Sebastian Zawadzki

Sebastian Zawadzki (born in Toruń, 14.10.1991) - a versatile Polish musician of the young generation; pianist, composer, and improviser. Lives and works in Copenhagen collaborating with many already recognized artists.

A graduate of master's studies at Rytmisk Music Konservatorium in Copenhagen, Academy of Music in Krakow, and ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop with Richard Bellis in Los Angeles in 2016. He started his musical journey in Toruń, where he began his studies at the Karol Szymanowski Music School at the first and second degree level. He can already boast of releasing several original and sideman albums. A winner of numerous awards and an active participant in concerts held in Poland and abroad. He composed the soundtrack for the film 'Nu vandrer liver' directed by Sicilia Luna, which premiered at the Cannes festival (2016).

In his work, he tries to combine jazz, film, and improvised music. He does not like to set unbreakable boundaries that pigeonhole contemporary music industry. Among his achievements are albums such as: Norn (2018); Piano Works Vol. 1 (2018) or Between the Dusk of a Summer Night (2017). The next planned release is the second installment of Piano Works Vol. 2 (2018). He collaborated with the Polish label Fortune Records.

Key concerts, competitions, and awards:
Novum Jazz Festival (2009 and 2011)
Young Bands Review in Gdynia (second prize)
Tarnów Jazz Contest (second prize, solo category)
Jazz Juniors 2011 in Krakow (individual award)
European Jazz Competition in Rome (Grand Prix)
Transatlantyk Film Festival in Łódź 2016 (first prize Transatlantyk Instant Composition)
Film Scoring Workshops 2016 (workshop participant)

Artist Statement / Credo

I am an optimist with a few reservations. An important aspect of my activity is the need for regular and active participation in increasingly new concerts, competitions, and music festivals. I have set myself the noble goal of creating ambitious art that will allow me to earn a regular income. At the moment, the economic aspect strongly influences what I do. I make a living by conducting an amateur symphony orchestra in Copenhagen. I work on my own projects almost every day in my spare time and most often pay for them from my own savings. However, it is precisely this activity that gives me the greatest satisfaction. Artistic plans to be realized and the prospect of engaging in inspiring collaborations with artists are what constantly drives me.

I try to act comprehensively, combining the skills of a pianist, composer, and experimenter in my activities. Therefore, it is not surprising that I derive great pleasure from both working in the comfort of my home and performing in front of an audience. I assume that multidirectionality contributes to self-development, but without knowledge of the foundations such as classical works of legendary composers, I could not afford jazz or electrifying experiments. The most valuable projects for me are original projects, to which I devote myself one hundred percent, taking care of every detail.

I do not want to assume from the outset that I only play jazz or only classical music. I avoid categorization, attaching top-down imposed 'labels,' and staying longer in one environment or convention. In my current projects, elements of classical music or ambient electronic music dominate, complementing the sound of acoustic instruments, which of course may change over time. If I were to specify the character of my work, I would describe it as gentle and orderly, resonating with the surrounding space.

Scandinavian culture is a factor that has contributed not only to my musical education but also allowed me to look a little more broadly at the reality surrounding me. Besides, I am interested in politics, physics, and astronomy.

Official website:
www.sebastian-zawadzki.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/SebastianZawadzkiMusic
Soundcloud:
www.soundcloud.com/sebastian-zawadzki
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/zawadzkimusic