Grazyna Auguscik

Biography

Grażyna Auguścik is a Polish-born jazz vocalist, composer, arranger, and producer born on August 17, 1955, in Słupsk, Poland. She began her professional music career in Europe before moving to Chicago in 1979 to join Breno Sauer's Brazilian Sounds, which later became Made in Brazil, where she performed until 1991. She completed her studies at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1992, and since 1994 has made Chicago her home base. Her musical journey was shaped by early exposure to vocal jazz legends including Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, and Chet Baker, which inspired her to pursue music in the United States.

Auguścik has established herself as one of the most intriguing contemporary vocalists on the world jazz scene, known for her singular voice that speaks a universal language and her elusive style that challenges traditional definitions of jazz. Her unorthodox approach to rewriting classic works pays tribute to their original authors while venturing into uncharted musical territory. She has recorded, produced, and distributed 21 albums, 13 of which were released under her own record label, GMA Records, and has appeared as a guest on numerous additional projects. Her album "Pastels" was chosen one of the best of 1998 by National Public Radio listeners, and her 2002 release "River" placed her among the hottest young jazz talents in the country.

Throughout her career, Auguścik has received numerous accolades recognizing her contributions to jazz. She was named Best Jazz Vocalist by the prestigious European Jazz Forum Magazine in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2016. In 2002, the Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival awarded her the Top Vocalist title. In 2011, she received the Outstanding Pole Abroad award and an award from Poland's Ministry of Culture as the best performer and jazz musician. Her work has been described by critics as innovative, with the LA Times noting that "Grazyna Auguscik is doing important work in advancing the potential for imaginative jazz singing."

Fun Facts

• Auguścik founded her own band, Jazzmineiro, in 1991, whose eponymous 1996 CD received excellent reviews, demonstrating her commitment to developing original musical projects.
• She has recorded jazz-reworked versions of Polish Christmas carols with fellow Polish jazz vocalist Urszula Dudziak, including the exquisite '1792 composition 'Bog sie rodzi (God Is Born),' blending her cultural heritage with contemporary jazz innovation.
• Her album 'Homage - Three for Brazil,' recorded for Pony Canyon Records in Japan, was ranked on the Top 20 Jazz Albums list in Asia, demonstrating her international recognition and appeal across different continents.
• Auguścik has performed at legendary Chicago venues including the Green Mill and Chicago Cultural Center, as well as at major festivals including the 1998 and 2002 Chicago Jazz Festivals and Millennium Park, establishing Chicago as her artistic home since 1994.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Nat King Cole - Vocal jazz influence and inspiration during late teens through recordings (Vocal jazz recordings) [Late 1970s]
• Ella Fitzgerald - Vocal jazz influence and inspiration during late teens through recordings (Vocal jazz recordings) [Late 1970s]
• Mel Tormé - Vocal jazz influence and inspiration during late teens through recordings (Vocal jazz recordings) [Late 1970s]
• Chet Baker - Vocal jazz influence and inspiration during late teens through recordings (Vocal jazz recordings) [Late 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Breno Sauer - Band leader; Auguścik joined his group Brazilian Sounds (Breno Sauer's Brazilian Sounds / Made in Brazil) [1979-1991]
• Michael Brecker - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Randy Brecker - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Jim Hall - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• John Medeski - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Paul Wertico - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Kurt Rosenwinkel - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Robert Irving III - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Michal Urbaniak - Jazz notable collaborator (Don't Let Me Go (featuring Michal Urbaniak)) [2001]
• Urszula Dudziak - Fellow Polish jazz singer; collaborated on jazz-reworked Polish Christmas carols (Polish Christmas carols including 'Bog sie rodzi (God Is Born)') [2000s]
• Terry Callier - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Patricia Barber - Collaborator and assistant producer on Blue Note recording projects (Patricia Barber's two Blue Note recording projects) [2000s]
• John McLean - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Ron Perrillo - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Toots Thielemans - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Bobby Enriquez - Jazz notable collaborator (Various projects) [1990s-2000s]
• Paulinho Garcia - Brazilian singer and guitarist; collaborated on Beatles songs recordings (Beatles versions with Brazilian artist) [2000s]
• Jarek Bester - Accordion player; featured on album Past Forward (Past Forward) [2003]
• Andrzej Jagodzinski Trio - Collaborated on Chopin Goes Jazz concert series (Chopin Goes Jazz concert series) [2007]

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)