Kinga Głyk is an artist, known for her remarkable talent as a bassist and her unique approach to music. From a young age, Kinga was surrounded by music, thanks to her father, a musician who greatly influenced her. She began her musical journey at the age of 12, joining her family’s band, Głyk P.I.K. trio, which laid the foundation for her career. Her early exposure to performing and the support of her family instilled in her a deep connection to music that continues to shape her today.
Kinga’s music transcends genres, blending jazz with various influences while maintaining a strong sense of authenticity and creativity. She believes in the power of music to tell stories and evoke emotions, and this belief is reflected in her work. She has garnered international acclaim, performing in countries such as Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond. Her performances are known for their emotional depth and the connection she creates with her audience.
In the interview, Kinga Głyk talks about how her deep connection to music began at a young age and how her decision to play bass was instinctive rather than influenced by others. She reflects on her love for creativity and authenticity in music, her exploration of jazz and other genres, and her ongoing artistic evolution. Kinga also highlights the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her career, including the importance of staying motivated, embracing challenges, and remaining true to herself as an artist. Kinga expresses her excitement about performing at the Jazz in the Park festival in Cluj-Napoca. Having heard great things about the event, she and her band are eager to bring their full energy to the stage and hope to offer the audience a truly special experience.
Jazz in the Park Festival happens this weekend at the Ethnographic Park in Cluj.
Kinga, what was your childhood like, and what led you to pursue music?
Music has been a constant companion throughout my life. With my dad being a musician, I grew up surrounded by great music, and we spent a lot of time listening together. I think that’s why I feel such a deep connection to it.
However, choosing to play the bass was entirely my decision. No one ever suggested it to me, and I hadn’t even tried playing the bass before I felt drawn to it. There was just something about its sound that I loved, so I asked my dad to bring one home so I could start playing. That’s how it all began.
We know that you used to play with your brother and father during your childhood. How did they influence your musical journey? How did they support you, and what advice did they give you?
Performing with my dad and brother is something I truly treasure. We spend countless hours together, guided and supported by our dad, practicing and finding the best ways to make the music sound good. My brother is only three years older than me, so I think we were both pretty unaware of things in the beginning. We were very open and focused on listening to all the advice we got from our dad—and mom, of course. Starting to perform at such a young age (I was around 11) gave me a lot of real experience that has been incredibly helpful later in life. The more I reflect on it, the more I realize how great it was to have my dad by my side, supporting and motivating me to work hard.
There are soooo many things he taught us, but to mention just one or two, the main principle he spoke about was, “We always play with our whole heart, no matter if there are 1,000 people in the audience or just one—that doesn’t matter.” And that’s how it was—we experienced playing for just one person in the audience, and we still gave it our very best. Another thing he always wanted us to think about is that music is about something more. It’s not just the sound produced by an instrument; there has to be a story behind it. I completely agree with him, and I’m so glad he kept reminding me of that over the years—the meaning of music.
I believe that the variety of different moments on stage and behind the scenes really enriches us and teaches us how to better handle challenges. I’m incredibly grateful for that start.
What made you fall in love with jazz? Why jazz and not another musical genre?
I feel strongly connected to music that allows for human creativity—it doesn’t have to be jazz. Lately, I’ve been questioning what “jazz” even means, as it’s changed a lot. If you go to most jazz festivals now, I don’t think you’ll hear the same style of music you would have 10 years ago. For me, as long as there’s truth and authenticity in the music, I connect with it. I want to be free and open to all the experiences I have, which will help me stay creative, not stuck or blocked in my own head. My goal is to get better than I was yesterday, no matter the genre. I know I’m usually associated with jazz, but I’m not sure I would describe my music with that label. Sometimes, I worry it places a certain weight on my shoulders that I’d rather avoid, so I can follow my heart in any direction.
You are about to release your fifth album. How would you describe your musical journey so far? What is characteristic of you as an artist? What elements do you think set you apart in the world of jazz?
The album is finally released, and I’m super happy with the result. I feel so lucky to have worked on this album with such an amazing producer as Michael League. Honestly, if you had told me a few years ago that I would have the opportunity to work with him, I wouldn’t have believed it. It was a beautiful experience, and I learned a lot. The musical journey for me is full of surprises, with many moments of tears and joy—it can be an intense combination.
