Janek Gwizdala Podcast
Dive deep into the music universe with the podcast that unveils the journey of one of the most influential bass players in the music industry – Janek Gwizdala. Designed for bass enthusiasts and musicians alike, each episode is a sonic exploration into the world of groove, gear. technique, and artistic evolution.
Janek Gwizdala, renowned for his mastery of the bass, shares his life's narrative – from the early days as a budding musician to his current status as a sought-after sideman and solo artist. Whether you're a seasoned bassist or simply appreciate the magic of live music, join us as we unravel the layers of Janek's experiences, revealing the secrets behind his signature sound.
Expect in-depth conversations with Janek and special guests, offering unique perspectives on music, composition, and the art of creating an unforgettable groove. Explore the challenges and triumphs of a professional bass player, gain insights into the creative process, and discover the stories behind some of Janek's most iconic performances.
Whether you're looking for inspiration for your own musical journey or simply want to bask in the rich tones of the bass, "The Janek Gwizdala Podcast" is your backstage pass to the world of bass and music.
Subscribe now for an intimate look at the life and legacy of Janek Gwizdala's bass-centric career.
janekgwizdala.substack.com
I'm Back To Full Strength!
2023-05-15 22:53:55
It’s a good feeling to be making progress with music again. Just to be able to sit and play a major scale without coughing up both my lungs is a huge step forward, and as you’ll hear in today’s episode, there’s a heck of a lot more than just major scales happening right now. Here’s hoping I can get back to full fitness in the gym, and execute all the ideas my brain has been working overtime to produce. Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
It’s a good feeling to be making progress with music again. Just to be able to sit and play a major scale without coughing up both my lungs is a huge step forward, and as you’ll hear in today’s episode, there’s a heck of a lot more than just major scales happening right now.
Here’s hoping I can get back to full fitness in the gym, and execute all the ideas my brain has been working overtime to produce.
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The Best Band John Scofield Never Recorded
2023-05-09 01:30:04
Thanks to an incredibly generous gift from a subscriber here on substack, I once again have a working minidisc player and with it, access to bootlegs and sessions I haven’t heard in over 20 years. One of my all-time favorites was a show I went to only weeks after moving to the US that featured John Scofield, Will Boulware, Marlon Browden and Matt Garrison. I share some of that bootleg in today’s episode, and talk about the importance of not forgetting your process from early periods of your development as a musician. Don’t forget the new Giant Steps book is out and the Pre-Sale for the new album is happening right now! Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Thanks to an incredibly generous gift from a subscriber here on substack, I once again have a working minidisc player and with it, access to bootlegs and sessions I haven’t heard in over 20 years.
One of my all-time favorites was a show I went to only weeks after moving to the US that featured John Scofield, Will Boulware, Marlon Browden and Matt Garrison.
I share some of that bootleg in today’s episode, and talk about the importance of not forgetting your process from early periods of your development as a musician.
Don’t forget the new Giant Steps book is out and the Pre-Sale for the new album is happening right now!
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Writing A New Album
2023-05-02 23:12:35
As August and the sessions for the new album in Argentina are rapidly approaching, the pressure to get some notes on the page is mounting. In today’s episode I’m working on a new idea and go over how I think about orchestrating a composition, and where some of the idea might possibly end up on the album. I also came up with a new bonus for everyone involved in the pre-sale for the new album which I’m really excited about! The bronchitis is still bugging me, but it’s heading in the right direction. I hope I can both be on time with next week’s episode, and have gotten rid of this hacking cough. Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
As August and the sessions for the new album in Argentina are rapidly approaching, the pressure to get some notes on the page is mounting. In today’s episode I’m working on a new idea and go over how I think about orchestrating a composition, and where some of the idea might possibly end up on the album.
I also came up with a new bonus for everyone involved in the pre-sale for the new album which I’m really excited about!
The bronchitis is still bugging me, but it’s heading in the right direction. I hope I can both be on time with next week’s episode, and have gotten rid of this hacking cough.
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Health: Definitely Not On Track...
