Andrzej Chochół
web site: www.gitaraandrzeja.com
Born from a musical family in Poland, he showed deep interest in music from his early years. As a teenager, he seriously undertook learning guitar. His first important performances took place in 1982-1983.
His biggest love are Fender Telecaster guitar, custom built for him, and Gibson ES-175D, he also plays other guitars, as well as tenor sax, bass guitar, drums, and keyboard.
Co-creator of «Stan d? Art» group with Darek Galon (1983) to which they invited among others Wlodzimierz Kiniorski, Marian Zych, Leszek Dziarek — and earlier Marek Majewski. That group took first prize at Komeda Jazz Competition in Warsaw, 1985, and won grand prix at international modern jazz competition Jazz On The Odra, in Wroclaw 1996. They also toured extensively, and recorded their music for Polish Radio broadcasting company, and Muza label.
Stan d’Art group was highly regarded by musicians, professionals and media. Let’s just say as an example, that they were picked as the best group and individual musicians by Jazz Top pool by the acclaimed Jazz Forum magazine in several years in the row (1985-87). Andrzej was also listed in «top 10» in «guitarist of the year» category.
In 1987, with Stan d’Art recorded his first LP, released by Polskie Nagrania. At the same time andrzej performed and recorded for Polish radio with Derek Galon in duo, Derek’s Space Shuttle group, and other musicians.
Until around 1990 he played mostly jazz music (for example with Stan d’Art — harmolodic, free jazz with Andrzej Przybielski, fusion with Violin Meerting). His widened horisons showed well in early nineties, when he decided to go ahead more with his solo career, presenting many of his own compositions.
In the same period, Andrzej begun his teaching activity, music and jazz many today known musicians. He also helps young, starting musicians with their careers. Andrzej’s knowledge and musical talents supported musicians from different musical orientations — from jazz, blues, pop, alternative, rock — to other styles.
He was also invited by Randy Brecker (who always been Andrzej’s musical favourite) to perform together on jazz stage. A memorable musical experience for Andrzej, and quite a big suprise for Mr Brecker who was highly impressed with Andrzej’s skills, at a «stage duel» on one of concerts organized by Andrzej.
At the breaking of 90’ Andrzej started also his other activity (which goes on till today). He is a vigorous and dynamic organizer of Jazz fests in his city. Thanks to his enthusiasm, large audiences had a chance to listen live to such musicians as BOB BERG, DAVID KIKOSKI, DERIC JAMES, RICK HOLLENDER, URSZULA DUDZIAK, gruop HI-LO i PATRYCJA BEYSENS from Sweden, and JAN PTASZYN WRÓBLEWSKI, KRYSTYNA PRONKO, JAROSLAW SMIETANA, WOJCIECH KAROLAK, GRAZYNA LOBASZEWSKA, JORGOS SKOLIAS, groups GLOBTROTTERS, WALK AWAY , to name just a few.
He was also invited by Randy Brecker (who always been Andrzej’s musical favourite) to perform together on jazz stage. A memorable musical experience for Andrzej, and quite a big suprise for Mr Brecker who was highly impressed with Andrzej’s skills, at a «stage duel» on one of concerts organized by Andrzej.
As a tireless organizer and musical expert in Cultural Center of Ostrowiec, Andrzej Chochól received a special prize from Kielce City Hall, «for efforts in promoting cultural life in the region» in 1991, and another, similar prize from City’s President, in 1999. He have been often invited as a juror, to judge new musical talents at various festivals and competitions.
Andrzej Chochól participated in many important musical festivals in Poland and abroad (several times at Jazz Jamboree, Jazz Nad Odra, Jazz Jantar, Pomorska Jesien Jazzowa, Jazz Juniors, and many others).
He also recorded several albums
, as a guest as well as a group leader. To mention just a few of these:
Piosenki Dla Niegrzecznych Dzieci (Songs For Stubborn Kids)
Stan d'Art — Undergrajdol
Orkiestra Dni Naszych — Loveland,
Andrzej Chochól — Cooperation
Wygraj Sukces — edycja V,
Wygraj Sukces — edycja VI,
Zdu-Bop — Tance Zdubobskie ( Michal Zduniak, H. Gembalski)
Orkiestra Swietokrzyska — Gospodarstwo Artystyczne OS (A. Przybielski, R. Nowakowski)
Canto — «Jestesmy Mglami» (z Ryszardem Góra, Karolina Jankowska, Ewelina Cieslik)
Piosenki Dla niegrzecznych Dzieci (Songs for stubborn kids), with Darek Galon and other friends — known musicians
Duo with Michal Zduniak — drums — Opowiesci znad Kamiennej
Here We Go — with Funk collective and a guest — Bill Evans (sax).
He also recorded in Canada with Darek Galon and Tim Gerwing from Victoria, and toured outside of Poland in Europe.
Also worth mentioning is his recording session in Victoria, Canada, in duo with his long-years friend and musical partner, Derek Galon. These pieces are awaiting release.
Also in 2007, Andrzej played numerous concerts, solo, duo and with various groups — in Poland and United Kingdom, and recorded more jazzy pieces with Derek Galon from Canada.
2008 — After pop-rock-jazz popular production for the last record, Andrzej recorded material for a new, more difficult record addressed to jazz connoisseurs. It is duo with Michal Zduniak, fine Polish drummer. Andrzej’s playing reminds here a bit of Metheny’s Zero Tolerance — as both musicians explore free forms, with almost telepathic understanding of each other. This record will be released in 2008, and Andrzej also plans more recordings with Canadian musicians — in yet another style... Also in 2008, released new album Here We Go, recorded with musicians from Funk Collective group, and a guest — Bill Evans (sax).