;
and Krzysztof Ryszard Brych as a guest musician - whistles, accordion and
saxophone.
In the final part of the concert JRM play a suite version of Whisky In The
Jar featuring solos by Tom (fiddle), Artie (piano), Krzysztof Ryszard
(sax) and an electric guitar metal solo played by the band's sound engineer and rock guitarist Krzysztof Łangowski.
[Brogans 03.03.2007. - photographs]
During the gig the band get together with Stanisław Strykowski, a faithful
JRM fan who has recently created a depiction of the JRM in concert built
from LEGO blocks and photographed it. One of his shots is featured on our
home page and more images are presented in the Gallery. Tapadh leibh Stan!
March 2007 - Saint Patrick's Month
9-17.03.2007 - on the MS Polonia ferry
Saint Patrick's Day is a very special day around the world, but it is even more special for the fans of Celtic music. Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, brought Christianity to the pagan Celts around 1500 years ago. Whether you are Irish, or just wish that you were, remembering Saint Patrick on March 17th is a special thing to celebrate. This time JRM perform at sea, on the MS Polonia ferry (Świnoujście-Ystad), together with
the dancers of the Ellorien group.
[Photographs by Przemysław Łuczak - Event Factory]
23-24.03.2007 - Bydgoszcz
Last two concerts in March the band perform in a lineup of six:
Tom Urban - fiddle;
Krzysztof Ryszard Brych - whistles, accordion, saxophone;
Artie Grudziński - piano, keyboards;
Witek Wojtkowiak - drums;
Michael Jankowski - guitars;
Mariusz Sprutta - bass guitar, vocals;
in the Kubryk Pub and Estrada Stge Bar in Bydgoszcz - 13th time at the Bydgoszcz Student Theatre Meeting DRAMA 2007.
[Estrada Stage Bar - photographs]
Spring 2007
23.04.-29.06.2007
JRM's Spring concerts take place among other venues at the Galeria Atelier and Anna de Croy Rrestaurant in Słupsk. Beside the Celtic style company parties JRM perform also at St. John's Night in Damasławek, and Summer Festival in Luboń.
Summer 2007
9-11.08.2007
Chant and Celtic music
JRM perform in Świnoujście at the 12th WIATRAK 2007 Chant Festival 1. the Gala Concert of the Great Sailing Ships Festival 2007 (9.08.); 2. Night Singing (10.09.), 3. the International Windmill cruise Świnoujście-Bornholm (11.09.).
WIATRAK 2007 Festival is frequented by well-known chant artists. JRM play a repertoire featuring a fusion of Celtic music and traditional chant tunes.
[photographs of the 12th International Chant Festival WIATRAK 2007]
24.08.2007
JAKUBY 2007
JAKUBY 2007 - 5th Jakub Böhme's Fair in Zgorzelec is an encounter with history and art, mystery and magic of past ages. Celtic music connects perfectly with the climate of the event. That's why this time JRM presents a historically and geographically varied repertoire featuring the evolution of the music and describing the various Celtic regions (from the Midle Ages to the present and through Ireland, Scotland and Brittany).
[JAKUBY 2007 - Sebastian Klebaniuk's photographs]
[JAKUBY 2007 by Robert Ostrowski]
Autum 2007
14.09.-31.10.2007
Beside the wedding in Oaza Restaurant in Poznań, the Celtic style company parties, banquets in Szczyrk, Podstolice, and Jansówka - a Farming and Horseback Riding Estate in Kuślin, JRM perform also at Gospoda 6 in Pyskowice, Highlander Pub in Opole.
12.10. JRM perform at an Irish Party in Bemowo Culture Centre in Warsaw, together with Brendan Monaghan - one of Ireland's great singers and songwriters and Niall McClean - fiddle virtuoso and traditional Irish music teacher, who recently won the all Ireland fiddle championships, and Setanta - a Warsaw based Irish dance group.
