Meritum is a group of musicians active on Warsaw's independent and jazz scenes. The band was established in 2001, and has been performing in its current line-up since 2002. Their music is often associated with the energetic "klezmer jazz", but it is in fact a merger of many different musical styles and genres, combined in the players' search for beauty.
The band plays its own compositions, in which the acoustic sound of the piano, clarinet, bass and drums is enriched by concrete sounds and field recordings as well as scratching performed by DJ Lenar. One can hear in Meritum's pieces both the freedom of improvisation, and precision of arrangement. There is joy, folly, but also genuine sadness and nostalgia. This makes Meritum's music surprising, and universal in its appeal.
The band performed, among other events, at the first and fourth editions of the WUJek festival (for Warsaw Underground Jazz), Mironalia 2002, as well as at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days in 2003. They played concerts in all of the most important jazz clubs in Poland. In August of 2003, Meritum went on a tour of Norway, performing in cities like Bodo and MoiRana. In April of 2004, the band took part in the Nowa Tradycja (New Tradition) festival held by the Polish National Radio. Meritum has recorded an album (published by Lado ABC), and put out a short release entitled "Single Live". Currently, the band released their second album, called "SzCz".
Meritum was established by Paweł Szamburski in the summer of 2001. The first line-up featured Szamburski on clarinet, Tomasz Bandyra on electric bass, Patryk Zakrocki on electric guitar, and Rafał Listopad on drums. In the beginning, the band aimed at a combination of acoustic hip-hop and instrumental jazz, but the general concept soon started to evolve. As new inspiration and new ideas emerged, the music was becoming deeper and more complex. Ambition grew and skills improved so changes in the line-up were inevitable. The band welcomed Karol Maśluszczak on electric piano, DJ D-Art., and soon DJ Lenar. Eventually, Łukasz Moskal joined in on drums, adding highly dynamic rhythm and thus increasing the band's rhythmic potential.
In 2002, Meritum prepared their first material, consisting of a few mature compositions. The band performed in jazz clubs in Warsaw, at vernissages and Djazzpora improvised music concerts. In 2003, Meritum was asked to play at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, but needed a replacement for Łukasz Moskal, the drummer, who was on tour at the time. That's when Roman Ślefarski came in, charming everyone with his personality and musical sensitivity. With Ślefarski on drums, Meritum has reached its current line-up.
The new album "Szcz" feature guest appearances, including Raphael Rogiński, an electric guitar virtuoso, and Tomasz Duda, a saxophone wizzard.
Paweł Szamburski was born in Warsaw in 1980, he plays clarinet and is an improviser. He formed and leads Meritum, but has also been active in many other musical bands and projects, including: Tupika, Cukunft, o.Grandier, Sztetlach, and Bauagan. He is known for his collaborations with Galimadjaz, and has his own musical project called Djazzpora, a periodic presentation of contemporary improvised music and visual arts. He played or otherwise co-operated with such established musicians as Patryk Zakrocki, Macio Moretti, Tomasz Stańko, Mikołaj Trzaska, Noel Akchote, Pavel Fajt, Raphael Rogiński, Tomasz Duda, Bartosz Weber, Kuba Kossak, Sebastian Wypych, Michał Górczyński, Josquen Roset, Norbullo, DJ Lenak, DJ DFC and many others.
Tomasz Bandyra plays bass. He is the founder of the Bindu Duo project, as well as of the punk band Podzespół. Active in the Galimadjaz project for many years now.
Karol Maśluszczak plays piano. An active member of Warsaw's independent jazz scene, he participated in many Djazzpora and Galimadjaz sessions.
Roman Ślefarski plays drums. He is an actor, and a graduate of Warsaw's prominent jazz school Bednarska. He plays in countless ensembles playing classical jazz.
Dj Lenar has collaborated many times with the Sofa, Galimadjaz, Djazzpora and Bauagan projects. Together with DJ Dfc, he conducts periodical music sessions under the name Dekonstrukcje (Deconstructions), where he develops his turntablism skills.
The band plays its own compositions, in which the acoustic sound of the piano, clarinet, bass and drums is enriched by concrete sounds and field recordings as well as scratching performed by DJ Lenar. One can hear in Meritum's pieces both the freedom of improvisation, and precision of arrangement. There is joy, folly, but also genuine sadness and nostalgia. This makes Meritum's music surprising, and universal in its appeal.