2023-04-25 22:32:53
I should have been taping this week's episode of the podcast on Sunday morning, but instead I was making my first visit to Urgent care in 25 years of living in the US. That, and much more in this episode, including the launch of the brand new Giant Steps book! Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I should have been taping this week's episode of the podcast on Sunday morning, but instead I was making my first visit to Urgent care in 25 years of living in the US. That, and much more in this episode, including the launch of the brand new Giant Steps book!
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
We Should All Play More Instruments
2023-04-17 21:37:34
The technical limitations of playing an instrument that isn’t your first aren’t the only benefit to a more honest writing process, but they definitely help. Over time my piano chops have become fairly robust, but they are nowhere near my bass playing, and as a result I’m able to sit at the piano and play things that aren’t super technical and baked into my playing. It forces me to simplify my approach to the composition process, and I find many happy accidental changes of direction due to my fumbling of a melody or a chord. I come across far more things this way than I would at the bass, and today’s episode takes a look at my writing process as I get to grips with composing for a large scale choir ahead of the sessions for my new album in Argentina in a few months. Be a part of the project by participating in the pre-sale here . Cheers, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The technical limitations of playing an instrument that isn’t your first aren’t the only benefit to a more honest writing process, but they definitely help.
Over time my piano chops have become fairly robust, but they are nowhere near my bass playing, and as a result I’m able to sit at the piano and play things that aren’t super technical and baked into my playing. It forces me to simplify my approach to the composition process, and I find many happy accidental changes of direction due to my fumbling of a melody or a chord.
I come across far more things this way than I would at the bass, and today’s episode takes a look at my writing process as I get to grips with composing for a large scale choir ahead of the sessions for my new album in Argentina in a few months.
Be a part of the project by participating in the pre-sale here.
Cheers,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
How Do You Stop Airlines Destroying Pedalboards?
2023-04-11 09:30:00
We’re talking about everything from String Tension to touring pedalboards in today’s episode. A new board build will be coming up in a couple of months to try and prepare for summer touring in the US, and recording the new album in Argentina. Other things mentioned in the podcast include: Today's Sponsor: https://www.steigerdynamics.com/ Rick Margitza "Hope": Bass Books: https://janekgwizdala.com/store Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/ Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
We’re talking about everything from String Tension to touring pedalboards in today’s episode. A new board build will be coming up in a couple of months to try and prepare for summer touring in the US, and recording the new album in Argentina.
Other things mentioned in the podcast include:
Today's Sponsor: https://www.steigerdynamics.com/
Rick Margitza "Hope":
Bass Books: https://janekgwizdala.com/store
Janek's Bass Studio: https://www.janeksbassstudio.com/
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The Genius Behind The Noble Preamp DI
2023-04-05 08:28:42
I was so psyched to be back in Santa Cruz on tour again after so many years, and am really glad it worked out to have Jack come by my hotel and tape this interview for you all. I’ve been a massive fan of the Noble since Jack handed me serial #9 (an unintended prototype) in Santa Cruz when I was on tour with David Ryan Harris in 2014. I’ve used it almost non-stop ever since, have always been curious about the back story to the company, and the ideas that eventually became what we all know and love today as the Noble Preamp DI. Jack or Noble are in no way sponsoring this podcast. I recommend the unit during the interview out of a genuine love for what it’s meant to me over the years, and this interview came about because of my curiosity in terms of the story of Noble. Enjoy, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I was so psyched to be back in Santa Cruz on tour again after so many years, and am really glad it worked out to have Jack come by my hotel and tape this interview for you all.
I’ve been a massive fan of the Noble since Jack handed me serial #9 (an unintended prototype) in Santa Cruz when I was on tour with David Ryan Harris in 2014. I’ve used it almost non-stop ever since, have always been curious about the back story to the company, and the ideas that eventually became what we all know and love today as the Noble Preamp DI.
Jack or Noble are in no way sponsoring this podcast. I recommend the unit during the interview out of a genuine love for what it’s meant to me over the years, and this interview came about because of my curiosity in terms of the story of Noble.
