Established in Miami, on life support in L.A., and then finally burnished in New York City, the Konrad Paszkudzki Trio’s aesthetic can be summed up in three words: mood, sizzle, and swing. Their sound is classic yet timeless in its mode of expression, captivating ardent lovers of the jazz idiom and Tin Pan Alley tradition alike.
The focus is on standards – tunes collectively known as The Great American Song Book. Without imposing trite gimmicks or relying on overt displays of flash and technical wizardry, the trio stays true to the original musical and lyrical content of the material, with an emphasis on melodic elegance and swinging verve. The influence of Nelson Riddle, Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner and Ahmad Jamal can be felt and heard but is never blatantly mimicked.
Direct, simple, yet intriguing, they improvise solo narratives with toe-tapping nonchalant grace. There is something humble in this approach, but the attitude with which the music is delivered is one of confident passion. The message it carries comes across in pristine fashion—the Konrad Paszkudzki Trio leads the way in today’s world of swinging, sophisticated jazz.
Although raised in Western Australia by Polish parents, Konrad’s musical affinity and passion for swingin’ American jazz revealed itself early on. He was accepted into university at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth at the tender age of 15, studying jazz piano and finishing his undergraduate degree a few weeks after turning 19. The precocious instrumentalist swiftly established a reputation as a leading jazzman in Australia, touring for the next two years and playing with his mentor, jazz trumpeter James Morrison. After being offered a scholarship to the University of Miami, he relocated to the United States in 2009, receiving his master’s degree in 2011 at the age of 22. Upon graduation, he spent a year in Los Angeles playing piano with the likes of the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Jeff Hamilton Trio. Konrad returned to the East Coast in 2012 after being offered a position to lead the house trio at the coveted New York venue, 54 Below. Following a yearlong residency and two self-released trio recordings, he joined the John Pizzarelli Quartet in November of 2013, leading to over 1000 performances worldwide in the following four years. In 2015 Konrad became a Yamaha artist, and in 2016 began working for Venus Records in Japan. Between 2016 and 2017 the Konrad Paszkudzki trio recorded seven albums for the label. Aside from touring and recording, Konrad also commenced his role as Artistic Director of Jazz at the Ballroom in 2017, a not-for-profit organization committed to delivering the highest caliber of swinging American jazz across the West Coast.