Szymon Fortuna (PL) is a drummer, teacher, graduated from Middlesex University in London where he finished Bachelor degree in jazz. He studied with great drummers such as Andrew Bain (UK), Gene Calderazzo (NYC, USA).
He participated in national and international projects, performing with International Youth Jazz Band (pl,ua) during Jazz Festival in Krakow ’Master and Youngsters’ (Starzy i młodzi, czyli Jazz w Krakowie)2006, Sztywny Pal Azji, Leszek Żądło, Luis Merino Quintet (Gran Canaria tour), performed in eastern and Western Europe.
Student at Berklee College of music during the summer 2009r, where he studied with Rob Kaufman, Larry Finn, Casey Scheuerell and others. Also took lessons with great people like Harry Tanschek, Mauricio Zottarelli and Andrzej Klima.
In march 2008 Szymon established an international project with musicians from England, Poland and Ukraine (FBI Jazz Project) with whom he recorded two live CDs, played two tours including Jazz Bez Festival. He also came up with the idea of arranging a quartet featuring Nick Schlueter (pn, usa), Geoff Bartholomew (tpt, uk) and Rob Paterson (db, uk).
He’s playing is strongly influenced by New Orleans second line drumming, be-bop, funk and drum & bass, as well as artists like: Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Steve Smith Jojo Mayer, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Hiromi Uehara and many others.
OTHER MUSICIANS ABOUT ME:
"Szymon Fortuna was already an advanced musician when he came to study with me at Berklee College of Music. He has proven to be one of my best students and players" - Robert Kaufman (prof. at Berklee College of Music)
"Szymon was quick thinking and knowledgable about theory and harmony." - Dave Weigert (prof. at Berklee College of Music)
"ambition without knowledge is like a boat on dry land."
friendly links:
Krakow School of Jazz & Contemporary Music
www.skafander.net.pl
www.e-gosciniec.pl
