Mietek Szczesniak, a critically acclaimed recording artist and established superstar in Poland, has achieved notable milestones throughout his career: having begun working as a young singer during the difficult and repressive days of communism–survived very hard years, ultimately winning many festival competitions throughout Poland and Europe, and finally the right to record his own music–to be considered today a national treasure in Poland.
A versatile master singer and hit songwriter, Szczesniak has scored huge successes in jazz, pop, film, tv and semi classical areas in Poland, with the equivalent of multiple grammys. His latest works, two brilliant jazz based projects, have gained platinum status in Poland: one a collaboration in English with the great Krzystof Herdzin and trio, “Songs from Yesterday”, and the other, “Nierowni” recorded with Brazilian star Paulinho Garcia- a collection of the poems of classic Polish icon Jan Twardoski, all set to original Brazilian style music. Along with that, Mietek has recorded an album in English with the Grammy nominated writer artist Wendy Waldman, as well as a forthcoming cd with the iconic R & B producer, writer, music director or Aretha Franklin and others, HB Barnum and his Life Choir.
Together with Edyta Gorniak, Mietek recorded “Dumka na Dwa Serca,” the most popular Polish film soundtrack song of all time and a vocal tour-de-force for both artists. The track cemented Mietek’s reputation as the finest male singer in Poland, an opinion which is widely held today. Polish audiences everywhere know and love Mietek – he sings with choirs, orchestras, for children, with other artists, for charity, on television, in concert – his distinctive and soulful voice can be heard on TV soundtracks, in video games, church programs, jazz festivals and of course, on pop radio.
His newest project for Poland only is a wonderful collection of classic jazz compositions set for and sung by a choir of children and Mietek. Mietek and his collaborators were convinced that jazz is not inaccessible or complicated, but in fact something that everyone can enjoy when simply exposed to it for itself. To that end, they constructed a truly delightful program with sweet lyrics for kids in Polish—the kids have a wonderful time, and sing these tunes easily with no idea that this is “hard”. Needless to say it is an infectious project and a brilliant educational tool, especially in a country where jazz has figured so prominently in the national cultural landscape.
Hailing from the ancient city of Kalisz, one of the oldest in Europe, Mietek grew up under communism, and started singing in front of live audiences at the age of six. In his teens, he began attracting attention as a very gifted singer. At the age of twenty one, he made his official debut at the Polish Song Festival, where he won the main prize. He continued participating in international festivals around the world, from Alma–Ata, Russia, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Israel to most of the European countries and the USA. However, he was still not “allowed” to record his own album for several years. When he finally did, in 1990, he hit the charts immediately and became a singing star in newly liberated Poland. Mietek has released numerous hit records as an artist as well as a songwriter for other acts. There are countless YouTube videos, songs, and excellent musical projects of all types on the Internet today reflecting his wide scope of musical talent and interest.
His newest studio recording, Signs, is his first English language album, written and co-produced with the GRAMMY®-nominated American songwriter/producer Wendy Waldman. Recorded on two continents with a crew of brilliant Polish and American musicians and writers – is a panoramic collection of songs reflecting influences ranging in content from Slavic and Eastern music to American-style gospel tracks recorded with the legendary HB Barnum and Life Choir in Los Angeles – the album’s bold vision casts Mietek as storyteller and guide to a musical world without borders. During the album’s sessions, Barnum (who has arranged music for icons such as Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Frank Sinatra and numerous others) noted to Mietek and Waldman that they are “building a new culture” with this powerful new project.
Hailing from the ancient city of Kalisz, one of the oldest in Europe, Mietek grew up under communism, and started singing in front of live audiences at the age of six. In his teens, he began attracting attention as a very gifted singer. At the age of twenty one, he made his official debut at the Polish Song Festival, where he won the main prize. He continued participating in international festivals around the world, from Alma–Ata, Russia, Turkey, Hong Kong, and Israel to most of the European countries and the USA. However, he was still not “allowed” to record his own album for several years. When he finally did, in 1990, he hit the charts immediately and became a singing star in newly liberated Poland. Mietek has released numerous hit records as an artist as well as a songwriter for other acts. There are countless YouTube videos, songs, and excellent musical projects of all types on the Internet today reflecting his wide scope of musical talent and interest.
Together with Edyta Gorniak, Mietek recorded “Dumka na Dwa Serca,” the most popular Polish film soundtrack song of all time and a vocal tour-de-force for both artists. The track cemented Mietek’s reputation as the finest male singer in Poland, an opinion which is widely held today. Polish audiences everywhere know and love Mietek – he sings with choirs, orchestras, for children, with other artists, for charity, on television, in concert – his distinctive and soulful voice can be heard on TV soundtracks, in video games, church programs, jazz festivals and of course, on pop radio.
Western audiences have had very limited exposure to the great modern artists from Eastern Europe until now, some countries more than others–particularly Poland. These superb talents have been locked behind decades of communism and its aftermath and the restrictions placed on them as they developed. Mietek says that growing up, neither he nor any of his artist friends ever dreamed about coming to the west because it was almost impossible to get a passport–but they studied everything they could get their hands on, and as a result, there is a rich musical world waiting to be discovered in Poland and beyond. Mietek was allowed to travel as a representative of Poland in various European contests, but true interaction with western musicians is only now beginning. Poland’s democracy is 24 years old–and the collaboration between these stupendous musicians and our own artists here in America will be growing as time goes by. Mietek is the face and voice of that new collaboration.
As a Pole, he sits at the crossroads of many rich musical traditions, both eastern and western, all of which appear in his masterful and soulful vocal style, the production values in his recordings, his superb songwriting, and the wide variety of artists with whom he has collaborated. His insatiable curiosity to explore new musical worlds has led him to work in many fields: world music, pop, gospel, jazz, classical, soul, funk, and Brazililan music. His influences come both from the west and the east–a passion for American pop and jazz combines with a love of Arabic and Asian music, all reflected in his vocal approach.
It is time for the world to hear Mietek.