I care deeply about all the details of my work, not just from a musical perspective, which is only a small part of what this job demands. There are so many people “fighting” for the market, and the truth is, if you have no audience, you have no work. So, we’re all kind of responsible for keeping our listeners. But finding a way to stay authentic while keeping the audience is a great challenge. It is important to stay positive and motivated. Believe.
Over the years, you have performed in many countries. How do you think music unites us? What do all your concerts have in common? And when it comes to differences, do they appear in your performances depending on the location of the concert?
We all go to concerts to search for something, whether it’s to experience something beyond daily life, to relax, have fun, or take time to contemplate. Every concert is different—the energy from the audience leads us musicians in a certain musical direction, and of course, it’s influenced by the location and culture of certain places and how people react to the songs.
I’m happy that music is something that unites people and brings them together in one place. Not only as listeners, but it also helps bring musicians together to create special and beautiful things.
You have received numerous awards for your music. How do these feel, and what do they mean for an artist, from your perspective?
I’m not the biggest fan of dividing people and giving out awards for being the best bass player or having the best album of the year. It’s impossible to compare those things in this market because we’re all so different and unique. But I know it’s part of the world, and getting awards can help with getting jobs, since some people really follow those lists and that might be the only way they find you. For some, it really matters and is crucial.
So, nonetheless, I feel thankful if people pick me as their favorite—it’s always helpful. My work is connected to the fact that the more people know you, the easier it is to live and sustain yourself as a musician, but I would never say that awards define us or make us feel more valuable. They can just be helpful in supporting what we do.
Could you share some major challenges you have encountered in your career? How did you overcome them, and what did you learn from them?
I’m not sure I’ve completely overcome my biggest challenges. They often show up, and when they do, I try to handle them each time finding the best possible way. I’m working on having a healthy attitude about being a musician and understanding the reasons and goals behind it. It’s a long process, and I think that the more I learn about what I do, the safer and more confident I’ll feel. This way, I won’t be afraid of not finding a solution. I often try to analyze my own thoughts and look for interviews and podcasts where people share good advice on how to think in a healthy way or just speak to people about it.
The challenge is to stay disciplined and motivated, and to believe in your craft. It’s important to be consistent—doing something every day, even if it’s just for a little while. Staying creative and excited about what’s next is key. A big challenge for me is being responsible for other people and taking on a leadership role. This is my main challenge—figuring out how to do it well. There’s a lot of responsibility, and even when I try to stay calm about it, deep down, I really want to do a good job. But I believe the only way to get better is by doing it and staying aware of everything happening around you. Listen, care, and stay open to all that life brings your way.
What message would you give to a young artist now? What do you think they should know to be successful in the music industry? And specifically regarding jazz, what advice would you give them?
I don’t have the recipe for success, but that’s the last thing I’d worry about. I’d start by understanding myself, being clear on my dreams and goals, and staying authentic and real in what I do. It’s important to care about the quality of your work.
When it comes to jazz specifically, I’d say it’s crucial to deepen your vocabulary—the more words we know, the better we can express what we want to say. I feel like being curious is key.
This year, you will be performing at Jazz in the Park. What are your expectations for Cluj-Napoca? How do you think the audience there will receive you, and what can you tell us about your upcoming appearance? What does it mean to you to perform at this festival?
I have heard many good things about Jazz in the Park and am really looking forward to coming there! I would say I have expectations but we will do our best with my band to give them our whole energy there on the stage. Hope they will experience something special and maybe different from what they expect. I am sure the audience at Jazz in the Park is amazing, can’t wait to go there.
How do you see the importance of these jazz-dedicated initiatives, whether we talk about artists or the audience?
I love to talk about things and analyze, question, and seek for more. So for me it is important to have good conversations about most subjects you bring.
What message do you have for the audience at Jazz in the Park?
We’ll see 🙂 I think this message will appear there! People create a certain energy that allows us to free ourselves in different directions and play music in a fresh way. So what happens in Cluj Napoca at Jazz in the Park happens only once in a lifetime. That’s exciting.
Heels or flat shoes? – Flat shoes
3 words that describe you: food lover, improvising, changing introvert
What do you always do before going on stage? – Smile
If you could perform with any musician in history, who would you choose and why? – Would chose a band Earth, Wind& Fire – love their songs
The most beautiful thing a fan has ever said to you: when I grow up I want to be like you
You can read the interview in Romanian here.
Cover photo credit: Peter Hönnemann
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