The concert of the 11th Silesian Blues Trail, held in the concert hall of Katowice City of Gardens, was an absolutely exceptional event. For the first time in history, Polish and Silesian blues and rock classics were placed alongside the greatest world standards — not as a curiosity or experiment, but as a full-fledged dialogue between equal traditions. And something extraordinary happened: the Silesian sound not only withstood the comparison, but shone with the full strength of its power, character, and truth.
An impressive group of artists appeared on stage — both legends of Polish and Silesian blues, as well as guests from abroad. All performed in specially prepared arrangements under the direction of Borys Sawaszkiewicz, whose musical sensitivity and experience gave the entire event a unique tone. As the artistic director of the concert, he created a space for the meeting of generations, traditions, and new interpretations. It was an evening in which the Silesian sound stood beside global blues standards and resonated just as strongly, authentically, and convincingly.
At the center of this musical dialogue stood an orchestra with the rhythm section of Max Ziobra and Andrzej Ryszka, bass by Andrzej Stagraczyński, guitars by Jacek Jaguś and Jakub Andrzejewski, pianos by Bartłomiej Szopiński and Sawaszkiewicz himself, violin by Jan Gałach, harmonica by Michał Kielak, and the brass section of the Retro Funk Orchestra under the leadership of Sebastian Stanny. Vocally, the evening was carried by Krzysztof Gorczak and Marta Fedyniszyn, whose interpretations became one of the most moving elements of the concert.
Special international guests also appeared on stage: Big Daddy Wilson from the United States, Budda Guedes from Portugal, and Adama Janlo from Norway — fresh from her victory at this year’s European Blues Challenge Katowice 2026. Her presence was not only an honor, but also a symbolic closing of the entire blues celebration in Katowice. She brought enormous sensitivity, stage power, and emotion to the concert.
Alongside them performed Polish artists who have been shaping the domestic blues scene for years: Sławek Wierzcholski, Łukasz Drapała, Marek “Makaron” Motyka, Maciej Lipina, Leszek Winder, and Wojciech Cugowski. Their presence added fire, character, and that unmistakable Silesian energy to the concert.
It was a true blues orchestra — multigenerational, diverse, full of personality and stage charisma. Each artist brought their own story, their own sound, and their own energy to the stage, together creating a concert difficult to compare with any other.
Combined with the European Blues Challenge Katowice 2026, the finale of the Trail became a beautiful closing of a celebration that moved the entire city. Katowice once again proved that it is a place where blues has its natural home — and where this music can resonate with extraordinary power. It was an evening that will remain in memory for a long time. And another proof that the history of Silesian blues is still being written — loudly, beautifully, and truthfully.]
