Dive deep into the music universe with the podcast that unveils the journey of one of the most influential bass players in the music industry – Janek Gwizdala. ...
I recently hopped on a flight to Boston to meet up with my good friend and bass-hero John Patitucci. We went all the way down the rabbit hole on his entire discography as an artist, his new album Spirit Fall, and so many details of how his career was shaped by Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter, and how it is still taking on new shapes and forms to this day. Be sure to check out tour dates at his WEBSITE! and the new album with Chris Potter and Brian Blade now on all platforms.Enjoy, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
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1:14:51
This is How I Train My Ears
Whilst sifting through old drives for B-Roll for another video I found this old overhead shot of me working on a Till Brönner transcription from a few years back. Obviously I don’t set up the camera and makes videos like this every time I transcribe something, but I do make a habit of transcribing on a regular basis. As my ear gets stronger, the material I’m transcribing tends to change. It’s quite rare these days to be transcribing linear ideas for instance as I’ve done so much of that over the past three decades. I’m more curious now about harmony and chord voicings, and how those might work for orchestration and arrangement purposes when I’m in writing-mode. As you can hear from this very raw voice note made with my phone, I’m focusing on harmonic development for this new album I’m planning to record in Europe later in the year. I’m working towards recording the trio (possibly Jojo Mayer and Tom Cawley) in the south of Germany, and then hopping over to Sofia to record the New Bulgarian Voices on top of the trio right after. Layering elements of Jazz, European folk music, electronic music, and some of my biggest influences from the classical world like Chopin, Brahms, Messiaen, Mahler, Schubert, Ravel and Rachmaninoff, is something incredibly exciting to me. Knowing I have access to some of the greatest musicians, engineers, and studios out there gives me a lot of hope that no matter what we do in the studio, we will make music we love. And when you add in the possibilities a choir could generate… I start to get a real buzz about the project even when we’re so many months away. This is a clip from my daily practice routine that I’m constantly documenting to make sure ideas aren’t lost. The one recurring melody throughout this improvised clip could end up being the main theme for a choral arrangement for instance. You just never know. That’s why I felt compelled to share these three things today. * The transcription clip represents where I’m coming from and the crazy amount of hours I’ve put into transcription and ear training over the years. * The audio clip gives you an idea of how I’m constantly making short voice notes of compositional ideas. * And the video clip is looking forward to this year’s recording projects as I continue to write as much as possible every day, and get used to a new instrument so I’m in the best place possible when the red light goes on to record. As always, be sure to stream the latest album with Mark Turner, John Ellis, Gretchen Parlato, Jojo Mayer, Elliot Mason, Gregoire Maret, and Tim Miller for free wherever you listen to music. My listening platform of choice happens to be Spotify.If you’re a fan of physical media, you can now pre-order vinyl of this latest releaseMore soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
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1:24
How to Update Your Practice Routine
In today's episode I dig into the Wayne Shorter composition Capricorn, take a look at new chord voicings, and explain my process for creating a new challenge in my practice routine. Since the recent video about the dozens of books that got stolen from my porch we've managed to re-stock, so there are 10-Minute Manuals, Scales and Arpeggios, and almost every other book we have in stock right now!Don’t forget that the John Patitucci interview is dropping this Friday to celebrate the launch of his new album Spirit Fall. More soon, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
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42:35
TWO New Basses Have Arrived!
As 2025 gets well and truly underway I have so many music-related things to be thankful for and excited about.My latest album, Mystery to Me - 20th Anniversary Edition, is now available for pre-order on vinyl. It’s the first album in 20 years of releasing music as an artist that I’m having pressed to vinyl, and I can’t wait to share it with you.Two beautiful new instruments have just arrived!One is my limited edition collaboration with RKM, and the other is the evolution of my Mattisson 5-string that is now hollow-body, headless, and passive!Watch and listen to this week’s episode on YouTube and get samples of the new instruments, details of the new vinyl release, and a ton of tour dates coming up over the next few months.More soon,Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
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41:41
Dozens of Books Stolen From My House
In this week's episode we get into Winter NAMM 2025, new basses being delivered, huge interview guest announcement, and a crap load of bass books get stolen from my house.We’re also launching merch for the first time in many years. Shop the store for super-soft hoodies, T’s, Baseball shirts, caps, and much more!More soon!Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Dive deep into the music universe with the podcast that unveils the journey of one of the most influential bass players in the music industry – Janek Gwizdala. Designed for bass enthusiasts and musicians alike, each episode is a sonic exploration into the world of groove, gear. technique, and artistic evolution.
Janek Gwizdala, renowned for his mastery of the bass, shares his life's narrative – from the early days as a budding musician to his current status as a sought-after sideman and solo artist. Whether you're a seasoned bassist or simply appreciate the magic of live music, join us as we unravel the layers of Janek's experiences, revealing the secrets behind his signature sound.
Expect in-depth conversations with Janek and special guests, offering unique perspectives on music, composition, and the art of creating an unforgettable groove. Explore the challenges and triumphs of a professional bass player, gain insights into the creative process, and discover the stories behind some of Janek's most iconic performances.
Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own musical journey or simply want to bask in the rich tones of the bass, "The Janek Gwizdala Podcast" is your backstage pass to the world of bass and music.
Subscribe now for an intimate look at the life and legacy of Janek Gwizdala's bass-centric career. janekgwizdala.substack.com
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