Tomasz Szukalski
Tomasz Szukalski was a Polish jazz saxophone player, composer and improviser. Tomasz is most known for his performances as sideman of Tomasz Stańko, Edward Vesala and Zbigniew Namysłowski. Awarded Magister of Music at Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, Warsaw.
Life and career
Early years
Tomasz studied clarinet but preferred to perform on tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone and on special occasions on bass clarinet. Being experiment friendly Tomasz even once tried a chainsaw.Tomasz started his career in the jazz orchestras of Zbigniew Namysłowski and Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski often outperforming the bandleaders. Other members of the bands included Tomasz Stańko, Zbigniew Seifert, Adam Makowicz, :pl:Włodzimierz Nahorny|Włodzimierz Nahorny, :pl:Janusz Muniak|Janusz Muniak, Michał Urbaniak and Tomasz's lifelong mate Wojciech Karolak.
Tomasz Stańko, ECM and SBB
In the 1970s Tomasz's performances became more avant-garde and free. His bandmates at this time were Tomasz Stańko, Peter Warren and Edward Vesala but Tomasz performed also with Arild Andersen, Dave Holland, Palle Danielsson, Palle Mikkelborg, Terje Rypdal, Juhani Aaltonen and :de:Antti Hytti|Antti Hytti. During this period Tomasz recorded, as sideman, for the prestigious jazz label ECM Records.Parallel to touring Scandinavia and West Europe with jazz musicians Tomasz performed in Polish People's Republic with the progressive Silesian rockband SBB.
The Quartet and Józef Skrzek
In 1977 Tomasz consolidated his own band :pl:The Quartet|The Quartet, which soon gained reputation. His bandmates were :pl:Sławomir Kulpowicz|Sławomir Kulpowicz, :pl:Paweł Jarzębski|Paweł Jarzębski and :pl:Janusz Stefański|Janusz Stefański. In the years 1980-1981 Tomasz continued a duo cooperation with SBB's leader Józef Skrzek and the planned for autumn 1981 joint performance of, almost cultic, SBB and his own :pl:The Quartet|The Quartet at the renowned Jazz Jamboree festival, due the tense political situation in Poland, was not finalized. In 1981 Tomasz also performed with Józef Skrzek in the movie "".Just weeks before the onset of martial law in Poland Tomasz performed with Józef Skrzek, :pl:Andrzej Ryszka|Andrzej Ryszka, :pl:Andrzej Urny|Andrzej Urny, Dean Brown and Gil Goldstein in Warsaw and at a workshop in memory of John Coltrane, organised by Joachim-Ernst Berendt at :de:Liste der SWR New Jazz Meetings|Südwestfunk in Baden-Baden with his :pl:The Quartet|The Quartet friends, Tomasz Stańko, Albert Mangelsdorff and John Coltrane’s last drummer Rashied Ali. During Tomasz's stay in Vienna, following December 1981 Czechoslovakia tour, martial law was onset and Tomasz returned home.
Martial law - Time killers
Tomasz joined again the orchestra of Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski. In 1984 Tomasz mobilised his energy to record with his old mates Wojciech Karolak and :pl:Czesław Bartkowski|Czesław Bartkowski the groovy "Time Killers", which instantly became a hit. In 1985 Tomasz consolidated his new quartet with :pl:Piotr Biskupski|Piotr Biskupski, :pl:Andrzej Cudzich|Andrzej Cudzich and :pl:Andrzej Jagodziński |Andrzej Jagodziński but the quartet didn't survive.New hope - Artur, Alain, Antti, Apostolis, Arild
After 1990 Tomasz performed in various constellations, recorded as sideman and special guest providing unforgettable saxophone solos, and started a long lasting cooperation with the young pianist :pl:Artur Dutkiewicz|Artur Dutkiewicz.During his last years Tomasz performed with :pl:Artur Dutkiewicz|Artur Dutkiewicz, Wojciech Karolak, Alain Brunet, Tadeusz Nalepa, :pl:Piotr Wojtasik|Piotr Wojtasik, :pl:Wojciech Majewski|Wojciech Majewski, Tomasz Stańko, Apostolis Anthimos, Arild Andersen, :pl:Janusz Skowron |Janusz Skowron, Karin Krog and :de:Antti Hytti|Antti Hytti.