26.10. JRM play in Irish Brogans Pub, Poznań's live Celtic music centre. The band begins the autum season with a new repertoire and in an experimental lineup:
Diarmuid Johnson - Irish flutes, whistles;
Krzysztof Łangowski - electric guitar, sound engineering;
Kris Richie Brych - keyboards, whistles, accordion, harmonica, saxophone;
Wit Wojtkowiak - drums;
Michael Jankowski - guitars;
Mariusz Sprutta - bass guitar, vocals.
[photographs from Gospoda 6 in Pyskowice] - shots by: Artur Wieczorek
[photographs from Bemowo Culture Centre in Warsaw] - shots by: Alicja Szczypta
November 2007
Recording
November is a time of rehearsals and sessions in the recording studio. JRM are practising their repertoire and arrangements. Guest musicians joining JRM are Diarmuid Johnson (Irish flutes and whistles) and Krzysztof Łangowski (electric guitar, sound engineering), who is also our recording studio executive. The work in the recording studio is geared towards producing a CD album.
Scheduled indices (14):
1. Gaelic poetry introduction
2. Foggy dew (Irish air)
3. Flowers of Red Hill & Congress reel (Irish reels)
4. Noddin' Song (Scottish song)
5. From Highland to Arabia (reel-rock written by Mariusz Sprutta)
6. Annie Laurie (Scottish love song)
7. Return to Milltown & Lads of Laois (Irish reels)
8. Cosa gan bhróga (Gaelic song)
9. The black piper & The golden bird story (Welsh and Breton waltz written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych)
10. The cliffs of Doneen (Irish ballad)
11. Black bird (slip jig written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych)
12. Whisky in the jar (Irish song)
13. Let the salmon swim free & Haste to the wedding (two jigs' medley: a jig written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych and traditional Irish one)
14. Cosa gan bhróga (Gaelic groove)
December 2007
Best Wishes from JRM: a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2008 Year!
Vaidhtéir mianta ó JRM: Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath 2008 Úr dhuit
Najlepsze życzenia od JRM: Wesołych Świąt i Szczęśliwego Nowego 2008 Roku
Poles are a nation of fun lovers who enjoy festivities, traditions and old customs that go back many centuries, rituals, especially the magical and colourful traditions connected with Christianity and also those dating back to pagan times. A well-established Polish tradition in December is Mikołajki (St. Nicholas Day, December 6th). This day St. Nicholas brings small gifts to children and then on Christmas he comes back with presents for the whole family.
7.12. JRM bring musical gifts for their own audience in Irish Brogans Pub, Poznań's live Celtic music centre. This the first time the band perform new tunes and songs, a mix of original compositions and standards (pieces scheduled to be featured on a CD album), for example: Anie Laurie - a Scottish song, Let the salmon swim free& Haste To The Wedding - two jigs: one written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych medleyed with a traditional Irish one; From Highland to Arabia - a reel in Shetland-Scottish-Irish climate with an Arab element, written by Mariusz Sprutta, a piece dedicated to Rory Dallas Allardice , presently leader of Next Flight Out, a Scotsman who was founding father of the original JRM Band back in the 90th and who has now settled in the United Arab Emirates; The Black Piper & The Golden Bird Story - a Welsh waltz and Breton style waltz written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych; Black Bird - a slip jig written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych, Cosa gan bhróga - a Gaelic song and instrumental in jazz-rock groove. The band perform in full line-up with two guest musicians: Diarmuid Johnson - Irish flutes, whistles; and Krzysztof Łangowski - electric guitar, sound engineering.
Christmas is a very festive season in Poland. Many customs, traditions and beliefs centre around Christmas Eve, a special day in Polish homes. Before Christmas many businesses organize parties for their employees. JRM together with a Poznań based Irish dance group Celtica perform twice (11.12. and 12.12.) at company parties in The Dubliner Pub, the first and the oldest Irish Pub in town. Two other important days for the Poles are the New Year's Day and New Year's Eve (31.12.), known in Poland as Sylwester (St. Silvester's Day). Sylwester begins the carnival - a period of parties and celebrations. This year JRM perform during an exclusive New Year's ball in POSNANIA Sport Club.
