The Karuzela Group is the name of international ensemble which was created within the framework of Aspiryna Blues especially for the purpose of playing the classical songs, the „standards“ of the Polish songbook.
The songs which will be performed by the Karuzela ensemble were created mainly between 1950s and 1990s by the most talented Polish poets and composers. Undeniably Agnieszka Osiecka is the icon of Polish pop, jazz, folk and theatre songs and a woman whose life and poetry continues to fascinate audiences and musicians of the younger and older generations. The Aspiryna Blues project combines several moods and types of music - jazz, folk, country, classical, electronic etc.
The purpose of Aspiryna Blues project is to present for the first time to the Norwegian audiences some of the most beautiful and important Polish songs written not only by Agnieszka Osiecka, but also other „giants“ of Polish poetry such as and Jacek Kaczmarski. They will also perform songs sung by the legendary Ewa Demarczyk. Also for the first time these Polish songs will be translated into Norwegian. Let’s hope that the meeting of different musical temperaments—Central European, Slavic and Scandinavian will result in an unforgettable artistic feast.
Fantastic musicians and singers from Norway and Poland are members of the Karuzela Ensamble. The band was created in 2009 by Jorn Simen Overli, a Norwegian balladist and guitarist and Tora Augestad, a Norwegian singer and actress. The depth and beauty of Agnieszka Osiecka’s songs captured both of these musicians and they decided to visit Warsaw, Poland, to find The Agnieszka Osiecka „Okularnicy“ Foundation and meet the family of the poetess. During the meeting at the „Okularnicy“ Foundation we all decided to join our artistic and organisational talents to make this Aspiryna Blues project real. The artistic head of the project, the leader and author of this idea, Jorn Simen Overli composed the Karuzela Band:
Tora Augestad
- vocal
Joanna Lewandowska Zbudniewek - vocal
Jørn Simen Øverli - vocal, acoustic guitar
Grzech Piotrowski - saxophone, duduk
Espen Leite - accordion
Pal Hansken - drums
The Polish-Norwegian Karuzela ensamble will meet in Oslo for rehearsals and in 2010/2011 will perform concerts in Poland and Norway. This project was founded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
