During this lecture from the “Music and...” series, Dr Zofia Komuszyna will discuss how Polish jazz musicians have been inspired by folk music. Contrary to popular belief that these inspirations are rare, they have a long and rich history. They can be found in the work of many artists.

During the meeting, you will discover references to stylised folklore in the projects of the Mazowsze Song and Dance Company and the Śląsk Company, as well as in Polish national dances. We will learn about Poland’s regional varieties of folk as well as compositions by jazz artists inspired by Polish folk music.

Dr Komuszyna will explain the sources of all these connections and how to explore themes that are next creatively developed by composers. She will also discuss collaborations between jazz musicians and folk artists, themes and inspirations, crossovers and musical “returns”. All of this will be illustrated with examples.

Dr Zofia Komuszyna is the author of a doctoral dissertation on native folk music in the work of Polish jazz musicians. She graduated in musicology at the University of Wrocław and in music theory at the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław. For many years, she has taught harmony, ear training, and the principles of music at the Fryderyk Chopin Secondary School of Music in Opole and is also a lecturer at the University of Wrocław. Her interests lie in music education and the history of Polish jazz and its connections with the native folklore. She frequently visits primary music schools in the Lower Silesian and Opole regions, conducting workshops on ear training.