Marek
Kądziela

A distinctive feature of his musical language is his approach to the electric guitar — not only as a harmonic and solo instrument, but also as a source of timbre, texture and sound. Combining guitar with effects and electronic sound processing, Kądziela moves between composition and improvisation, consistently seeking his own means of expression.

He has collaborated with Anna Maria Jopek, Leszek Możdżer, Michał Urbaniak, Piotr Wojtasik, Adam Bałdych, Maciej Obara, Steven Bernstein, Anders Mogensen and Kasper Tom Christiansen, among others. He leads and co-creates numerous projects, including Marek Kądziela Jazz Ensemble, Marek Kądziela ADHD, Marek Kądziela Trio, Hunger Pangs, Kądziela & Wójciński and Odpoczno.

Another important area of his work is the traditional music of his native Opoczno region. Since 2014, he has been learning directly from village musicians, exploring its distinctive phrasing, rhythm, pulse and melodic construction. He develops these experiences in Odpoczno, among other projects, bringing living tradition into dialogue with a contemporary musical language.

For many years, he was closely involved in the Scandinavian jazz scene. He studied jazz guitar and composition in Denmark, graduating from The Carl Nielsen Academy of Music and Syddansk Musikkonservatorium. He holds a habilitation in musical arts and is a university professor. Since 2019, he has headed the jazz unit at the Academy of Music in Łódź.

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

2026 — Bronze Medal for Merit to Culture — Gloria Artis

2024 — Award from the Mayor of Łódź for achievements in artistic creation and the promotion and protection of culture

2023 — Medal marking the 600th anniversary of Łódź

2023 — Folk Phonogram of the Year — Odpoczno, ‘Dryf’

2022 — Plastry Kultury — Marek Kądziela Jazz Ensemble

2020 — Scholarship from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage

2018 — WOMEX Showcase — Odpoczno, the only Polish representative in the official programme

2015 — Third prize in Polish Radio’s ‘Nowa Tradycja’ Folk Music Competition — Odpoczno

2014 — Grand Prix Jazz Melomani — ‘Jazz Oscar’

2009 — Award for the competition’s outstanding musical personality — Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa

2008 — Honourable mention — Jazz nad Odrą

2007 — First prize — Guitar City master competition for jazz guitarists

SELECTED ARTISTIC PROJECTS

Marek Kądziela Trio · Marek Kądziela Jazz Ensemble · Marek Kądziela ADHD · Odpoczno · Hunger Pangs · Kądziela & Wójciński · KaMaSz · K.R.A.N. · Off Quartet

ACADEMIC WORK

He holds a habilitation in musical arts and is a university professor. Since 2019, he has headed the jazz unit at the Academy of Music in Łódź — from 2019 to 2026 as Head of the Institute of Jazz Instrumental Performance, and since 2026 as Head of the Department of Jazz.

He is one of the principal architects of the jazz curriculum at the Institute and subsequently the Faculty of Jazz. He teaches jazz guitar, improvisation, ensemble improvisation, instrumental ensembles, and methods of teaching improvisation and directing ensembles.

PROGRAMMING AND CURATORIAL WORK

Artistic director of Volbórka Jazz Festival from 2018 to 2023. Creator and initiator of LDZ Guitar Jazz Fest and Jazz Boat Competition. For many years, he ran his own ‘Jam Session Marka Kądzieli’ series at the Wytwórnia and Foto Cafe clubs in Łódź.

He also develops musical projects and programmes with cultural institutions in Łódź, including ‘Jazzowe Wtorki’, ‘Potańcówki z muzyką na żywo’ and ‘Sobotnie Brzmienia’ at Łódzkie Centrum Wydarzeń; ‘Jazzowy Raut’ and ‘Muzyczne Odkrycia’ at Miejska Strefa Kultury; and ‘Jazzowa Jazda po Łódzkiem’ in collaboration with Łódzki Dom Kultury.

AREAS OF ACTIVITY

Electric guitar · composition · improvisation · electronics and sound design · jazz · improvised music · traditional music · recording · arts education · programming and curating musical events