The WM Project pays homage to Poland's legendary "Bikini Boys", who embraced American musical styles in defiance of official communist doctrine, at this special concert featuring original interpretations of Polish jazz classics and their own compositions. WM Project musicians present original interpretations of the band's work, alongside jazz standards and their own compositions—offering a fresh and dynamic take on both classic and contemporary jazz. The term “Bikini Boys” was coined in postwar Poland as a nickname—sometimes with irony, sometimes with admiration—for a new generation of jazz musicians boldly embracing American musical styles in defiance of official doctrine. At the time, jazz was seen by the communist authorities as a dangerous Western influence: decadent, bourgeois, and ideologically subversive. Yet, despite censorship and repression, these artists found ways to explore and perform jazz, whether in clandestine clubs or within the limits of state-approved dance orchestras—often disguising artistic innovation as mere entertainment.
New York City, NY; NYC