Enjoy, Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
The Best Advice I Was Ever Given
2023-03-29 02:54:39
Greetings from the Vital Information 40th Anniversary tour. We’re out on the west coast of the US, and having a blast. Donny McCaslin stopped by our show in Santa Cruz last night and melted a few faces, and we’re now up in Oregon enjoying our first day off, and preparing for the last four shows of this leg of the tour. I’m psyched to be able to carry a touring podcast setup and still be able to bring you this every week. I know it’s a day late, but travel, combined with an incredibly slow laptop that is allergic to video and audio editing, got the better of me with the workload. I’m looking forward to being back in my studio and being able to share some video and audio from the shows, but until then, enjoy the episode and don’t forget the pre-sale for the new album is up and running! Get your copy now and follow the journey to Argentina as the project unfolds and takes shape. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Greetings from the Vital Information 40th Anniversary tour. We’re out on the west coast of the US, and having a blast. Donny McCaslin stopped by our show in Santa Cruz last night and melted a few faces, and we’re now up in Oregon enjoying our first day off, and preparing for the last four shows of this leg of the tour.
I’m psyched to be able to carry a touring podcast setup and still be able to bring you this every week. I know it’s a day late, but travel, combined with an incredibly slow laptop that is allergic to video and audio editing, got the better of me with the workload.
I’m looking forward to being back in my studio and being able to share some video and audio from the shows, but until then, enjoy the episode and don’t forget the pre-sale for the new album is up and running! Get your copy now and follow the journey to Argentina as the project unfolds and takes shape.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
In Conversation With Peter Erskine
2023-03-20 20:06:09
From who Peter considers to be his favorite drummer in Weather Report, to how we can all improve our experience as musicians from the simplest adjustments of intent, Peter goes deep into some of the most important stops along the way of his decades-long musical journey. Steps Ahead, Weather Report, Stan Kenton, and Steely Dan all come up in our conversation as well as details on the importance of his relationship with bassist Marc Johnson and how he reveres studio legends like Jeff Porcaro and Jim Keltner. We also close the interview with a fantastic Will Lee story that showcases Pete’s humility and sense of humor. I’m proud to call Peter a friend, honored to have called him a colleague and collaborator for many years, and I’m excited to be able to share this Sunday morning chat with you. Janek. Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
From who Peter considers to be his favorite drummer in Weather Report, to how we can all improve our experience as musicians from the simplest adjustments of intent, Peter goes deep into some of the most important stops along the way of his decades-long musical journey.
Steps Ahead, Weather Report, Stan Kenton, and Steely Dan all come up in our conversation as well as details on the importance of his relationship with bassist Marc Johnson and how he reveres studio legends like Jeff Porcaro and Jim Keltner.
We also close the interview with a fantastic Will Lee story that showcases Pete’s humility and sense of humor.
I’m proud to call Peter a friend, honored to have called him a colleague and collaborator for many years, and I’m excited to be able to share this Sunday morning chat with you.
Janek.
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
I Don't Just Play Jazz | Sharing My Studio Career
2023-03-13 15:00:00
Whether as a bass player, keyboard player, guitarist or producer, my time in the studio making records during my career has been some of the most fun I’ve had with music. Despite the absolute craziness of home-life right now, and the deadlines rapidly approaching on the new book and Steve Smith’s Vital Information tour about to start, I managed to get this episode done late last night, and I hope you dig the trip down memory lane looking at a few of the records I’ve played on. A good chunk of the songs and albums can be found in this playlist on spotify. I’ll keep adding to the list as I find more. Cheers, Janek Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe
Whether as a bass player, keyboard player, guitarist or producer, my time in the studio making records during my career has been some of the most fun I’ve had with music.
Despite the absolute craziness of home-life right now, and the deadlines rapidly approaching on the new book and Steve Smith’s Vital Information tour about to start, I managed to get this episode done late last night, and I hope you dig the trip down memory lane looking at a few of the records I’ve played on.
A good chunk of the songs and albums can be found in this playlist on spotify. I’ll keep adding to the list as I find more.
Cheers,
Janek
Get full access to Janek's Newsletter at janekgwizdala.substack.com/subscribe