Smietana Jarek

One of the premiere jazz musicians in Poland. For many years, jazz guitarist No.1 in jazz critics' and listeners' pools (magazines: Jazz Forum, Jazz, Gitara i Bass, Muzyk). Winner of "Fryderyk '98" award for "Songs And Other Ballads". Honoured with President of Cracow Prize for eminent achievements on culture. One of the top guitar players in Europe.

Since 1975 till 1981, he was the leader of the legendary Polish jazz group "Extra Ball". Since 1982 till today he was the leader of the following groups: "Sounds", Big Band "Symphonic Sound Orchestra", "Polish Jazz Stars Band" (with most of the top jazz musicans from Poland). He was also a co-leader of very famous "Namysłowski-Śmietana Quartet". Jarek Śmietana has been playing all around the world (major festivals, concert tours, workshops) including USA and India.

During his musical career he has been playing and recording together with such great artists: Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Henderson, Joe Zawinul, Gary Bartz, Carter Jefferson, Vince Mednoza, John Abercrombie, Hamiet Bluiett, Idris Muhammad, Ronnie Burrage, Harvie Swartz, Mike Stern, Jack Wilkins, Zbigniew Seifert, Cameron Brown, Andy McKee, Greg Brandy, David Gilmore, Dave Friedman.

Śmietana is a very talented composer and teacher, too. He wrote about 200 jazz songs and has been leading many workshops and clinics. His dicography includes 23 recordsa as a leader and plenty of records as a sideman with other artists. In last years Śmietana together with world known jazz giants created a lot of very interesting "special jazz projects".

Jarek's Virtuoso models are an extremely versatile electric semi-hollow guitars, letting you achieve several rich, genuine tones - from jazz to hard rock - with one instrument only. Designed to play live, the model has been equipped with 2 passive HB pickups (with coil splitting option) and our own may-design piezo system (with custom built-in piezo equalizer).

This is why, as Jarek says himself, Virtuoso lets him take only one guitar for all his tours all over the world, without a need to change the instruments during the shows.

Check more info about Mayones Virtuoso models: Virtuoso series

Find out more about Jarek Smietana at his official website: www.jareksmietana.pl