Blue Note is an iconic venue in Poznań, where the sounds of jazz have resounded since 1998. Over the years, it has become a legend not only in the capital of Greater Poland, but also in the whole country, being one of the few jazz clubs still in operation today. That is why Blue Note has recently undergone a metamorphosis, bringing elegance and passion to the heart of Poznan's club scene.
In 2022, Blue Note began a new stage in its history and, after nearly 25 years of activity, gained a new co-owner. Krzysztof Wawrzyniak is the head of the Poznań-based concert agency Good Taste Production (which has become a patron of the club), a music lover, a graduate of the Academy of Music, and above all: a passionate fan of Blue Note, associated with it for many years.
To collaborate on the interior design, the new owner invited experts in 'landmark places', the mode:lina™ team. - “The opportunity to work on the renovation of a local, iconic venue for us was not only a pleasure but also an honour”, says Kinga Kin, designer and author of the project.
As the club's new repertoire is a fusion of old and contemporary formats, a similar approach guided the architects in the interior design. Pre-existing, well-known elements engage in a dialogue with fresh aesthetics and innovative technology. Blue's regulars will recognise the distinctive staircase, balustrades and bars made by renowned Poznań artist Adam Garnek, in their full, restored glory.
The interiors are dominated by deep navy blue, an elegant reference to the club's legendary name. The walls and ceilings have taken on the form of reliefs by adding large three-dimensional typography interspersed with mirrored elements and expressive blue backlights. All alcoves, both in the bar area and the mezzanine lodges, have a soft form thanks to rounded corners, the shape of which has also been accentuated with LED lighting strips. To break up the dark blue of the walls and the graphite sofas, the alcoves feature decorative panels with dark wood fins with gold sconce details.
Another echo of Blue Note's history is the gallery of concert photographs. In their new edition, the photographs form a coherent strip within a wall finished in sheet metal loosely referencing the club's emerging lamella motif. Jazz here is not just a melody, but also a story that is written on the walls and in the emotions.
The main room with a stage offers maximum flexibility and adaptability for all kinds of events or intimate concerts. Acoustics at the highest level have been achieved through the use of specialised panels around the stage, a Sonaspray coating on the ceiling and a curtain on the main wall. The club-like darkness of the hall is cut by spotlights and the distinctive shapes of the bar and mezzanine highlighted by LED lighting.
- Although the club has undergone many changes recently, it is still based on the same foundation as before: the love of music. We have refurbished the interior, modernised the logo and website, and we also plan to refresh the repertoire. The heart of Blue Note will invariably remain jazz, but we also want to invite artists who work around this genre and will bring new energy to the club. Therefore, in the near future, there will also be concerts with funk, groove or soul music,' announces Krzysztof Wawrzyniak, the club's new co-owner.
At Blue Note, you don't just listen to jazz - you experience it in every detail filling its brand-new space. It is a place which continues its long-standing tradition of hosting true legends of Polish and foreign jazz music, such as Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski, Kenny Garrett, Dave Holland, Kurt Elling, Al Foster, Cindy Blackman Santana, Tomasz Stańko, Dave Liebman, John Abercrombie, Mike Stern, Dave Douglas, Scott Henderson, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Billy Harper, Jack DeJohnette, E.S.T.Trio, Yellowjackets.
