Tomasz Betka

Polish composer, pianist and music producer Tomasz Betka began learning piano aged seven, and continued his music education until receiving his MA. At the same time, while studying classical music, his interest also gravitated to different genres, including pop and electronic sounds. As a teenager, with a group of like minded friends, he took part in various music festivals and competitions, and began to compose his own music. Before long his tunes were being used in commercials, independent movies and a cabaret.

While still at college he visited the USA for the first time, giving his first shows in piano bars and hotel lobbies. In Chicago he was introduced to music producer Vince Lawrence, known for his collaborations with Michael Jackson, R Kelly and John Legend. Thanks to this connection, Betka has returned quite often to the Windy City, releasing two pop singles, all featuring Chicago vocalists.

Sharing his time between the US and Europe, Betka wrote five songs for Polish classical opera singer Alicja Węgorzewska-Whiskerd. Three of them were arranged for orchestra, mastered by Grammy Award Winner Bob Katz, recorded in 2013 and were released by Sony Music Poland as the I Colori Dell'Amore album.

Throughout his career Betka has enjoyed many successful collaborations with different vocalists and actors, both as pianist and composer, and has also given solo recitals.

In January 2015 he recorded his first piano solo album, Miniatures. Locking himself in the Pomeranian Philharmonic Concert Hall in Bydgoszcz with a Steinway Model D piano, he recorded over ten hours of new piano material during a few day and night sessions. After careful selection, the project was completed, featuring ten of his short compositions, in classical and cinematic style, with elements of improvisation and jazz harmony. This album is now available from his website via the link below.

Information: www.tomaszbetka.com

Posted: 1 December 2015

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