The love for improvised music and a dream to have his own band have been a part of Piotr Budniak’s life as long as he can remember. The vision which was born in his youth quickly came into fruition and he debuted on the professional jazz scene at the age of 15. Together with his first band, Piotr Budniak Quintet, he won second place at one of the most prestigious Polish jazz competitions - Jazz Juniors.

The continuation of his youthful dreams, however, gained real momentum during his studies at the Academies of Music in Katowice and Krakow. This was where, in 2014, he gathered around him the most distinctive sounding jazz improvisers of his generation, he founded Piotr Budniak Essential Group.

In 2015, the group released its debut album “Simple Stories About Hope and Worries”, which was very well received by listeners and critics. It was recognised as one of the best jazz albums of the year and the band was acknowledged as one the best jazz groups (Jazz Forum, JazzPRESS). The second album “Into the Life” (JazzPRESS) released in 2017, received a similar reception. The album was also recognised as the album of the month on several prestigious music review websites. In 2018, the group began cooperation with one of the best and most well known guitarists in Europe - David Doruzka, which resulted in two jointly recorded albums: “The Days of Wine and Noises” (2018, Live) and “Hear Mind and Spirit” (2020). The latter was recognised by the journalists of the Polish radio as one of the best albums of the year just a few days after its premiere! In 2022 the group released their 5th album called HOMELAND which was inspired by works of Piotr's hometown poets.

The pieces of the Piotr Budniak Essential Group have often been selected as “tracks of the day” on many foreign jazz music websites (including allaboutjazz.com, jazz-fun.de). Although the group’s intention was to never take part in competitions, they stood on the podium during Jazz Juniors and Rock Pro Jazz Festival.

Piotr Budniak Essential Group performed at festivals such as: Jazz w Ruinach, Jazz Juniors, Polska Jazz, JAZZtrzebie, Vertigo Summer Jazz Festival, Jazz Crossing Festival Canada & Polska, Roze Jazz Festival, zJAZZD Festival and as a part of many recognised concert cycles: Jazzstate, Jazz i Ludzie, Nowi Mistrzowie, New Jazz Scene, Jazz w Dworach, Palacach and… Salon Jazzowy, Jazzujące Muzeum, Jazz w Starym Siole, Monte Verde Jazz. In addition to numerous performances in Poland,the band also gave concerts in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and Ukraine, where they met with a very enthusiastic reception.

Over the years, the group has collaborated with many renowned artists, such as: Peter Evans, Piotr Wojtasik, Jacques Kuba Sequin, David Dorůžka, Adam Kowalewski, Michal Sobierajski. The band performs Piotr’s original compositions balancing on the borderline of contemporary jazz, indie, film and improvised music, successfully combining high artistic quality which is easy on the listener.

Wojciech Lichtański - saxophones & flute Kajetan Borowski - piano Piotr Narajowski - double bass Piotr Budniak - drums