[photographs from Brogans]
NEWS 2008
January 2008
12.01.2008.
JRM celebrate their 18th birthday
JRM perform in the Irish Brogans Pub for their own audience of Poznań and visitors at a party celebrating the 18th birthday of the band. Folks enjoy the party, wish all the best to the group and sings Happy birthday to you. Also Diarmiud claims something magical in Gaelic. :-) The concert is a good occasion to shut new photos of new musicians: Diarmiud Johnson and Krzysztof Łangowski, as well Witold Wojtkowiak as the rhythmical heart of the band - who, important as any, always takes a back seat behind on stage. Happy birthday everybody!
[JRM's 18th birthday photographs]
13.01.2008.
Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy
JRM perform in Gniezno (Rondo Kaczmarskiego, Galeria Gniezno, main stage) with a Warsaw based Irish dance group Reelandia and the band Habakuk.
This (sixteenth) time the Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy collects money for children with ear, nose and throat diseases.
February 2008
01.02.2008.
Poznań celebrate Burns' Night in the Irish Brogans Pub
Robert Burns - poet, balladeer and one of Scotland's favourite son. Each year to mark Burns' birthday in late January, Scots and their international fans take time out to honour a national icon. Burns' Night is a time for all Scots and people who love Scotland and Scottish culture. JRM, Brogans Pub and the audience of Poznań celebrate a Burns' Evening with live music and dance, poetry reading and whisky tasting.
March 2008
07-19.03.2008. - Saint Patrick's Month and Easter
Saint Patrick's Day - a very special day around the world, is even more special for Poznań where Saint Patrick's Day has become Saint Patrick's month! It's thanks to the Polish-Irish Society in Poznań, Irish Culture Foundation and Brogans Irish Pub). JRM takes also part in the 13-day celebrations (concerts, dance workshops, ceili, Irish cusine week, Irish fair) performing in the middle of the period.
13-17.03.2008. - JRM in the Saint Patrick's Tour
Moreover JRM plays another concerts and gigs: 13.03. in Luboń - Culture Centre in Luboń, 13.03. in Poznań - Brogans Irish Pub, 14.03. in Wągrowiec - Pub El Toro, 16.03. in Zawiercie - Pub Drukarnia, and 17.03. - Saint Patrick's Day in Toruń, together with Avallon a Toruń based Irish dance group - Piwnica Pod Aniołem.
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona agus Cáisc dar gcuid cairde go léir, do na ceoltóirí, do na damhsóirí agus dá muintir!
Happy St Patrick's Day and Easter to our friends, musicians, dancers, and their families!
Szczęśliwego Dnia Św. Patryka i Wesołych Świąt życzymy naszym przyjaciołom, muzykom, tancerzom i ich rodzinom!
Spring 2008
JRM's Spring concerts take place in Golina near Konin during an Irish Day in Golina (04.04.); annualy in Bydgoszcz, 14th time at the Student Theatre Meeting DRAMA 2008, together with Avallon a Toruń based Irish dance group, in MÓZG Club (12.04.); at the Scottish Evening (company party), together with Galway a Będzin based Irish dance group, in Stok Hotel in Wisła (21.04.); and in Trzcianka near Nowy Tomyśl during the Garden and Allotment Fair of the District of Nowy Tomyśl (26.04.). Late Spring concerts JRM play at the European Fair in Poznań (24.05.), in Łódź located club Zapiecek (6.06.), a wedding at the CASTLE - Conference Centre in Uniejów (7.06.), in Wiejce near Międzychód, at the Wiejce Castle (20.06.) .
[Photographs from European Fair in Poznań]
Summer 2008
Visit MUSIC section and listen new and old pieces recorded in Łodź in the Zapiecek Club on June 6th 2008.
