About the Band

Mateusz Smoczyński Jazz Quintet

The Mateusz Smoczyński Jazz Quintet is led by Mateusz Smoczyński, a renowned jazz violinist and graduate of the Academy of Music in Warsaw. He debuted with the Jacek Namysłowski Quintet in 1999 and has since appeared at major jazz festivals and venues across Europe and the US.

The quintet features some of Poland's most distinguished musicians:

• Mateusz Smoczyński - violin
• Konrad Zemler – guitar
• Jan Smoczyński – piano
• Wojciech Pulcyn – double bass
• Michał Miśkiewicz – percussion

The ensemble includes a significant family connection, as Mateusz performs alongside his younger brother, Jan Smoczyński.

Mateusz Smoczyński himself brings impressive credentials. He was named the best jazz violinist of 2017 by Jazz Forum magazine and won the 2nd International Zbigniew Seifert Jazz Violin Competition. From 2012-2016, he was the first violinist of the legendary, Grammy-winning American band Turtle Island Quartet. Since 2017, he has taught jazz violin at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw.

The quintet is known for blending various musical traditions, reflecting inspirations from classical music, jazz, and Polish and American folk. Their discography includes "Inspirations" (2006), "Expressions," and "Berek" (2017), showcasing their distinctive approach to modern jazz violin composition and improvisation. They continue to perform internationally at important jazz venues and festivals worldwide.