Wojtek Justyna

Event Description

Wojtek Justyna is a guitar player recognized for his sound, versatility and creativity. Although inspired by Rock and Blues he began playing classical guitar at the age of 14. He studied classical music for 9 years and during this time was awarded honorable mentions at a local guitar competition in his home town of Lodz, Poland. After joining a school big band called AB Sound Band he started developing an interest in Jazz and in 2000 he began studying at the Jazz Department at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice. During his studies he became a member of The Big Band of the Academy of Music and “Gazeta Wyborcza” in Lodz. At the same time Wojtek began to write his own music and formed his own contemporary jazz band called “3Karo” with which he toured in Poland, performed on national radio and television and was awarded the GRAND PRIX at the II Miles Davis Jazz Improvisation Competition (2003) and received Honorable Mentions at the VII Competition for Aspiring Jazz and Blues Combos (2004).

In 2004 he moved to The Netherlands to broaden his knowledge at the Jazz Department at Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, he received his Bachelor of Music degree in 2008, followed by a Master of Music diploma in 2010. For 3 years he was a member of Dutch Hip-Hop group called HIDO (Winners of BKBeats 2008, Ongekend Talent Top 10 of 2008, and winners of the Peter Tetteroo Bokaal 2009). He was a member of the Charli Green Big Band (performed at the Bimhuis, Chateau de Jazz Festival). In 2010 he started working with Robin Brock (performances at The Hague Jazz Festival, Big Rivers Festival, Parkpop) and co-produced his debut album “Use At Your Discretion” in 2012. Wojtek has perforemd and/or recorded with such world renowned artists as DJ Maestro (Blue Note recording artist), Jim McNeely, Mike Mainieri, Jamal Thomas (Maceo Parker, S.O.S. Band) Jason Lindner, Branford Marsalis andChuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones)

Currently he is living in The Hague in The Netherlands and is an active sideman, composer, producer and educator. He is leading the Wojtek Justyna TreeOh! which was awarded 2nd Prize at the Zoetermeer Jazz Concours (2011) and has released their debut album “Definitely Something” in 2015. That same year Wojtek was nominated by the Polonus Foundation for the Pole of the Year Award in the Young Successful Pole category for his artistic achievements.

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