Zygmunt Karasinski (1898-1973) - violinist, pianist, saxophonist, composer, conductor, songwriter, pioneer of Jazz in Poland. Trained in piano first by his father, Adam Józef (known as the "Polish king of waltzes"), then studied violin at the Warsaw Conservatory(with Jerzy Jarzębski). After his studies, he traveled around Europe as a violinist in Harry Spieler's jazz group. In 1922 he returned to the country, played in the "Ziemiańska" cafe, among other places, and founded his first(of several) jazz band with Szymon Kataszek(the orchestra was called Golden Jazz / Jazz d'Or). Their 1922 performance at the prestigious Oaza dance hall is considered the first Jazz concert in Poland. They played in popular Warsaw revue theaters(Morskie Oko, Perskie Oko, Wesoły Wieczór) and even at the Warsaw Opera. Songs of his authorship were sung by the biggest stars (before the war, among others, Eugeniusz Bodo, Hanka Ordonówna, Chorus Dana, after the war, among others, Irena Santor, Mieczysław Fogg, Jerzy Połomski, Sława Przybylska). He worked with Polish Television and Polish Radio.
Handwritten dedication in pen (stating: Let all Warsaw know that the incomparable master Gracjan Lepianko is a wonderful man with a great heart and soul and my best friend. Warsaw on 22.XI 1966. Karasinski- above her verse notation text and All Warsaw | hit final song from the theater "Morskie Oko" | words: A.Włast music by Z.Karasinski) under a photograph of 11.9 x 8.6cm, mounted in a sheet of 22.8 x 15.7cm, on the verso of which a stamp: Gabinet for the Repair of Works of Art and Artistic Objects Gracjan Lepianko Warsaw, Krak.-Przedm. 10. and the same dedication in pen, but crossed out (dirty copy).
Condition: sheet with minor creases, soiling, photograph with creased corners (from dry mounting), minor scratches and soiling on the surface (dot on the front).
Gracjan Lepianko (1905 - 15 May 1991) - a Warsaw restorer who ran the Office for the Repair of Works of Art and Artistic Objects at 10 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street for several decades. He graduated from the Schools of Drawing and Painting at 9 Wierzbowa Street, the School of Applied Art at Chmielna Street and the School of Decorative Arts at Myśliwiecka Street, earning the title of master decorative painter and master of artistic metal products. He began studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, but the financial situation forced him to interrupt his studies and take up a job. He became self-employed in 1931 and changed locations several times(before, 1952, he ended up in Krakowskie Przedmieście). He was passionate about sports, training amateur boxing and wrestling. During World War II, a passion for reviving "dead"/destroyed objects awoke in him. He not only repaired but also collected antiques. After the war he became very popular, there were films about him, mentions in the press and guidebooks. Visited by numerous celebrities(of many fields), who sometimes left commemorative entries.