Disillusion and death
Tomasz was expropriated and, after losing his home, divorced and spent more than a decade in his primitive cabin outside Warsaw, where he had been, since 2004, massively harassed by the remains of SB. Also his best, custom made, instruments were stolen. :pl:The Quartet|The Quartet reunited and performed some concerts across Europe in 2006 and 2007 but soon :pl:Sławomir Kulpowicz|Sławomir Kulpowicz died. Due to massive harassment and provocations Tomasz had a stroke. Around 2009 sick and homeless himself Tomasz gained some attention of friends, especially from :pl:Artur Dutkiewicz|Artur Dutkiewicz, who organised "The Day of The Jackal" benefit concerts in several major Polish cities. The last and biggest one, organised in Warsaw on November 21, 2010, became the greatest jazz performance of this year in Poland. The following musicians helped Tomasz find a place at an :pl:Dom Artystów Weteranów Scen Polskich|artist's asylum in Skolimów outside Warsaw:- :pl:Michał Barański|Michał Barański - double bass
- :pl:Ewa Bem|Ewa Bem - vocal
- :pl:Daniel Biel|Danel Biel - double bass
- David Dorůžka - guitar
- Urszula Dudziak - vocal
- :pl:Artur Dutkiewicz|Artur Dutkiewicz - piano
- :pl:Tomasz Grzegorski|Tomasz Grzegorski - sax
- :pl:Krzysztof Herdzin|Krzysztof Herdzin - piano
- :pl:Borys Janczarski|Borys Janczarski - sax
- :pl:Paweł Jarzębski|Paweł Jarzębski - double bass
- Kazimierz Jonkisz - drums
- Wojciech Karolak - Hammond organ
- :pl:Tomasz Krawczyk|Tomasz Krawczyk - guitar
- :pl:Sławomir Kurkiewicz|Sławomir Kurkiewicz - double bass
- :pl:Robert Majewski|Robert Majewski - piano
- Adam Makowicz - piano
- Michał Miśkiewicz - drums
- Leszek Możdżer - piano
- :pl:Łukasz Poprawski|Łukasz Poprawski - sax
- :pl:Wojciech Pulcyn|Wojciech Pulcyn - bass
- :pl:Janusz Stefański|Janusz Stefański - drums
- Józef Skrzek - piano, minimoog, harmonica, vocal
- :pl:Jorgos Skolias|Jorgos Skolias - vocal
- Tomasz Stańko - trumpet
- :pl:Krzysztof Ścierański|Krzysztof Ścierański - bass, guitar
- :pl:Jarosław Śmietana|Jarosław Śmietana - guitar
- :pl:Jan Smoczyński|Jan Smoczyński - piano
- :pl:Michał Tokaj|Michał Tokaj - piano
- Michał Urbaniak - violin
- :pl:Marcin Wasilewski|Marcin Wasilewski - piano
- Aga Zaryan - vocal
- :pl:Łukasz Żyta|Łukasz Żyta - drums
Tomasz was awarded posthumously, in 2012, with the Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis for his achievements for the Polish culture and in 2013 with Fryderyk, the Polish equivalent of the Grammy Award, for the works of his lifetime.
