Interview With Musician Andrzej Święs About His Artistic Life

– Can we get to know you?

I’m a musician and bass player based in Warsaw, Poland, with a passion for jazz, improvised music, and music as a whole process of expression and creativity. I grew up in Nowy Sącz, small city in the south of Poland.

For almost twenty years, I have had the opportunity to perform with a diverse array of musicians, including internationally renowned artists such as Stewart Copeland, Jules Buckley, Greg Osby, Lee Konitz, George Garzone, Randy Brecker, Jan “Ptaszyn” Wróblewski, Janusz Muniak, Zbigniew Namyslowski, Adam Pierończyk, Grzegorz Nagórski, Maciej Sikała, Joachim Mencel, Henryk Miśkiewicz, Dorota Miśkiewicz, Kuba Stankiewicz, Judy Bady, Jacek Kochan, Dominik Wania, Marek Napiórkowski, Kuba Więcek, Clarence Penn, Manuel Valera, Kasia Pietrzko Trio, Kamil Piotrowicz Sextet, Marita Alban Juarez, Krzysztof Dys, and Adam Bałdych.

Andrzej Święs – Photo are taken by Sisi Cecylia JazzyShots.

In addition to performing in jazz clubs and major venues throughout Poland, I have also performed on international stages in countries such as Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, Hungary, the USA, Canada, Morocco, Russia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, but unfortunately, I have never had the chance to play in Turkey.

I have played on over fifty albums as a sideman, most of which you can find on my Spotify playlist titled “Discography” on my Spotify account.

Recently I did my first debut album recording „Flying Lion”.

– What is the story of how you became familiar with your instrument?

I became interested in music as a child because my dad collected jazz albums. He was the first person who showed me the music world. My first instrument was the bass guitar, and since jazz is mainly associated with the double bass, it became my main instrument which I started to study. Classical studies at the Music Academy in Poznań gave me a solid foundation in technique on the instrument, and further jazz studies at the Music Academy in Katowice helped me gain experience and professional contacts in the field of jazz music. So I started to work as a musician during my studies and it has been like that since 2006. In reality, I still feel like a student discovering newer areas of music and playing techniques.

– How do you see the interest in your musical style in the world? And how is the situation in your country?

On one hand, jazz and improvised music have their audience around the world, but on the other hand, today we have so many performers and bands that it really takes effort to reach the audience, especially if you are just building your position. I am fortunate to play with many artists, which in some way makes me recognizable and may make it a bit easier and more effective to promote my album “Flying Lion.” Nevertheless, it still requires a lot of work, which is very time-consuming, especially if you are doing it alone.

– Do you know Turkey? Are there any music artists from our country that you follow?

First of all I am deeply sorry for the earthquake that hit Turkey recently and caused so much destruction and loss. I would like to send words of support to all those who have been affected by this disaster. Remember that you are not alone, and the world stands with you in these difficult times. I wish You to recover as soon as possible and rebuild your lives. Believe that with determination and solidarity, anything is possible.

Unfortunately, I have never been to Turkey, but I am convinced that it is a country full of many colors, interesting culture, and wonderful people. One of the proofs of this is Aydin Esen – a great musician, improviser, whose music has been inspiring me for several years now. He is one of my latest greatest musical discoveries. I believe that his art is a true treasure and national asset.

– Can you tell us about any new projects you have in the works?

My latest band is called “Flying Lion” – it’s my perspective in terms of composition, sound, and vision of the music that I wrote and recorded on an album with the same title. I play only bass guitar with the use of sound-modulating effects, which ultimately gives a colorful narrative. The album features eleven tracks played in a trio with wonderful prominent musicians: Rafał Sarnecki on guitar and Paweł Dobrowolski on drums. I encourage you to listen to the album 🙂

Soon there will also be a premiere of an album by young pianist Kasia Pietrzko, released as part of the Polish Jazz series by Warner Music Poland. It’s a band that I have been playing with for several years, and we also play my compositions.

If I may, I would recommend the music that I recently recorded with other interesting musicians: Kamil Piotrowicz Sextet – “Weird Heaven”, Krzysztof Dys – “Legato” or Marita Alban Juarez – “Jazmines”.

If you are interested in music I recorded you can find it on my Spotify playlist titled “Discography” on my Spotify account.