Paweł Gusnar

Paweł Gusnar is a Titular Professor at the Kiejstut and Grażyna Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź, teaching saxophone since 2003, with dual affiliation at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw where he served as Vice-Dean of the Instrumental Faculty (2012-2016). A globally recognized saxophonist, he bridges classical, jazz, and popular music traditions while championing contemporary Polish compositions.

Education:

• Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice
• Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw
• Doctor of Musical Arts (2011) - Dissertation: 'Realization of Elements of Jazz Music in Saxophone Literature'
• Postdoctoral degree (2014)

Artistic Research: Gusnar's work focuses on saxophone repertoire expansion through genre synthesis and Polish contemporary music advocacy. His doctoral research analyzed jazz integration in saxophone sonatas, and he has premiered over 30 new works including concertos by Penderecki and Knittel, establishing him as a catalyst for modern saxophone literature development.

Accolades:

• Fryderyk Award winner (2014) for album 'Saxophone Varie'
• Fryderyk Award nominations including Artist of the Year
• Two-time Coryphaeus of Polish Music nominee (2014, 2015)

Performance & Recording: With nearly 50 CD recordings including five solo albums, Gusnar collaborates with Sinfonia Varsovia, National Philharmonic, and jazz ensembles like Kukla Band. His Morpheus Saxophone Ensemble recording of Łukaszewski's 'Musica Sacra 5' won the 2015 Fryderyk Award. Endorsed by Yamaha and D'Addario, he performs globally from Paris to Odessa while conducting master classes at premier institutions.