PIOTR WYLEŻOŁ
- outstanding, multi-award winning and widely recognized on international jazz scene Polish jazz pianist, composer and band leader, “One of Europe’s most prodigiously talented pianist in Europe” (Amrys Baird “Jazz&Blues, London 2016).
By many listeners and critics Piotr is characterized as truly original artist by his unique melodic approach, noticeable Slavic lyricism, finesse of composition and harmony. Piotr has been creating his own music for years and is considered one of the greatest jazz creators and musicians of his generation in Poland.
His last Quartet is currently the most significant jazz groups in Poland. Their first album - “I Love Music” released in 2024, received rave and enthusiastic reviews in many European countries, and was nominated to most important Polish Music Award “Fryderyk” (Grammy equivalent in Poland) as THE BEST JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2024.
Moreover, the music from this album brought to Piotr Wyleżoł himself 2 more nominations: as BEST JAZZ COMPOSER OF THE YEAR and ARTIST OF THE YEAR.
With his another important album “Human Things” released in 2018 Piotr wrote a new chapter in the legendary Polish Jazz publishing series, thus fitting in the pantheon of the greatest Polish jazzmen in history, among such legends as Krzysztof Komeda, Tomasz Stanko, Zbigniew Namyslowski and others.
Piotr was born December 6th, 1976 and, as a child, was already winning awards at national piano competitions in Poland. He was called the „golden child“ when at 10 and 11 years old, he performed Mozart and Beethoven piano concertos with the Philharmonic Orchestras.
Few years later, in 1999r Piotr graduated from the Jazz Department in the Academy of Music in Katowice. As a student Piotr started to co-operate with giants of Polish jazz like Janusz Muniak, or Jarek Smietana, Ewa Bem and others. Wyleżoł was also the laureate of the individual award at the International Jazz Improvisation Competition, special prize for the best instrumentalist on Jazz nad Odrą International Competition and Festival as well as many other jazz competitions with several groups.
Since beginning his activity as an artist, Piotr Wyleżoł is leading bands playing his original music. He recorded 14 albums as leader and several dozen with other artists. His last Trio album: “Children's Episodes” released by Fresh Sound Records label, was nominated for a Fryderyk Award (Poland's equivalent of a Grammy Award), in the Jazz Album of The Year category.
Besides the artistic career, since 2008 Piotr Wyleżoł has been leading the Jazz Piano Class at the Krakow Academy of Music.
However, since the first, debut album "Yearning", released in Poland and Japan, recorded while studying at the Jazz Department of the Academy of Music in Katowice, critics did not spare warm words:
“This is one of the most interesting debut albums. A trio composed of young Polish musicians built an atmosphere worthy of the greatest achievements in their genre” (European Jazz Magazine “Jazz Forum”).
“Hats off” – was the title of the article in one of the German magazines reporting the performance promoting the first album of the young Piotr Wylezol trio in Dusseldorf.