Welcome to my website!

I added the main section - NEWS. You can start from here browsing through my web site www.pawelsmorag.com.

I'll be placing here the latest news concerning my musical activity: dates and descriptions of the gigs, working on the ordered compositions (yes indeed - it's not only me who likes my songs...:)), plans for the future, etc.

So - I send my kindest greetings to all the fans of my music!! I'll try to give you a lot of energetic and dancing sensations - see you at the gigs of RUSH HOUR!!!

Paweł Smorąg, July 2007

RUSH HOUR and Al Di Meola at one festival!!
added: 2007-07-31

Welcome!

I'm pleased to inform you that on the 27th of June 2007 the band RUSH HOUR performed at the jazz festival Samfest 2007 in Satu Mare in Romania.
It was a stage debut of my new band and and also mine as a leader, composer and arranger!
We are really glad about the gig - the audience reacted very enthusiastically to our programme, we played an encore and there was no end to the ovation, we got a rapturous applause!
The concert was conducted by Mr Florian Lungu - a very well known persona of the Romanian jazz scene. The organisation of the trip and of our stay there were at the highest level - a big thanks to the organisers!
We played my own compositions and a few standards as well. The recording of the gig is placed in the section Music - feel invited to visit it!!
The gig was registered by the company Korte Recording from Hungary (www.korterecording.hu) - thank you Mr Korte!
My band RUSH HOUR had a big honour to perform at this festival beside an international star of considerable stature - a guitarist Al Di Meola!!
You have to admit, it's pretty good as for a debut, isn't it??
In section Gallery you will find photos from the festival.

See you at the concerts of the band RUSH HOUR!!

Paweł Smorąg and Al di Meola & Midsummer Night Quartet together at one Festival!!
I'm sure this is a good announcement of my performance activity...
This is a great honour to me! A new band, gig with my own programme, debut at the international festival and most importantly, in such a good company ...let's hope it stays that way!!

RUSH HOUR
added: 2007-07-26

RUSH HOUR - it's my latest and the most important musical "baby". I established the band at the beginning of the summer this year. I invited my old good friends to participate in my project: a drummer Przemek Pacan, a bassist Marcin Lamch, a guitarist Marcin Cyzowski and a pianist Michał Rorat.

It's the first time I've decided to offer my own compositions and arrangements. I spent last two years on writing songs and I collected already a lot of material - I just couldn't wait to perform my songs in front of the public!!

For me it's a great challenge and a satisacftion at the same time... Finally I've got an opportunity to play my own melodies, completely consciously from the start till the end. It's a great pleasure and priviledge.

And here are my outstanding musicians whose participation in the project will help me to realise my musical plans:

• Przemysław Pacan - drummer who works on daily basis with Wojciech Konikiewicz, Urszula Dudziak, Andrzej Smolik, Janusz Yanina Iwański. We've known each other for a long time, we played together many times in various projects. Przemek, as one of really few musicians, is able to combine jazz elements and rock energy in his playing. He is an extremely active and engaged musician. It's a great pleasure for me, Mr Przemysław!
• Marcin Lamch - a second part of my rhythm section. Incredible double bass player and bassist. His talent is being exploited, among others, by Anita Lipnicka, John Porter, Wojciech Konikiewicz, Chromosomos...As a person - polite and elegant, well-behaved intelectual...;-)) As a musician thou, he is absolutely unpredictable and original, a thinking man with a questing mind. Respect for the tradition, "roots", stylishness and consistency in music - this is my brief description of your being a bassist, Mr Lamch!
• Marcin Cyzowski - guitar has been always my big weakness, especially a wild, bold, dangerous, unbridled and wailing guitar as it becomes in Cyzowski's hands and that's why I love his playing! Marcin has fire, energy and passion for music - these are the qualities I appreciate the most in musicians, I look for it and sometimes I find it..;-) Respect, Mr Cyzowski!
• Michał Rorat - this bloke has been surprising me lately... There are people who have an infinitely huge store of will and passion for playing and creating, trying and searching...Michał is doubtlessly a leader of this group! Together with Mr Cyzowski they have their band 2v1, which I support a lot! I consider the searching for a proper and nice keyboard player completed, my efforts were rewarded with an immense success! Welcome to RUSH HOUR, Mr. Rorat!