What made you take part in the United States of Beta Poles Jazz the World project?
It was… Marcin Pchałek. It’s definitely his passion, commitment and relentlessness that made my participation in the United States of Beta project real. We met in quite unusual circumstances. During his stay in Warsaw my cousin heard two men talking about a vocalist they were looking for to sing in their project. He approached them and told them about me. Later Marcin Pchałek, who was one of these men, contacted me and this is how everything started.
What are your impressions from working on this project?
The unusual thing about the Poles Jazz the World project was that it’s based on freedom and open hearts of everyone involved. The passion that radiates from Artur Bogusławski (the piano), Janek Wierzbicki (the bass) and Bartek Nazaruk (the drums) was extremely inspiring. The incredible joy that beams from the musicians made working with them a real pleasure. From a vocalist’s point of view I also enjoyed working with Paweł Lipski, who was responsible for making the record.
In the record you sing a song called “Mary.” What’s the story behind it? What was the main inspiration?
“Mary” is a song about Miriam, the mother of Jesus. There are certain moments in life when you’re completely sure of something. I was sure that the song I would perform with United States of Beta must be about this amazing woman. Working on this song was mainly a great honour for me but also a special lesson about who Mary was and how she loved. She is an ideal person for me, both as far as her femininity is concerned, as well as her belief that whatever God has planned for us is in our best interest no matter how difficult it may seem.
What were the emotions connected with performing this song?
First of all, it was calmness and joy. To a large extent the song reflects my feelings at that time. I felt moved I could sign and share what is important for me.
What was most rewarding about the USB project as far as your artistic world is concerned?
One of the most beautiful things about being a musician is the possibility to meet fantastic people who, with their sensitivity and knowledge, teach you how to experience the world. Similar thing has happened with this project. When I think about it, I imagine picking flowers. Every one of us has some great gift – a unique flower. If we share it with others, we make the whole bouquet richer. Thanks to the cooperation with United States of Beta my bunch of flowers has become more diverse and colourful.
“Road, search, – of truth, love…” – theese are the elements that connect your own record called “Grounded in love” and the USB project. What roads do you take in your everyday life? What does love mean to you?
Love makes me feel alive. It’s the simplest way to put it. I believe God created us from love and for love. It’s the meaning behind every act and the driving force to live, also to make music. I learn how to love every day – how to love God, myself, the way I am, as well as other people. I have realised that I cannot give love to others if I don’t have it myself. I think that life is about learning how to love, which also involves learning how to accept love.
What are your professional plans for the near future?
I would like to focus on promoting the “Grounded in Love” record but I also have new musical dreams. For now I prefer to keep them to myself though.
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 Małgorzata Hutek you can find on: FB | MySpace
Listen also to the United States of Beta- Małgorzata Hutek interview and song teaser “Mary”:
Film by Andrzej Juraszczyk
Photo © Anna Gawlak