What made you join the United States of Beta “Poles Jazz the World” project?
The idea behind the project had intrigued me before I even heard any compositions or pieces of music. It was this idea that encouraged me to give it a shot. The first rehearsal with the musicians strengthened my belief that this project was perfect for me. I love working with creative and enthusiastic people who care not only about music but also about a more profound message.
What was it like to work on this project?
It was a very creative and multistage process. I didn’t have everything given on a plate and I didn’t join the project only to sing and record my voice as it often happens with other guest performances. I met with the musicians many times to practise and master all the songs and record trial versions. I love working in this way.
There are two compositions you sing on the record – an oriental “Calling” and an atmospheric “Weather the storm”. How were they made? What was the main inspiration behind them?
The oriental “Calling” was based on the composition by a piano player, Artur Bogusławski, and Maria Klatka. In the meantime the lyrics changed a lot because there were three different language versions: the Polish one (by Artur Bogusławski), the English one (translated by Maya Takeuchi) and the Hindi one (translated by Filip Ruciński). We finally approved the latest one. The initial composition was based on a jazz trio (Artur Bogusławski – piano, Bartosz Nazaruk – drums, Jan Wierzbicki – double bass) but it was later enriched with some Arabic vocalisations by Jahiar Irani and Oud sounds performed by Mateusz Szemraj. The song is about a relation between men and nature. It is a call to respect the law of nature and a warning of the consequences that destroying nature can cause. This was the main inspiration for Artur Bogusławski. Being a nature fan myself, I immediately loved the song.
The second, slightly jazzier composition, “Weather the storm,” was quicker to write. The instrumental arrangement was more or less ready and I came up with the melody. The English text was written by Maya Takeuchi. This song is about loneliness and a romantic relation between people. It indicates the need to cope with the obstacles and fight for another person so love can last.
What were your emotions connected with performing these songs?
These are two different compositions and the emotions they evoked were different too. “Weather the storm” makes me think about relations between people and feel nostalgic, while “Calling” makes me want to fly and admire nature. It is “Calling” that is closer to my heart, also due to its oriental inspirations.
What is the value that the USB project has brought to your artistic world?
This project came along when I had a difficult moment in my life and it became a positive kick for me. It encouraged me to do something and it restored my faith in what I do. Besides, it was the first time when I had a chance to sing anything Indian-style with jazz musicians. It was a very original and developing experience.
What do you do apart from the United States of Beta project?
I work as a vocalist in a few different projects. At the moment I sing with Tomek Szymuś Orchestra in “Dance with the Stars” show, I cooperate with Adam Sztaba Orchestra and I often record Polish songs for cartoons. My focus in the last few years has been my own solo activity, which resulted in two records: “Shuruvath” and “Changing”. They were largely inspired by Indian music, which I discovered during my numerous trips to India. In India I also learned classical Indian music called raga with a Sanskrit University teacher in Varanasi.
My latest media adventure was taking part in this year’s edition of the talent show called “The Voice of Poland” where I qualified for the quarterfinals.
Recently I also became an ambassador of the Global Language Foundation set up by Eliza Taworska who, together with volunteers around Poland, helps children and women from the poorest social class to gain access to education. It also provides them with medical care. Our aim is to promote volunteerism and encourage people to go to India where, apart from sightseeing and getting to know Indian culture, they can actively help those in need.
What are your professional plans for the nearest future?
At the moment I’m gathering material for my next record and I’m planning concerts with my solo repertoire.
The album “United States of Beta – Poles Jazz the World” was created entirely by a group of instrumentalists from Warsaw: Artur Bogusławski – pianist, heart of the project, versatile musician, Bartosz Nazaruk – drums, rythm section in Kayah & Transoriental Orchestra, Janek Wierzbicki – emerging bass talent, Bogusz Wekka – percussions, on stage along with Bobby McFerrin, Przemek Kostrzewa – trumpet, for opinions please refer to Tomasz Stańko, Andrzej Karp – sound engineer, the only Pole wandering in the studio of Petera Gabriela and guest vocalists: Maria Sadowska, Magda Navarrete, Anna Józefina Lubieniecka, Kasia Nowicka (Novika), Michał Rudaś, Katarzyna Kurzawska, Małgorzata Hutek and Nick Sinckler.
The album “United States of Beta – Poles Jazz the World”, composed of an LP and a photo album of over hundred pages by an excellent photographer, Piotr Malczewski.
More information about the project you can find on: United States of Beta
More information about Michał Rudaś you can find on his official website: Michał Rudaś
About the Global Language Foundation you can read on: our portal and official website of Foundation.
Listen also to the United States of Beta- Michał Rudaś interview and song teaser “Calling”:
Film by Andrzej Juraszczyk
Photo © Tatiana Jachyra