Jacek Niedziela-bass player, composer and educator. From 2002-2005 Dean/Director of the Jazz Department/Institute at Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland. He teaches Bass and Jazz History. He is also actively involved in a number of summer workshops throughout Poland and acts as a jury member for many prestigious competitions and festivals. As a performer, Jacek has ranked first place (acoustic bass) in JAZZ FORUM's annual poll Jazz Top in 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002 and 1998. He has been a sideman on more than thirty records and made five CD’s as a leader: ” WOODEN SOUL” (1994), “JAZZOWE POETYCJE” (1996), “SCENY Z MACONDO” (1998), “HISTORIA ROKU MINIONEGO” (2002) and “BASSVILLE” (2004). Jacek Niedziela has performed with many of Poland's leading jazz groups: Walk Away (1985-87), Zbigniew Namyslowski (1987-89), New Presentation (1989-93), Piotr Baron Quartet (1996-2004) and Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski Quartet (1996-present). In addition, Jacek had performed and/or recorded with Art Farmer, Eddie Henderson, John Clayton, Mike Mainieri, Jack Wilkins, Kevin Mahogeny Victor Lewis, Deborah Brown during their tours in Poland. He has performed during many jazz festivals over the world and in such famous jazz clubs as New Morning-Paris; Quasimodo- Berlin; Village Gate and Birdland- New York, Blues Alley-Washington DC and Montmartre- Copenhagen.