The band performed, among other events, at the first and fourth editions of the WUJek festival (for Warsaw Underground Jazz), Mironalia 2002, as well as at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days in 2003. They played concerts in all of the most important jazz clubs in Poland. In August of 2003, Meritum went on a tour of Norway, performing in cities like Bodo and MoiRana. In April of 2004, the band took part in the Nowa Tradycja (New Tradition) festival held by the Polish National Radio. Meritum has recorded an album (published by Lado ABC), and put out a short release entitled "Single Live". Currently, the band released their second album, called "SzCz".
Meritum was established by Paweł Szamburski in the summer of 2001. The first line-up featured Szamburski on clarinet, Tomasz Bandyra on electric bass, Patryk Zakrocki on electric guitar, and Rafał Listopad on drums. In the beginning, the band aimed at a combination of acoustic hip-hop and instrumental jazz, but the general concept soon started to evolve. As new inspiration and new ideas emerged, the music was becoming deeper and more complex. Ambition grew and skills improved so changes in the line-up were inevitable. The band welcomed Karol Maśluszczak on electric piano, DJ D-Art., and soon DJ Lenar. Eventually, Łukasz Moskal joined in on drums, adding highly dynamic rhythm and thus increasing the band's rhythmic potential.
In 2002, Meritum prepared their first material, consisting of a few mature compositions. The band performed in jazz clubs in Warsaw, at vernissages and Djazzpora improvised music concerts. In 2003, Meritum was asked to play at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, but needed a replacement for Łukasz Moskal, the drummer, who was on tour at the time. That's when Roman Ślefarski came in, charming everyone with his personality and musical sensitivity. With Ślefarski on drums, Meritum has reached its current line-up.
The new album "Szcz" feature guest appearances, including Raphael Rogiński, an electric guitar virtuoso, and Tomasz Duda, a saxophone wizzard.
Paweł Szamburski was born in Warsaw in 1980, he plays clarinet and is an improviser. He formed and leads Meritum, but has also been active in many other musical bands and projects, including: Tupika, Cukunft, o.Grandier, Sztetlach, and Bauagan. He is known for his collaborations with Galimadjaz, and has his own musical project called Djazzpora, a periodic presentation of contemporary improvised music and visual arts. He played or otherwise co-operated with such established musicians as Patryk Zakrocki, Macio Moretti, Tomasz Stańko, Mikołaj Trzaska, Noel Akchote, Pavel Fajt, Raphael Rogiński, Tomasz Duda, Bartosz Weber, Kuba Kossak, Sebastian Wypych, Michał Górczyński, Josquen Roset, Norbullo, DJ Lenak, DJ DFC and many others.
Tomasz Bandyra plays bass. He is the founder of the Bindu Duo project, as well as of the punk band Podzespół. Active in the Galimadjaz project for many years now.
Karol Maśluszczak plays piano. An active member of Warsaw's independent jazz scene, he participated in many Djazzpora and Galimadjaz sessions.
Roman Ślefarski plays drums. He is an actor, and a graduate of Warsaw's prominent jazz school Bednarska. He plays in countless ensembles playing classical jazz.
Dj Lenar has collaborated many times with the Sofa, Galimadjaz, Djazzpora and Bauagan projects. Together with DJ Dfc, he conducts periodical music sessions under the name Dekonstrukcje (Deconstructions), where he develops his turntablism skills.
:::Review by meritum.art.pl:::
Meritum – Szcz (2006)
01. Swierszcz [5:30]
02. Kleszcz [2:28]
03. Dreszcz [4:20]
04. Leszcz [7:50]
05. Bluszcz [4:13]
06. Proboszcz [3:01]
07. Deszcz [6:34]
08. Chrzaszcz [6:24]
09. Plaszcz [6:56]
10. Wieszcz [4:56]
11. Gaszcz [2:53]
12. Miszcz [3:14]
Credits
Pawel Szamburski - clarinet
Karol Masluszczak - el. piano
Tomasz Bandyra - bass
Roman Slefarski - drums
DJ Lenar - turntables
Raphael Roginski - guitar (2,5)
Tomasz Duda - saxes, flute (2,9)
Meritum – Szcz (2006)
01. Swierszcz [5:30]
02. Kleszcz [2:28]
03. Dreszcz [4:20]
04. Leszcz [7:50]
05. Bluszcz [4:13]
06. Proboszcz [3:01]
07. Deszcz [6:34]
08. Chrzaszcz [6:24]
09. Plaszcz [6:56]
10. Wieszcz [4:56]
11. Gaszcz [2:53]
12. Miszcz [3:14]
Credits
Pawel Szamburski - clarinet
Karol Masluszczak - el. piano
Tomasz Bandyra - bass
Roman Slefarski - drums
DJ Lenar - turntables
Raphael Roginski - guitar (2,5)
Tomasz Duda - saxes, flute (2,9)
:::try it:::