Legendary jazz vocalist Aga Zaryan presented a fantastic, unforgettable concert in Los Angeles, broadcast live on Facebook. She came from Poland to record an album with Darek Oleszkiewicz, bassist, Larry Koonse, guitarist, and Munyungo Jackson, drummer. This is their second album with the same cast – titled Second Time Around – recorded in August 2025. The concert on Saturday, August 9, 2025, took place in Paul Kulak's studio, known as Kulak's Woodshed, crammed with photographs and posters, and bizarre decorations (chairs on the ceiling, CDs strung up like laundry...). This unique space holds a secret: ultra-professional video and sound equipment tucked away deep in Kulak's Woodshed. The program was packed with world premieres, but also with standards... But first, let's introduce the performers.
The first joint album of this group of expert musicians, Picking Up the Pieces (2006/2011), is a deeply expressive, critically and commercially successful album that marked Aga Zaryan’s transition from national to international acclaim. Featuring a potent mix of jazz standards and a few original pieces, it explores emotional and spiritual narratives centered on women’s experiences. The album was a major breakthrough: it achieved double platinum in Poland and became a European adult contemporary bestseller. Critics praised its intimate feel and fresh interpretations. Newsweek highlighted Zaryan’s “charm and talent.”
AGA ZARYAN‘s creativity is the quintessence of that which is finest in the history of jazz, a continuation of the tradition of legendary accomplishments by female jazz vocalists. The artist owes her worldwide recognition to a unique style, with a characteristic lightness of phrasing and a warm, matte tone of voice. She was the first Polish artist to release records under New York’s legendary Blue Note Records label. With this, the Artist joined names such as: Norah Jones, Nina Simone, Miles Davis and Bobby McFerrin. Aga Zaryan is a recipient of the most important awards in the music world, recognized as one of Poland’s finest jazz vocalists (a many-time winner of Jazz Forum magazine’s Jazz Top poll – in the Jazz Vocalist of The Year category).
The record-breaking sales of her albums show that ambition, and a sublime style, allow her to reach a wide-ranging community of listeners. The Artist wins the hearts of audiences, performing all over the world. Zaryan is also actively involved in a number of social causes, being a PAH Ambassador and an associate of KPH, and having been awarded the Star of Charity in 2017. This year, she was recognized as the best jazz vocalist in the Jazz Top 2024 survey by the Jazz Forum magazine.
.jpg)
DAREK OLESZKIEWICZ, known professionally as DAREK OLES, is a Grammy-nominated jazz bassist and educator. Born in Wrocław, Poland, Darek began his musical education early and played various instruments before focusing on the acoustic bass. He gained recognition in Poland through numerous awards and performances with leading jazz groups. In 1988, he moved to Los Angeles, where he studied with Charlie Haden at the California Institute of the Arts on a full scholarship. Oles has since become a faculty member at both CalArts and the University of Southern California. Oles has performed and recorded with jazz luminaries such as Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny, Joe Lovano, and many others. His extensive discography includes about 100 albums, several of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards.
LARRY KOONSE – Born in San Diego Larry Koonse grew up in a musical family and began studying guitar at age seven, deeply influenced by his father, jazz guitarist Dave Koonse. At fifteen, he recorded his first album with his dad (Dave and Larry Koonse; Father and Son Jazz Guitars). In 1984, he became the first to earn a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from USC. Career highlights include ◦ International Touring & Collaborations: Spent six years touring with the John Dankworth quartet and vocalist Cleo Laine ◦ Session & Ensemble Work: Featured on over 300 albums, including sessions for Mel Tormé, Luciana Souza, Natalie Cole, Rod Stewart, Lee Konitz, Bob Brookmeyer, and others. ◦ Grammy Recognition: Multiple Grammy nominations with Billy Childs’s chamber sextet (Lyric and Autumn: In Moving Pictures) and Luciana Souza’s projects (Tide, Book of Chet).
• Solo Projects & Ensembles: Led and co-led groups such as the L.A. Jazz Quartet (e.g., Conversation Piece, Astarte, Family Song) and released critically acclaimed solo albums (Jazz Compass label): Americana, Dialogues of the Heart (with Dave Koonse), Storybook, and What’s in the Box.
• Noteworthy Performances: Soloist at Carnegie Hall, Disney Hall, Sydney Opera House, performances with the L.A. Philharmonic and other major orchestras. Played at high-profile events, such as Nelson Mandela’s inaugural SAMIX festival in South Africa. Larry Koonse has built a remarkable career as a versatile and deeply respected jazz guitarist, seamlessly balancing rich recording and performance credentials with decades of teaching and mentorship.