Heritage
Mister nobody
Tomasz Szukalski performed on far more than 100 albums but just a bunch appears under his own name. Tomasz was one of the most influential Polish musicians, he was the spirit and teacher of a whole generation of musicians. Tomasz was invited as guest by many artists, bands, radio stations, schools, workshops, venues and festivals to teach and to perform his warm, beautiful and both - calm and energizing solos.Tomasz Stańko about Tomasz Szukalski:
Selected discography
| Recorded | Issued | Title | Performer | Kind | Label |
| 1972 | 1974 | Koncert podwójny na 5 solistów i orkiestrę | Tomasz Szukalski, :en:Zbigniew Seifert|Zbigniew Seifert, :pl:Janusz Muniak|Janusz Muniak, :pl:Włodzimierz Nahorny|Włodzimierz Nahorny, :en:Zbigniew Namysłowski|Zbigniew Namysłowski, :en:Czesław Niemen|Czesław Niemen, :pl:Bronisław Suchanek|Bronisław Suchanek, :pl:Janusz Stefański|Janusz Stefański, :en:Stu Martin |Stu Martin, :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko, :pl:Jan Jarczyk|Jan Jarczyk, :en:Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski|Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski and others | live in studio | :pl:Poljazz|Poljazz Z-SXL 0553 |
| 1972 | Sound of Marianna Wróblewska | :pl:Marianna Wróblewska|Marianna Wróblewska | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 0847 | ||
| 1972 | :pl:Naga |Naga 1 | :en:Niebiesko-Czarni|Niebiesko-Czarni | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 0881 | ||
| 1972 | :pl:Naga | :en:Zbigniew Namysłowski|Zbigniew Namysłowski | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 0952 | ||
| 1973 | Rien ne va plus | :pl:Novi Singers|Novi Singers | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 1009 | ||
| 1973 | Night Jam Session in Warsaw 1973 | :pl:All Stars After Hours|All Stars After Hours | live | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 1033 | |
| 1973 | Interjazz 3 | Tomasz Szukalski, :en:John McLaughlin |John McLaughlin and others | live, compilation | :en:Supraphon|Supraphon 1 15 1739 | |
| 1974 | Easy! | :en:Wojciech Karolak|Wojciech Karolak | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 1069 | ||
| 1974 | Chałturnik | :pl:S.P.P.T. Chałturnik|S.P.P.T. Chałturnik | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 1079 | ||
| 1974 | :pl:TWET|TWET | :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko, :en:Edward Vesala|Edward Vesala, Peter Warren, Tomasz Szukalski | live in studio | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 1138 | |
| 1974 | Sprzedawcy glonów | :en:Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski|Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski | live in studio | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SXL 1141 | |
| 1975 | Kujaviak Goes Funky | :en:Zbigniew Namysłowski|Zbigniew Namysłowski Quintet | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 1230 | ||
| 1975 | Three Thousands Points | :pl:Krzysztof Sadowski|Krzysztof Sadowski | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 1277 | ||
| 1975 | 2004 | Sikorki | :en:SBB |SBB | live in studio | Metal Mind Productions |
| 1975 | :en:Jazz Jamboree|Jazz Jamboree 75 Vol. 2 | :en:Karin Krog|Karin Krog & :en:Zbigniew Namysłowski|Zbigniew Namysłowski Quintet | live | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 1340 | |
| 1975 | 1976 1993 2008 | Balladyna | :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko, Tomasz Szukalski, :en:Dave Holland|Dave Holland, :en:Edward Vesala|Edward Vesala | live in studio | :en:ECM Records|ECM Records 1071, 1777597 |
| 1976 | Ach! Jak Przyjemnie | Sami Swoi | live in studio | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 1353 | |
| 1976 | :pl:Drums Dream|Drums Dream | :pl:Czesław Bartkowski|Czesław Bartkowski | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 1419 | ||