JRM begins the Summer concerts in Zielona Góra during the St John's Night - within the confines of European Art Gardens project in Culture Factory - 4 Róże Dla Lucienne (21.06.) Summertime it is also traveling period in Poland. JRM visit: Castle - Conference Centre in Uniejów (07.06.), Wiejce Castle near Międzychód (20.06.), Pyzdry (16.08.), Łoskoń near Długa Goślina (22.08.), Edison Hotel in Baranowo near Poznań, Gospoda 6 in Pyskowice and Tychy (5-6.09.), Białystok and HUTNIK - Culture Centre in Wyszków (13-14.09.), Irish Club in Koszalin and Mielno (19-20.09.).
Photographs:
[Concert in Pyzdry]
[Concert and ceili in Pyskowice]
[Concert in Wyszków]
Autumn 2008
The band begins the Autumn season on 25.09. in Little Irleland of Poznań i.e. Irish Brogans Pub, and on 26.09. at Malta in Poznań with Celtica - an Irish dance group.
The next concert are: a Celtic Night party - ceili in Wielkopolska Zagroda W-Z (14.11.), another pub session in Brogans (29.11.) and the Reunion Concert of the former JRM's leader - Rory Dallas Allardice (5.12.).
[Autumn out door concerts of the JRM and Celtica Irish dance group]
5-7.12.2008.
Rory Dallas Allardice visits Poznań
5.12.2008. - Reunion Concert
The famous whistle and mandolin player and songster from Scotland, legendary director of the English Language Centre at Adam Mickiewicz University in the 90's, one of the three musicians in the first lineup of the JRM Band in 1990, paid a special visit to Poznań recently. He had been in contact with the band since 1996 when we had our last concert together. We had never stopped thinking about a possible reunion concert in Poznań and met at last on December 5th 2008. Following Rory's arrival from the United Arab Emirates in the the morning, we spent a very pleasant day in Poznań, had lunch together, a rehearsal and sound check, visited the Maison de la Bretagne, and walked around Old Market Square and Rory's other familiar places in town. Later on in the Irish Brogans Pub, the JRM and Rory had a three-set concert featuring jam session elements and spontaneous dance moments courtesy of the Celtica, a Poznań based Irish dance group, supported by the formidable audience. We reviewed a broad cross section of our repertoire including the old and the new, traditional and modern, songs and instrumentals. Pity there was no TV crew around to film it. Fortunately we have photographs. After the concert Rory and the JRM musicians engaged in friendly conversation and whisky tasting and did not rule out future projects, such as regular concerts in Poland, Scotland or even UAE.
[Reunion concert photographs]
NEWS 2009
January 2009
Join first JRM's concert in 2009 - Robert Burns Night - in the
Irish Brogans Pub - 31.01.2009.
Robert Burns was a poet, balladeer and Scotland's favourite son. Each year on January 25, the great man's presumed birthday, Scots everywhere take time out to honour their national icon. Burns' Night is a night for all Scots and people who love Scotland and Scottish culture. Also JRM and the Irish Brogans Pub celebrate a Burns Night with live music and dance, reading poetry and tasting whisky.
February 2009
Recording finish geared towards producing a CD album
February is a time of few final sessions in the recording studio. The end of recording work is in sight. The name of the CD album is Cosa gan bhróga (without shoes, bare-foot, unshod).
The title track of the album takes you on a voyage of melodies, harmony, rhythms, songs and poetry not only through the Celtic strongholds of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany, but across the landscapes of contemporary Europe where the descendants of the Celts still live. The sounds reflect and recall the history of the migrations of people and music. It is a journey from ancient times to the present, a meandering trail through freedom and captivity, both physical and mental, peace and war, prosperity and poverty, with shoes and without shoes - Cosa gan bróga.
