Quidam is a talented Polish symphonic rock band, their name originating from the Latin word quidam- meaning `anonymous, without a name.' The current line-up of the group is: Emilia Derkowska (vocals, cello, acoustic guitar), Zbyszek Florek (keyboards), Rafal Jermakow (drumkit), Radek Scholl (bass), Maciek Meller (guitars) and Jacek Zasada (keys/reeds).
The band's genesis was in 1991, originally named `Deep River;' Maciek Meller, Radek Scholl and Rafal Jermakow met together and was shortly joined by Zbyszek Florek. In 1995, they renamed the group Quidam.
After going through a slew of singers, a vocalist- Ewa Smarzynska, who played flute, resulted in a more complex and sophisticated sound, reminiscent of early King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Renaissance and the like.
Upon receiving many awards for best band and vocalist at music festivals in Europe, the group released their first album in 1996 and was critically received in Poland and abroad.
On 25th January 1997 they finally toured outside Poland, at "Day Of Dreams" festival in Holland and the next year opened up for Camel in April. The same year, they played live in Corbigny, France at the "Proglive'97" festival and received a standing ovation.
In 1998, Ewa Smarzynska was replaced with Jacek Zasada, a student of the Music Academy in Gdansk. Their second album: "Sny Aniolow" ("Angels' Dreams"), was released in two language versions: Polish and English and distributed by the Musea label. They toured Europe spreading their beautiful sounds powered by the sweet voice of Emilia Derkowska, and gained overwhelming high praise.
1999, brought Quidam to Mexico to perform at the Baja Prog festival, and released a live album- `Live in Mexico '99,' which in my opinion is one of the best live CDs of the year.
Quidam are working on their 3rd studio album. Maciek states: "Our new CD will be released in February and in my opinion it'll show another face of our music. But it is still QUIDAM with it's own characteristic climate and melodies.
I hope that this band improves in popularity as they have progressed in their craft. On a personal note, the band members are very nice people, polite, talented and have a deep passion for what they do- create music.
DISCOGRAPHY
Quidam - 1996
Moje Anioly - 1998
Sny Aniolow - 1998
Baja Prog - Live in Mexico '99 - 1999
