Wojtasik Piotr, *10 June 1964 Wrocław, Polish trumpeter, jazz composer, band leader, and teacher. In 1987, he graduated from the Faculty of Jazz and Popular Music in Katowice. During his studies, he played in the Big Band Katowice, Big Band Rotunda, and then in the band After Action Satisfaction. In 1988, together with the group New Presentation, he performed at the Jazz Jamboree festival. He collaborated with many Polish bands and musicians, including Young Power (1986–90), Quintessence (1993–95), K. Popek, J. “Ptaszyn” Wróblewski, J. Śmietana, L. Kułakowski, L. Możdżer, H. Miśkiewicz, P. Baron, and T. Szukalski; he also led his own groups. He gained recognition for his own albums: Lonely Town (1995), Quest (1997), Escape (1997), Hope (2003, Fryderyk Award), We Want to Give Thanks (2006, recorded in New York with American musicians: R. Workman, B. Hart, G. Cables and B. Harper) and Circle (2007, Fryderyk Award 2008). Previously, he also played with G. Bartz, V. Herring, D. Liebman, R. Burrage and W. Marsalis. He has won the Jazz Forum magazine poll many times (in the trumpet category). Next to T. Stańko, he is the most valued Polish trumpeter. His style was shaped by American trumpeters of the 60s (including B. Little), 70s (W. Shaw, F. Hubbard) and 80s (W. Marsalis). Wojtasik’s music is a synthesis of modern post-bop with elements of free, the legacy of Coltrane and Mingus. He is also a lecturer (at the level of professor, Ph.D.) at the Institute of Jazz and Popular Music of the Academy of Music in Katowice.