The CD will ultimately include 12 tracks. It is a medley of traditional pieces, the band's own compositions and Gaelic poetry:
1. Cosa gan bróga - Theme & Gaelic groove;
2. Let the salmon swim free & Haste to the wedding - two jigs' medley: a jig written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych and traditional Irish one;
3. Flowers of Red Hill & Congress reel - two Irish reels;
4. Annie Laurie - Scottish love song originally written by William Douglas, and amended by Lady John Scott (1810-1900) who altered the second verse and composed the third, a favourite of Scottish soldiers during the Crimean War;
5. The black piper & The golden bird story - two waltzes: traditional Welsh melody and Breton style piece written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych;
6. From Highlands to Arabia - reel-rock dedicated to Rory Dallas Allardice, a Scotsman who was founding father of the original JRM Band back in the 90th and who has presently settled in the United Arab Emirates - written by Mariusz Sprutta;
7. Cosa gan bróga - poetry read by Diarmuid Johnson;
8. Foggy dew - Irish air;
9. Return to Milltown & Lads of Laois - two Irish reels;
10. Black bird - slip jig - written by Krzysztof Ryszard Brych;
11. Whisky in the jar - one of the most widely performed and known traditional Irish songs. It is sung with many variants on locations and names. The song's exact origins are unknown. The song has been recorded by folk groups such as The Dubliners, The Pogues, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Seekers, The Highwaymen, Roger Whittaker, by rock bands like Thin Lizzy's (probably best well known version in the World) and The Celtic Rock Band, by David Grisman in a bluegrass cover, has been also covered by Gary Moore, U2, Smokie, Metallica (best known version in Poland and Germany);
12. Cosa gan bróga - final theme.
In February the band was also practing the repertoire and arrangements for the March concerts in Poland and the United Arab Emirates.
Feic sibh go luath!
March 2009 - Saint Patrick's Month
Cosa gan bróga - the CD album is ready
JRM start a tour promoting their new album. Before the CD disc will be on sale, it is available during the JRM's concerts in March. The group start performing on 13.03. in Kalisz, in the Beka Pub.
[Photographs - 13.03.2009. - concert in Kalisz]
Saint Patrick's Day - 17.03. - a very special day around the world, is celebrated even in distant and exotic countries. This year, thanks to Rory Dallas Allardice's efforts, the band fly to the United Arab Emirates and take part in a 3-day festival in Dubai.
On 17.03. preform St. Patrick's Day concert in Le Meridien Dubai Hotel - The Dubliner's Irish Pub, on 18.03. they play at the Alliance Francaise - Multimedia Centre, and on 19.03. again in Le Meridien Dubai Hotel - The Dubliner's Irish Pub.
[Photographs - 17-19.03.2009. - St. Patrick's Days in Dubai]
20.03. the group return to Warsaw and travel to Warka to perform in the Country Manor at Długa. Next day, 21.03., JRM play in Zapiecek - Folk Inn in Łódź.
[Photographs - 20.03.2009. - Country Manor at Długa in Warka]
[Photographs - 21.03.2009. - Zapiecek im Łódź]
The last concert in Saint Patrick's Month the band perform on 27.03. Together with the Celtica, a Poznań-based Irish dance group, they take part in the Irish Music, Dance and Cuisine Evening at the Dąbrówka Piątkowo Culture Centre.
[Photographs - 27.03.2009. - Dąbrówka in Poznań]
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona dar gcuid cairde go léir, do na ceoltóirí, do na damhsóirí agus dá muintir!
Happy St Patrick's Day to our friends, musicians, dancers, and their families!
Is fada mo chosa gan bróga,
is fada mo phócaí gan pínn,
is fada mé ag siúl le mná óga,
ach níor ól mé aon deoir fós le mo mhian.
Is fada m'uaigh dá déanamh
's mo thuamba á bhreacadh ag na saoir,
is fada mo chónra á déanamh,
agus ceathrar fear óg le dhul faoi.
