Bartosz Hadala

Bartosz Hadala’s fascination with music began at a young age in his native Poland when he began listening to his father’s collection of Dixieland records. He was playing the piano at age six. From 1984 through 1992 while receiving formal musical training at the local music school Bartosz actively participated in festivals, competitions and jazz workshops.

At 16, Bartosz became the youngest finalist in the Mieczyslaw Kosz International Jazz Piano Competition (Kalisz, Poland), and also received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA). In 1996 he studied with Anatoliy Kardashov at Odessa State A.V. Nezhdanova Musical Academy (Ukraine), and in 1998 received a full scholarship to Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI), where he completed his jazz studies.While at WMU Bartosz received an “Outstanding Performance” award from “Down Beat” magazine, also in 2004 he presented the “Bartosz Hadala Group” at the IAJE Conference in Toronto (Canada).

Bartosz spent the last six years in New York City where he pursued his career as a jazz pianist; he held a position of an organist at the St. Stanislaus Kostka American-Polish parish in Greenpoint (Brooklyn), he also worked as an accompanist at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. While in New York Bartosz released his first CD entitled “The Things You Have Given Me” (original Christian music), on the Apria Records label, where he simultaneously took credit for music, lyrics, vocals and production of the album.

He appeared as a sideman/musical director with many different artists: Ada Rovatti, Justin Binek, David Hicks, Dorcas Davis, Valerie Ahneman, Basia Moore, Martha Wash, Alexia Tate, Michael Doane, Maleika Cole, Anthony Escobar, Jennifer Smolos, Rupert Wates, Izabela Grajner- Partyka, Julia Partyka, Anna Grądzka-Jakubczak, just to mention a few.

He made his debut at the legendary “Blue Note Jazz Club” in January, 2007, with a jazz singer Andy Suvalsky, with whom he’s also appeared at the Iridium Jazz Club. On April 1st, 2007, Mr. Hadala performed at the St. James Cathedral with his quintet featuring a jazz legend Billy Hart on drums. Also in 2007 Bartosz had an opportunity to record with another jazz legend, drummer, Lenny White. In October 2009, Bartosz made his debut performance at the Carnegie Hall with the jazz singer Basia Moore.

And last but not least, Bartosz has recently joined the Piloo Records and Production label to release his first jazz album entitled “The Runner Up”, featuring jazz greats, trumpeter, Randy Brecker, and drummer Antonio Sanchez among others.