Percussionist, composer, arranger, producer, author, and four-time Grammy winner MUNYUNGO JACKSON brings an ever-growing collection of instruments to his craft. This warm and unassuming West Coast artist is a sought-after presence in virtually any musical setting, from funk, pop, and jazz to Latin, reggae, and the traditional dance music of Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Haiti, Brazil, and Cuba. Munyungo was born in Los Angeles, California, into a creative family. His parents, Arthur Jackson Jr. and Genie Jackson, were both deeply involved in music, dance, and writing, and Munyungo is the nephew of the legendary jazz, pop, and blues singer-pianist Nellie Lutcher, who recorded for Capitol Records. Munyungo is an accomplished musician with more than 30 years of experience. His exceptional versatility has earned him widespread respect and made him a highly sought-after performer for studio sessions, concerts, and tours. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with iconic artists such as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Kenny Loggins, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, the Zawinul Syndicate, George Howard, Ronnie Laws, The Temptations, Four Tops, The Supremes, Bennie Maupin, Bill Summers, Marcus Miller, and many others. He has also worked with numerous ethnic music and dance ensembles, further showcasing his talents.
Zaryan began the evening with the title song from the film "The Tomasz Crown Affair," written by Michel Legrand. The first part of the program was ballad-like and reflective, featuring world premieres of original compositions by Oleszkiewicz and Koonse with lyrics by Zaryan herself, including the touching "Save the Children." The singer perfectly matched this tone with her interpretation of Sting's little-known song, "Russians"—because "they also love their children."
To honor the fighters and victims of the Warsaw Uprising (which began on August 1, 1944), Zaryan performed a song from her CD dedicated to the Uprising's young poets, with lyrics by Krystyna Krahelska, who died on August 2, 1944, having written a sweet poem about love a month earlier. Consul General of the Republic of Poland, Paulina Kapuścińska, spoke about this Fryderyk-winning album at the opening. After the recital, Aga Zaryan and the Consul discussed the tragedy and heroism of the Uprising with Professor Andrzej Targowski, honorary president of the Uprising Children's Organization, who, as a 7-year-old, survived the murder of his family.
The second part of the program featured an interpretation of the title standard, "Second Time Around," with a score by Sammy Cahn and music by Jimmy Van Heusen, familiar from Frank Sinatra's repertoire. Melodies by Wayne Shorter, Tina Turner, and Steve Wonder, performed at a more upbeat pace, interspersed a series of duets with bassist Darek Oleszkiewicz and guitarist Larry Koonse. Listeners praised Zaryan's warm, honeyed voice, which blended beautifully with the ensemble. "I didn't know it was possible to have such a wonderful dialogue while singing with a double bass (vocalist Karolina Naziemiec confirmed that she does indeed sing beautifully with Darek, and her recording on Spotify is proof of that).
KULAK’S WOODSHED is a Live Music Video Recording Venue that seats 49, with 24 Track Pro Tools audio and Webcast created for the promotion of singer songwriters. Artists here range from beginners to Grammy winners.Created by Paul Kulak in 1999, Kulak’s Woodshed evolved into a community labor of love, operated by skilled volunteers and supported by audience donations. All are welcome, any age, and music styles. Self serve snacks, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. Pet friendly. Their last Polish event was a concert by Ewa Zmijewska and Shandy Caspar in 2019.
Established in 2008, the PADEREWSKI MUSIC SOCIETY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that honors the legacy of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the celebrated concert pianist, composer, philanthropist and Prime Minister who guided Poland to independence after WWI. Paderewski edited Chopin's scores for publication and is known as THE person who brought Chopin's works to light with his rousing worldwide performances in the early 1900s. Since its inception, in addition to having organized three international piano competitions, the Society has sponsored concerts, piano recitals, masterclasses, fundraising events and film screenings. The roster of world-class artists presented included well-established names as well as the most promising members of the younger generation and included Lee Kum Sing, John Perry, Piotr Kosinski, Hubert Rutkowski, Xiayin Wang, Andrew Yang, Zheeyoung Moon, Adam Wibrowski, Edward Wolanin, Peter Toth, Gloria Campaner, Dmitry Rachmanov, Gloria Cheng, Kamil Pacholec and Wojciech Kocyan. Most recently, the Society established a scholarship fund to aid in the education of most deserving young pianists.
