Michał Żak

Pupil of the master Breton flutist Jean-Michel Veillon. For some years now, he has been exploring the music of rural Poland. Co-founder of Dom Tańca (House of Dance) in Poznań, and musician in the bands that played there over the years. He collaborates with traditional music groups, exponents of world music, early music, jazz and fusion. Composes and creates music for silent films and theatre, and is active in educational circles.

He has received several musical awards, for instance the Nowa Tradycja competition, organised by Polish Radio. Also recipient in the recording field and in stage work (Ist prize for Duo Żak/Szyszkowski – Mikołajki Folkowe, Lublin, 2006; Ist prize TV Polonia for the quartet Niedźwiecki/Żak/Kierzkowski/Pulcyn – Nowa Tradycja, 2007; Recording of the year for the CDs Azaran – Lautari 2006, Mazurki i Serce – Janusz Prusinowski Trio, in 2008 and 2010 respectively). He travels to countries near and far in search of music and impressions. Has given several hundred concerts at festivals and in concert halls the world over (Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space – New York, Chicago Symphony Center, Barcelona Teatre Musical, Jazz Bakery – Los Angeles, National Palace of Culture – Sofia, Nybrokajen Concert Hall – Stockholm, L'Entrepot – Paris, Mugam Centre – Baku, National Conservatory – Tbilisi). A member of the Lautari band, full-time at present with Janusz Prusinowski Trio. Has colloborated with Janusz Olejniczak, Marcin Pospieszalski, Zbigniew Łowżył, Michał Czachowski, Alim Qasimov, Yair Dalal, Amine M'raihi, and also with Polish Radio and National Polish Theatre.