| 1976 | 2004 | Anthology, Vol. 05 | :en:SBB |SBB | live in studio | Metal Mind Productions |
| 1976 | Rodina | :en:Edward Vesala|Edward Vesala, Tomasz Szukalski, :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko, :en:Juhani Aaltonen|Juhani Aaltonen, :en:Pekka Poyry|Pekka Poyry and others | Love Records LRLP 189 | ||
| 1976 | Satu | :en:Edward Vesala|Edward Vesala, Tomasz Szukalski, :en:Palle Mikkelborg|Palle Mikkelborg, :en:Terje Rypdal|Terje Rypdal, :en:Palle Danielsson|Palle Danielsson, :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko, :en:Juhani Aaltonen|Juhani Aaltonen and others | ECM 1088 | ||
| 1976 | 1978 | :pl:Live at Remont|Live at Remont | :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko - :en:Edward Vesala|Edward Vesala Quartet | live | Helicon HR 1002 |
| 1977 | Love Chant | :de:Jan Wallgren|Jan Wallgren - :sv:Bengt Ernryd|Bengt Ernryd Quartet | Dragon | ||
| 1978 | 1979 | :pl:Almost Green|Almost Green | :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko, Tomasz Szukalski, :en:Palle Danielsson|Palle Danielsson, :en:Edward Vesala|Edward Vesala | live in studio | Leo 008 |
| 1978 | Jasmine Lady | :en:Zbigniew Namysłowski|Zbigniew Namysłowski | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza | ||
| 1978 | 1979 2009 | The Quartet | :pl:The Quartet|The Quartet | live in studio | :pl:Poljazz|Poljazz Z-SX 0688 Anex AN 302 |
| 1979 | Loaded | :pl:The Quartet|The Quartet | live in studio | ||
| 1979 | Swing Party | :pl:Krzysztof Sadowski|Krzysztof Sadowski | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 1796 | ||
| 1979 | Neitsytmatka | :en:Edward Vesala|Edward Vesala, Tomasz Szukalski, :pl:Sławomir Kulpowicz|Sławomir Kulpowicz, :pl:Paweł Jarzębski|Paweł Jarzębski, :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko | Polarvox LJLP 1014 | ||
| 1980 | Józefina | :en:Józef Skrzek|Józef Skrzek | :pl:Wifon LP 037 | ||
| 1981 | :en:The War of the Worlds: Next Century|Wojna Światów - następne stulecie | :en:Józef Skrzek|Józef Skrzek, Tomasz Szukalski, Robert Gola, Janusz Ziomber, :pl:Jan Skrzek|Jan Skrzek | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 2342 | ||
| 1981 | Ambitus Extended | :en:Józef Skrzek|Józef Skrzek & Tomasz Szukalski | Helicon HR 1006 | ||
| 1981 | :en:The War of the Worlds: Next Century|Wojna Światów - Live | :en:Józef Skrzek|Józef Skrzek Formation | live in :en:Czechoslovakia|Czechoslovakia | Wydawnictwo 21 21.014 | |
| 1981 | Kolędy | :en:Józef Skrzek|Józef Skrzek & Tomasz Szukalski | old Polish :en:christmas carol|X-mas carols single 45 RPM | Helicon HR 001 | |
| 1982 | Matko, która nas znasz... | :en:Stanisław Sojka|Stanisław Sojka feat. Tomasz Szukalski | live in studio | Helicon HR 1009 | |
| 1983 | Kolędy | :en:Józef Skrzek|Józef Skrzek & Tomasz Szukalski | old Polish :en:christmas carol|X-mas carols single 45 RPM | Helicon HR 002 | |
| 1984 | :pl:Time Killers|Time Killers | :en:Wojciech Karolak|Wojciech Karolak - Tomasz Szukalski - :pl:Czesław Bartkowski|Czesław Bartkowski | Helicon HR 1012 | ||
| 1985 | Tina Kamila | Tomasz Szukalski | for daughter | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 2250 | |
| 1986 | Tina Blues | Tomasz Szukalski Quartet | live | :pl:Poljazz|Poljazz PSJ 172, Wipe 7084 | |
| 1986 | Interjazz 5 | Milan Svoboda & The Polish - Czech Big Band | live in studio | :en:Supraphon|Supraphon | |
| 1986 | Music from Poland at MIDEM '86 | various artists | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 2292 | ||
| 1987 | Polish Jazz Vol. 1 | Wipe 7081 | |||
| 1987 | 1987 | :pl:Sen szaleńca|Sen szaleńca | :en:Tadeusz Nalepa|Tadeusz Nalepa | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza 2437 | |
| 1983-1988 | 1988 | :pl:Radioaktywny|Radioaktywny | :en:Stanisław Sojka|Stanisław Sojka | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 2661 | |
| 1988 | :pl:Sunrise Sunset|Sunrise Sunset | :en:Grażyna Auguścik|Grażyna Auguścik | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 2615 | ||
