On 6 July 2012, alderman Jacques Costongs awarded the Henriëtte Hustinx Prize 2012 to Greg and Piotr Torunski, graduated in saxophone and bass clarinet in the jazz department of the conservatory.
Op 6 juli 2012 heeft wethouder Jacques Costongs de Henriëtte Hustinxprijs 2012 uitgereikt aan Greg en Piotr Torunski, afgestudeerden in saxofoon en bas-klarinet aan de jazz-afdeling van het conservatorium.
Pjotr Torunski
Pjotr Torunski is steadily gaining attention as one of the most talented bass clarinet players of his generation. With numerous performances at internationally recognized venues, musical awards, and a refreshingly original sound, he continues to build his reputation as a talented and versatile musician. In 2011, he completed his Master's studies with Claudius Valk at the Maastricht Academy of Music with a mark of ten out of ten. He has won several prizes, such as the Grand Prix Award (First Prize) in the European Competition of Symphony Orchestras in Neerpelt, Belgium and First Prize in the European Competition of Symphony Orchestras in Nyiregyhaza, Hungary. He has collaborated with famous conductors, inciuding Krzysztof Penderecki and Larry Livingston. He has published three CDs: Pjotr Torunski - The Bass Invasion, Bros Playin Across - GrePol M.A.F.I.A and Palais Noir- Le Voici Qui Arrive.
Greg Torunski
Greg Torunski (saxophone) has already been hugeiy successful in recent years playing on the Dutch I German I American music scene. He studied with Claudius Valk and obtained his Bachelor's degree at the Maastricht Academy of Music in 2010, graduating with a mark of 9.5 out of 10. In 2012, he obtained a Masters degree from the Hochschule for Music in Cologne, with the highest distinction. He did his Master's studies in New York, working together with David Binney. Greg recently graduated cum laude for the Master's degree at the Maastricht Academy of Music with a mark of 10 out of 10. He currently works as a sideman and composer in GrePol M.A.F.I.A, Palais Noir, Greg Torunski Sextet, Torunski-Van Stratum Project 'Trio, Half Sextet and the Torunski Duo Project'. He has cooperated with various musicians, such as Gino Vanelii, Gerard Cannon and David Liebman. His international career has been noted at several festivals: Ghost House Jazz Festival (Greece), Jekerjazz, Parcours Festival and Coup Maastricht. The last duo concerts together with Pjotr Torunski in the Birds Eye Jazz Club Basel, led to a tour in India (2012) which will feature Jazz Band 'Kendraka'. in June 2011, he released his first debut CD 'Changes' under the Dutch Label 'Turnkey Music Soiutions' in colaboration with musicians from the Cologne Jazz Scene.