prof. dr hab. Piotr Wojtasik

A trumpet virtuoso, outstanding improviser, and composer, for over 30 years he has spoken in his own unique musical language. He has recorded and performed in most European countries, as well as in Morocco, Israel, Canada, the United States, Japan, and India. In the 1980s and 1990s he was a representative of the modern bop style, which he has since developed into a more individual form, partly rooted in modal jazz, with subtle elements of free and ethnic music. He collaborates regularly with musicians such as John Betsch, Joris Teepe, Viktor Tóth, Steven McCraven, Nicolas Simion, Michał Barański, Michał Miśkiewicz, and Michał Tokaj. For many years he has been invited to work with legendary saxophonist Billy Harper. He has also taken part in numerous special projects featuring world-renowned jazz giants such as Kenny Garrett, Joe Lovano, and Archie Shepp. At the same time, he has performed as a sideman in ensembles that included musicians of the stature of Victor Lewis, George Cables, Kirk Lightsey, and Joe LaBarbera.

He is one of the few Polish musicians to be regularly invited to participate in international projects such as the Michel Donato Quintet and the European Jazz Ensemble. As a guest artist, he has appeared on several dozen albums. His own discography includes twelve original albums, all of which have been highly praised by critics and audiences alike. The albums Circle and Hope were honored with the prestigious Fryderyk Award, Poland’s top music industry prize, while most of his other albums have also received nominations. In 2008 Wojtasik himself won two Fryderyk Awards — as Jazz Musician of the Year and for Best Jazz Album of the Year for Circle. He has also been a multiple winner of the Jazz Forum magazine’s annual Jazz Top poll.

📷 Photo: Katarzyna Stańczyk