Kazimierz Guzowski
Kazimierz Guzowski (1933 Wąbrzeźno – 2017 Gdynia) was a distinguished Polish composer, clarinetist, saxophonist, and educator. An alumnus of the Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Muzyczna, Guzowski began his musical journey in the jazz scene of the Tricity area, performing with groups such as the Tralabomba Jazz Band, North Coast Quintet, and Modern Jazz Combo. He notably participated in the II Ogólnopolski Festiwal Muzyki Jazzowej in Sopot in 1957 and recorded music for films with Krzysztof Komeda.
Guzowski's career transitioned from performing to academia, where he served as a professor at the Akademia Muzyczna in Gdańsk from 1973 to 2008. His compositions spanned various forms, including piano pieces like "Miniatura-Impresja" (1968) and symphonic works such as the "Etiuda symfoniczna" (1972). He also composed for theater and radio, with works like "Lato" (1969) and "Wrzawa" (1982).
Throughout his life, Guzowski remained deeply connected to jazz, which influenced his compositional style. He received numerous accolades, including the Special Prize of the Polish Composers' Union in 1970 and the Artistic Award of the President of Gdynia in 2000. His legacy is celebrated for its contribution to both jazz and classical music in Poland.