April, May and June 2009 - Easter and Spring concerts
Lá Fhéile Cáisc dar gcuid cairde go léir, do móidíni, do na ceoltóirí, do na damhsóirí agus dá muintir!
Happy Easter to our friends and fans, musicians, dancers, and their families!
Wesołych Świąt życzymy naszym przyjaciołom i fanom, muzykom, tancerzom i ich rodzinom!
In April the band preforms concerts in Swarzędz during the 13th Flageolet Meeting 2009 organized by Culture Centre in Swarzędz (18.04.); in Poznań in the Brogans Irish Pub (24.04.); and in Bydgoszcz during the Student Theatre Meeting DRAMA 2009 in Klubie MÓZG Club (25.04.). In May the group performs private party in Białogard (01.05.), Galan-Mai in Koszalin's Irish Club (02.05.), and concert and dance show together with an Irish dance group
Celtica at a Śmigiel Days organized by Culture Centre in Śmigiel (31.05.). Both groups perform also a show titled Celtic Groove & Dance during the Sea Days 2009 in Świnoujście (19.06.)
[Press cut - Echo Piątkowa, April 2009]
[Photographs - 18.04.2009. - 13th Flageolet Meeting in Swarzędz]
[19.05.2009. - JRM join MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jrmcelticband]
[Photographs - 31.05.2009. - Śmigiel Days]
[Photographs - 19.06.2009. - Świnoujście - Sea Days - The Celtic Groove & Dance performance]
Summer 2009
JRM play their Spring Farewell Concert in Kołobrzeg, at the Skandynawia Restaurant in the New Scanpol Hotel (20.06.) and their Welcoming Summer Concert they play in Kredens Restaurant in Koszalin (21.06.). The band play also a charity concert for Paulina Pawlak. This is another run of the performance called Celtic Groove & Dance, a music and dance show produced together with an Irish dance group Celtica at the Young City Festival 2009 in Wągrowiec (29.06.).
Let's aid Paulina in her fight for life
JRM together with the concert organizers and the Polish Fight Mucoviscidosis Society ask all the JRM website visitors to help Paulina Pawlak. She needs for drugs, medical treatment and rehabilitation and for a lung transplant. Paulina is ill with cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis), a severe and incurable genetic sickness. This Wągrowiec girl is bravely fighting for her life but without outside aid is not able to do much. That's why we appeal here and now to make donations to this special bank account:
49102034660000930200023473
remember to put "Paulina Pawlak" in the payment description
PKO BP SA O/Rabka
ul. Prof. Jana Rudnika 3b
34-700 Rabka-Zdrój, Poland
In August the band play in Piła - in the Classic Pub (20.08.), in Buk - durig the Vacation Farewell Concert at the City Stadium (29.08.), and in September in Gniezno (4.09.), Bydgoszcz (12.09.) and Poznań (18.09.)
[Photographs - 21.06.2009. - Koszalin, KREDENS Restaurant - Welcoming Summer Concert]
[Photographs - 29.06.2009. - Wągrowiec, Celtic Groove & Dance performance]
Autumn 2009
Autumn gigs JRM begin in Kuślin during a Celtic styled company party in the Jansówka (2.10.); and in Poznań at a Celtic groove party in the Brogans Irish Pub (9.10.). The band play also in Łódź in the Gniazdo Piratów (Pirate's Nest) (17.10.), in Gorzów Wielkopolski in the Studnia Pub (13.11.), in Wielkopolska National Park at the Ecological Station Jeziory (20.11.), in Koszalin in the KREDENS Restaurant (21.11.) and at home Poznań: during a show in Poznań Studio of the TVP Poznań (11.12.) and in the Brogans Irish Pub (12.12.)
[Photographs - 17.10.2009. - Łódź - snapshots of the concert in the Pirate's Nest]
24-31.12.2009
Vaidhtéir mianta ó JRM: Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath 2010 Úr dhuit!
Best Wishes from JRM: a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2010 Year!
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