Witold Wnuk

Chairman of the jury, initiator of Jarek Śmietana International Jazz Guitar Competition, international music impresario.

Cellist, graduate of the Academy of Music in Krakow (1982). In the 70s and the 80s, he co-operated as a cellist and pianist with the Helena Modrzejewska National Stary (Old) Theatre in Krakow, as well as with Ewa Demarczyk and Janusz Muniak, among other artists. From 1988 to 1995, he led a cello class at the Higher Institute of Musical Arts in Kuwait. Co-founder (together with Cezary Owerkowicz) and director of The Kuwait Chamber Philharmonia (operating since 1992) and Gulf International Chopin Competition in the Persian Gulf. Founder and director of the annual Gulf Jazz Festival (since 1997) held in Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar. Concert organiser for such artists as: Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, Ivo Pogorelich, Art Farmer, Al Jarreau, Brandford Marsalis, Stanley Clark, Jean Luc Poty, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, as well as leading Polish musicians, including: Krzysztof Penderecki, Konstanty A. Kulka, Janusz Olejniczak, Adam Makowicz, Michał Urbaniak, Urszula Dudziak and Tomasz Stańko. Initiator of the largest jazz festival in Poland - Summer Jazz Festiwal at Piwnica pod Baranami (organised since 1996). Chairman of My Polish Heart Foundation, providing each year awards and grants, and promoting young jazz musicians. Director of Cracovia Music Agency - company organising festivals, and classical and jazz concerts in Poland and worldwide, as well as publishing recordings (unique 3-volume series “The Best of Cracow Jazz”).