44th Rawa Blues Festival - NOSPR

This year marks the 44th edition of the Rawa Blues Festival. We have decided to move the entire festival to the home of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) in Katowice – a venue where, alongside classical music, other musical genres have also found a home. Rawa Blues artists have performed here to great acclaim in the past, while a programme created especially for the festival – Keb’ Mo’ with the NOSPR Orchestra conducted by Krzesimir Dębski – proved a truly memorable artistic event. Does this mean that we will never return to Spodek? Absolutely not! We have a special affection for the venue – we shall see what the future brings.

We expect that this new chapter in the history of Rawa Blues, unfolding in a new architectural and acoustic setting that offers the blues the space it deserves, will help underscore the music’s value. What remains unchanged, however, is the principle we have stayed true to throughout all these years: presenting the finest and most compelling blues artists and performers. This year’s festival will unfold in two parts, in NOSPR’s Concert Hall and Chamber Hall.

3:00 PM, Chamber Hall

From 3.00 pm, the NOSPR Chamber Hall will host the finest blues bands selected by a distinguished jury comprising music journalists and some of Poland’s leading blues musicians. They are Blues Junkers, Furman i Kapela Kare Konie, Red. Chirowski & Pan Wydro and Robert Kordylewski.

Admission to the concerts in the Chamber Hall is upon presentation of a valid festival ticket and is subject to seating availability. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

6:00 PM, Concert Hall – Main Concert

At 6:00 PM, the festival moves to the NOSPR Concert Hall

D.K. Harrell

An American blues musician, guitarist and vocalist of the younger generation, D.K. Harrell hails from Louisiana, a region with strong ties to the tradition of this particular blues subgenre, which has had a major influence on his musical style. His music combines classic electric blues with contemporary energy and a highly personal form of expression. Harrell is known for his emotive vocals and distinctive, expressive guitar playing. Early in his career, he attracted the attention of blues critics and audiences around the world. He has appeared at numerous prestigious blues festivals and performed extensively both in the United States and abroad. His recordings have earned recognition within the music industry and received numerous positive reviews. D.K. Harrell is admired for his authenticity and his commitment to the roots of the blues. He has also received numerous nominations and awards within the blues community, reflecting the recognition his talent has earned. He is regarded as one of the leading young artists contributing to the development of contemporary blues.

Nik West

Even ‘an explosion of stage presence’ hardly begins to describe the way Nik West moves, captivates and astonishes audiences around the world. She has collaborated with the likes of Quincy Jones Productions, Prince, Macy Gray, John Mayer, Glee, American Idol and Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart. More than a bassist, singer and songwriter, she is the embodiment of individuality. Her unmistakable style invites audiences to discover her true self. This young, funk-fuelled powerhouse is a force of nature, blending genres and pushing boundaries with every note she plays and every lyric she sings. Rolling Stone has called her ‘the bass icon of this generation’, while Rolling Stone France has hailed her as ‘the Queen of Bassists’. Her bass lines are like a heartbeat you can dance to. But there is more to Nik than bass – her voice takes listeners on a journey through emotion. Moving from sensual and smooth to energetic and electrifying, it tells stories that go straight to the heart. Her striking rendition of AC/DC’s Back in Black astonished many rock fans and made Nik a new favourite of Steven Tyler. She has supported George Clinton/Parliament-Funkadelic and has appeared on the covers of virtually every major bass magazine. She has also been featured in publications including People, Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, OK! Magazine, Billboard and Afropunk.

Irek Dudek Big Band

A musical ensemble founded by one of Poland’s best-known bluesmen, Ireneusz ‘Irek’ Dudek. The group grew out of the big-band tradition that Dudek had been developing since the early 1980s, bringing richly arranged blues, complete with a horn section and jazz panache, to a wide audience. The ensemble stands out for its combination of the classic big-band sound with powerful, expressive blues and jazz, lending its concerts the scale and excitement of major musical shows. Critics have long noted that Dudek’s Big Band projects brought a breath of the wider musical world to the Polish blues scene and demonstrated that the blues could thrive in elaborate arrangements. One of the most important milestones in the group’s history was the album No. 1, released in 1986, featuring tracks that remain in its repertoire to this day.

The ensemble collaborates with outstanding jazz and blues musicians, giving its sound not only energy but also technical refinement. Its guests at the festival concert at NOSPR will be Henryk Gembalski, Krzysztof Popek, Apostolis Anthimos and Krzysztof Głuch. The group’s performances are known for their exuberance, sense of fun and virtuosity, appealing both to blues enthusiasts and to a wider audience.

Dudek’s most popular band, however, was undoubtedly Shakin’ Dudi, whose hits were sung throughout Poland. To please fans of all his musical alter egos, Irek will also perform these songs, accompanied by the musicians with whom he regularly plays them, including the band’s lyricist and punk guitarist Darek Dusza.

Martin Harley

An acclaimed British songwriter and slide guitarist, Martin Harley is known for the distinctive sound of his resonator guitars, his moving lyrics and authentic, raw style. He combines blues, folk and Americana with masterful virtuosity and musical depth, creating music that is sincere, timeless and mesmerising. Martin Harley has already appeared once on the stage of the NOSPR Concert Hall, during the 38th Rawa Blues Festival, when his duo with Daniel Kimbro received an exceptionally enthusiastic response from the audience.

The event is expected to end at approximately 10:30 PM. Running time is subject to change.

The concert is organised by Ireneusz Dudek Rawa Blues.

Everything you need to know before you come to the NOSPR – practical advice for those attending events. 

We kindly request that you familiarise yourself with the information concerning parking in the Culture Zone – important information about parking.