WOMAN IN BLACK
The material contained on this album is a musical tale straight from classic ‘noir’ style. This is a story of change from a girl
to a self-confident young woman and great performing artist. The classic vocals of Sasha and brilliant arrangements of Gary Guthman are a combination of Rhythm& Blues, Jazz and swing
with a modern sound. In fact, this is a musical spectacle, perfect for large concert halls to moody jazz clubs
Sasha Strunin - Vocalist
Filip Wojciechowski - Pianist
Pawel Panta - El. and Acoustic Bass
Paweł Dobrowolski - Drums
Michał Milczarek - Guitar
Marcin Kajper - Saxophone
Jacek Namysłowski - Trombone
Gary Guthman – Trumpet/ Flugelhorn
All compositions and arrangements by Gary Guthman
“Woman In Black” song titles:
Woman In Black, Too Young To Know, Take Me Away, Don’t Hold Back, Forbidden Love, That’s Just How It Goes, Don’t Tell Me No!, A Fine Tango, Dangerous Blues, The Name Of My Game, You And I Are One
SASHA STRUNIN
Taken from the old Broadway adage, charismatic singer Sasha Strunin was “born in a trunk”. Her talents grew in an atmosphere of opera and musical theatre as well as films and music from the golden age of Hollywood.
REVIEW
"Sasha Strunin, is definitely entering the era of vocalists remembered in the Golden Age of Swing. With great voice and beauty, accompanied by excellent musicians, and excellent compositions in the repertoire, she is on her way to the great jazz scene."
- Jerzy Szczerbakow (founder and creator of RadioJAZZ.FM, co-creator of JazzPRESS e-monthly)
Jazz top musicians accompany Sasha
One of the few musicians whose artistic career includes both jazz and classical music. Winner of many awards at prestigious piano competitions including the Claude Kahn Competition in Paris and a special award at the XIII International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw (1995). He has given recitals throughout Europe, America and Asia at such renowned venues as the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, Tokyo International Forum and the Opera House in Monte Carlo
Outstanding Polish acoustic and electric bassist, who has collaborated on the forefront of Polish jazz as well as on the theatrical stage. He was a member of the Andrzej Kurylewicz Trio. Currently, Mr. Pańta is active in the groups of Janusz Bogacki, Gary Guthman, Wojciech Gogolewski and Filip Wojciechowski as well as Włodek Pawlik Trio (2014 Grammy Award winner for “Night in Calisia”)
A superb musician and pedagog, in 2006, he was awarded “Fryderyk” from the Phonographic Academy. Mr. Dobrowolski has concertised on many prestigious stages including the Royal Albert Hall in London, The Olympia in Paris as well as philharmonic halls of Europe and on other continental club stages such as Ronnie Scott’s in London, The Blue Note in Tokyo, and the New Morning in Paris. The output of work he has produced so far included over 50 Cd recordings. Paweł Dobrowolski is endorsed by Zildjian
Guitarist, composer and leader of his own project -‘ MM3'. Together with the band he recorded The Big Game EP (2012), Squirrels & Butterflies (2014) and Ambient Works (2016). Along with MM3, he has played many prestigious festivals in Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Scotland and Vietnam. Michał is passionate about jazz, R&B, blues and rock. As a session musician, he has worked with Michał Urbaniak, Edyta Górniak, Maria Sadowska, Ania Szarmach, Envee, and many others
Tenor, Alto, Soprano saxophonist, arranger, session musician. Mr. Kajper has collaborated with Polish artists on the jazz scene such as, Zbigniew Wrombel, Filip Wojciechowski, Paweł Pańta, Cezary Konrad. Marcin participated in the 2008 Grand Prix Jazz Festival in Siofók Hungary. Since 20012, he has regularly collaborated with vocalist Ray Wilson who replaced Phil Collins in the band Genisis. The fruits of his collaborations are not only concerts in Poland but around the world
Jazz trombonist, composer and arranger. Graduate of the Academy of Music in Katowice. Jacek, along with the band “Timeless” won first place at the Standard Jazz Competition in Siedle in 2002. As well and with the group “Timeless”, Jacek Namysłowski was awarded first place in the Bielska Zadymka Jazz Competition in 2003, after which he released his first Cd featuring the band “Total Time”. He is a member of the Zbigniew Namysłowski quintet, with whom he has recorded 5 Cd’s
Trumpeter, composer, arranger, conductor and producer. Gary Guthman studied composition and orchestration with Henry Mancini and Don Cost and collaborated on television and in concert with Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Tony Bennet, The Bee Gees, Michel LeGrand. He was Musical Director and starred in the award winning Musical Theatre production of “Forever Swing”. and was Musical Director for Michael Buble. Mr. Guthman has performed, composed and conducted orchestras from Las Vegas to Carnegie Hall