| 1989 | Plays Ethio - Jazz | :en:Mulatu Astatke|Mulatu Astatke | :pl:Poljazz|Poljazz PSJ 252 | ||
| 1989 | Blues Duo SZ - SZ / Sz-Sz Blues | Tomasz Szukalski - :pl:Janusz Szprot|Janusz Szprot | live in studio | Wipe 7079 | |
| 1989 | Borżomski Wąwóz / Body And Soul | Jazz Chorał & Tomasz Szukalski Quartet | with a band from Georgia | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza | |
| 1991 | :pl:Absolutnie|Absolutnie | :en:Tadeusz Nalepa|Tadeusz Nalepa | :pl:Polskie Nagrania "Muza"|PN Muza SX 3011 | ||
| 1991 | Body and Soul | Tomasz Szukalski Quartet | live | Polonia Records CD 003 | |
| 1993 | 1994 | :pl:A Farewell to Maria|A Farewell to Maria | :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko | :pl:GOWI Records|GOWI Records CDG 12 | |
| 1994 | 1994 | :pl:Balladyna – Theatre Play Compositions|Balladyna - Theatre Play Compositions | :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko | :pl:GOWI Records|GOWI Records CDG 16 | |
| 1996 | Selected Recordings | :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko | compilation | :en:ECM Records|ECM Records 8017 | |
| 1997 | Gadające Drzewo | :pl:Stół Pański |Stół Pański feat. Tomasz Szukalski, :pl:Sławomir Kulpowicz|Sławomir Kulpowicz & :en:Andrzej Przybielski|Andrzej Przybielski | ZBIG Records 001 | ||
| 1999 | Lady Walking | :pl:Artur Dutkiewicz|Artur Dutkiewicz | :en:Universal Music 546070-2 | ||
| 1999 | Escape | :pl:Piotr Wojtasik|Piotr Wojtasik | |||
| 1999 | 2004 | Anthology, Vol. 14 | :en:SBB |SBB | live | Metal Mind Productions |
| 2000 | 2001 | Reinkarnasja | :en:Grzegorz Karnas|Grzegorz Karnas | Not Two | |
| 2000 | Phone Consultations | Tomasz Szukalski, :en:Wojciech Karolak|Wojciech Karolak, :pl:Jarosław Śmietana|Jarosław Śmietana Quartet | |||
| 2000 | :pl:Barefoot|Barefoot | :en:Anna Maria Jopek|Anna Maria Jopek | EmArcy 016 299-2 | ||
| 2000 | O co tyle milczenia | :en:Anna Maria Jopek|Anna Maria Jopek | :en:Universal Music Group|Universal Music Polska | ||
| 2001 | Grechuta | :pl:Wojciech Majewski|Wojciech Majewski Quintet | :en:Sony Music Entertainment Poland|Sony Music Polska | ||
| 2002 | My Lullaby | Agnieszka Skrzypek vel :en:Aga Zaryan|Aga Zaryan | Not Two/ Cosmopolis MW 737-2 | ||
| 2003 | Zamyślenie | :pl:Wojciech Majewski|Wojciech Majewski Quintet | :en:Sony Music Entertainment Poland|Sony Music Polska | ||
| 2003 | Live in Warsaw | :en:Karin Krog|Karin Krog & Tomasz Szukalski Quartet | live 50 copies | Mariusz Zych & :en:List of diplomatic missions of Norway|Embassy of Norway in Poland | |
| 2004 | Sny | :en:Grzegorz Karnas|Grzegorz Karnas | DeBies 002 | ||
| 2005 | O Panie przebacz mej myśli, że nie dość jeszcze Miłuję | :en:Józef Skrzek|Józef Skrzek | compilation | ||
| 2005 | 2006 | :pl:Wolność w sierpniu|Wolność w sierpniu | :en:Tomasz Stańko|Tomasz Stańko, Tomasz Szukalski, :en:Marcin Wasilewski|Marcin Wasilewski, :en:Apostolis Anthimos|Apostolis Anthimos, :pl:Sławomir Kurkiewicz|Sławomir Kurkiewicz, :en:Michał Miśkiewicz|Michał Miśkiewicz, :pl:Janusz Skowron |Janusz Skowron | contribution for the :en:Warsaw Uprising Museum|Warsaw Uprising Museum | FIRe |
| 2005 | Session Natural Irish & Jazz | :pl:Carrantuohill |Carrantuohill | Celt / Rockers Publishing CC08 | ||
| 2005 | The Best of Polish Jazz 2005 | ||||
| 1981-2007 | 2010 | The Day of The Jackal | Tomasz Szukalski, :en:Apostolis Anthimos|Apostolis Anthimos, :en:Arild Andersen|Arild Andersen, :pl:Andrzej Cudzich|Andrzej Cudzich, :pl:Artur Dutkiewicz|Artur Dutkiewicz, :pl:Paweł Jarzębski|Paweł Jarzębski, :en:Kazimierz Jonkisz|Kazimierz Jonkisz, :pl:Sławomir Kulpowicz|Sławomir Kulpowicz, :en:Józef Skrzek|Józef Skrzek, :pl:Janusz Stefański|Janusz Stefański, Zbigniew Wiatr | live compilation 100 copies | Mariusz Zych limited private edition |
| 2011 | The Masters of Polish Jazz | :pl:Piotr Wojtasik|Piotr Wojtasik |