Nahorny Włodzimierz, *5 November 1941 Radzymin Podlaski, Polish jazz composer, pianist, saxophonist, flautist. He studied music from 1960–1964 at the Higher State Music School in Sopot at the Department of Instrumental Studies (clarinet). Nahorny collaborated with the Bim-Bom theatre and the To Tu cabaret in Gdańsk in 1958–1959, performing as a pianist and saxophone player in a quartet with P. Nadolski, B. Damięcki, B. Jopyk. He played in the North Coast Combo from 1959–1961 and worked as a clarinettist with the Tralabomba Traditional Jazz Band. At the same time, he participated in the Jazz at the Philharmonic concert series together with M. Królikiewicz, J. Nalaskowski, R. Kruza, and A. Musiał. In 1965, he formed a trio with R. Kruza and P. Dyakowski, the same year at the Jazz nad Odrą Festival in Wrocław he won 1st prize for the band and as a soloist, and 3rd prize for the composition Zbyszek. From 1965 he became permanently involved in the Warsaw jazz scene, working as a pianist and saxophonist, and later playing free jazz in the clubs Dziekanka, Hybrydy, Stodoła, Medyk. He played alto saxophone in A. Trzaskowski’s band with T. Stańko, J. Muniak, A. Jędrzejowski, J. Ostaszewski (joint performances at the Internationale Jazz Workshop in Hamburg, 1965–1969). Nahorny recorded his first album with this band, entitled The Andrzej Trzaskowski Sextet „Seant” (1966). In 1965, he also began his collaboration with W. Warska and A. Kurylewicz, which resulted in the release of albums: Piosenki z Piwnicy Wandy Warskiej i The Andrzej Kurylewicz Quintet: 10 + 8. In 1966, Nahorny was awarded the 2nd prize at the World Modern Jazz Competition in Vienna. Then, in 1967, he was honoured with the 1st individual prize at the jazz festival in Vienna, which he received from Duke Ellington. He became popular due to his collaboration with the rock band Breakout (1969, e.g., Na drugim brzegu tęczy), and also with Novi Singers (Rien ne va plus). In the 1970s, which was the period of Nahorny’s greatest popularity, he took part in jazz concerts, composed songs, film (Znaki na drodze, Rewizja osobista, Pełnia, Sam na sam) and theatre music for Teatr Współczesny (1965–1967), Teatr Dramatyczny (1978), National Theatre [Teatr Narodowy] (1981). In 1972 and 1973 he was awarded the first prize at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole for Jej portret and Tango z różą w zębach. Nahorny recorded, among other albums, Heart, Jej portret, Obejmij mnie, and together with M. Wróblewska Sound of Marianna Wróblewska, Feelings, Privilege. Since 1995, he returned to regular artistic activity, reactivated his trio and quartet, and recorded new albums: Ich portret (1995), Kolędy na cały rok (duet with K. Woliński, 1995), Piosenki lwowskie (1996), Mity (1997). He performed throughout Europe, including Rome, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Budapest, Prague, and Vienna.
Nahorny is a versatile composer with innovative concepts, an arranger, an acclaimed pianist and saxophonist, a forerunner and promoter of modern jazz in Poland. To this day, he still practises jazz close to freestyle. He is also confident in a wider repertoire including jazz standards, popular music, and arrangements of “classical” music (Mity by K. Szymanowski). Technical perfection, spontaneous improvisations, and exceptional power of expression characterise his playing style.
