Leszek Możdżer (Polish pronunciation: born Lesław Henryk Możdżer, 23 March 1971) is a Polish jazz pianist, music producer and film score composer.
Life and career Możdżer was born on 23 March 1971 in Gdańsk. He began to play the piano at his parents' suggestion when he was five. In 1996, he received his diploma from the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk. He studied in the piano class under Andrzej Artykiewicz. He began his artistic career in clarinettist Emil Kowalewski's band and subsequently with the Miłość music band. The artist has collaborated with film score composers Jan A.P. Kaczmarek and Zbigniew Preisner. He formed a jazz trio together with double-bassist Lars Danielsson and drummer Zohar Fresco. Other prominent artists he has collaborated with include Marcus Miller, David Gilmour, Lester Bowie, Archie Shepp, Arthur Blythe, Tomasz Stańko, Pat Metheny, Janusz Muniak, Phil Manzanera, Zbigniew Namysłowski, Michał Urbaniak, L.U.C, Anna Maria Jopek, Behemoth, Myslovitz, Iva Bittová, Cæcilie Norby, and David Friesen.
In 1994, he claimed 1st place at the International Jazz Improvisation Contest in Katowice. In 1998, he received the Jazzman of the Year Fryderyk Award. In 1999, he became the laureate of the Gdansk Mayor Award for his outstanding artistic achievements. In 2001, he was awarded the Ad Astra Award bestowed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage to "an outstanding young musician". In 2004, he received the Paszport Polityki Award in the entertainment category. In 2011, he won another Fryderyk Award for best original soundtrack for his album Kaczmarek by Możdżer, a collection of contemporary film music. In 2013, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.
In 2010, he performed a special music show at the Węglowy Targ in Gdańsk as part of the Solidarity of Arts 2010 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the foundation of the Solidarity movement as well as the 200th anniversary of Frédéric Chopin's birth.
In 2012, he served as a member of jury at the Montreux Jazz Piano Competition.
In 2017, his opera Immanuel Kant based on the works of Thomas Bernhard premiered at the Wrocław Opera.
Discography
Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions CertificationsPOL Chopin - impresje Released: 1994 Label: Polonia Records Formats: CD —Talk to Jesus Released: 1996 Label: GOWI Records Formats: CD —Chopin Demain-Impressions Released: 30 December 1999 Label: Opus 111 Formats: CD —Solo in Ukraine Released: 30 December 2003 Label: GOWI Records Formats: CD —Teatrowi Logos na XV-lecie Released: 2003 Label: Teatr Logos Formats: CD —Piano Released: 16 June 2004 Label: ARMS Records Formats: CD 7 POL: PlatinumPiano Live Released: 19 December 2004 Label: ARMS Records Formats: CD 36Missa Gratiatoria Released: 16 March 2009 Label: Alternator Formats: CD —Bernstein & Gershwin Released: 19 March 2010 Label: Polskie Radio Formats: CD 33Impressions on Chopin Released: 30 July 2010 Label: Universal Music Poland Formats: CD, digital download 8Kaczmarek by Możdżer Released: 29 March 2010 Label: Universal Music Poland Formats: CD 16 POL: PlatinumKomeda Released: 27 June 2011 Label: ACT Formats: CD, digital download 1 POL: 2× Platinum "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Collaborative albums Title Album details Peak chart positions CertificationsPOLAnniversary Concert For Hestiawith Adam Pierończyk Released: 1996 Label: Hestia Formats: CD —Facing the Windwith David Friesen Released: 1996 Label: Power Bros Formats: CD —Live in Sofiawith Adam Pierończyk Released: 1998 Label: Not Two Formats: CD —10 Łatwych utworów na fortepianwith Zbigniew Preisner Released: 25 September 1999 Label: Pomaton EMI Formats: CD, digital download — POL: GoldBirthday Live with Olo Walicki,Cezary Konrad and Andrzej Olejniczak Released: 2001 Label: Blue Note Poznań Jazz Club Formats: CD —Makowicz vs. Możdżer at the Carnegie Hallwith Adam Makowicz Released: 21 November 2004 Label: Pomaton EMI Formats: CD 10 POL: PlatinumMetalla Pretiosa with Olo Walicki andMaurice de Martin & The Gdansk Philharmonic Brass Released: 28 November 2004 Label: Olo Walicki Production Formats: CD —Seven Pieces for Improvising Piano and Stringswith Aukso Orchestra Released: 2004 Label: Lemon Music Formats: CD —Tulipany Daniel Bloomfeaturing Leszek Możdżer Trio Released: 7 March 2005 Label: Warner Music Poland Formats: CD, digital download 18Live in Warsawwith Adam Klocek Released: 27 June 2005 Label: Universal Music Poland Formats: CD, digital download 49The Timewith Lars Danielsson and Zohar Fresco Released: 26 October 2005 Label: Outside Music Formats: CD 2 POL: DiamondWrocław 2004with Adam Makowicz Released: 9 December 2005 Label: EMI Music Poland Formats: CD —Between us and the lightwith Lars Danielsson and Zohar Fresco Released: 20 November 2006 Label: Outside Music Formats: CD 7 POL: 2× PlatinumPasodoblewith Lars Danielsson Released: 27 April 2007 Label: ACT Formats: CD, digital download 17 POL: PlatinumMelisawith Przemek Dyakowski and Sławek Jaskułke Released: 21 May 2007 Label: Fonografika Formats: CD —Livewith Lars Danielsson and Zohar Fresco Released: 28 November 2007 Label: Outside Music Formats: CD 35Tarantellawith Lars Danielsson Released: 23 February 2009 Label: ACT Formats: CD 48The Last Set Live At The A-Tranewith Walter Norris Released: 16 October 2012 Label: ACT Formats: CDPolskawith Lars Danielsson and Zohar Fresco Released: 25 October 2013 Label: Outside Music Formats: CD, digital download 2 POL: 2× PlatinumEarth Particleswith Holland Baroque Released: 11 May 2018 Label: Holland Baroque Formats: CD, vinyl --- NL: Gold "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Filmography (score composer) Source. Milion dolarów (2010) W sypialni (2012) Wszystkie kobiety Mateusza (2012) Icarus: The Legend of Mietek Kosz (2019) – Polish Academy Award for Best Film Score
See also Music of Poland List of Poles Tomasz Stańko Krzysztof Komeda
References
External links