Grzegorz Ciechowski, Warsaw 2000, photo: Adam Jagielak / REPORTER
Grzegorz Ciechowski played the piano and flute, he performed in Tczew with local bands Nocny Pociąg and Jazz Formation. After moving to Toruń, in 1979 Ciechowski joined Res Publica and soon became its leader. In 1980 the group decided to change its name to Republika and over the next few years it become one of the most popular Polish bands of the 80s.
Republika debuted on stage in Autumn 1981 in Toruń, but concerts in Warsaw the following spring brought attention to the band. After several highly popular singles, Republika recorded its debut album Nowe sytuacje / New situations in Autumn 1982, released in March 1983. All the songs were written by Ciechowski. The band recorded an English version of the album, released in the UK as 1984 and toured Western Europe, including Roskilde festival.
In November 1984, Republika released its second album, Nieustanne tango / Continuous tango. And after a few more singles, the band broke up in Summer 1986.
Ciechowski recorded and performed solo as Obywatel G.C. (Citizen G.C.). His self-titled debut album appeared in late 1986, recorded with some of the best jazz and rock musicians of that time - Jan Borysewicz (guitar), Krzysztof Ścierański (bass), Jose Torres (percussion), Janusz Skowron (keyboards) or Michał Urbaniak (saxophones). The majority of the album consisted of songs written for Republika, albeit brought more varied and richer sound. Praised by critics, Obywatel G.C. failed to achieve commercial success.
Ciechowski's second solo album Tak tak / Yes Yes was recorded in Spring 1988 with Wojciech Karolak (Hammond organ), John Porter (guitar), Adam Wendt (saxophone) and Tomasz Stańko (trumpet). Both the title track and Nie pytaj o Polskę / Don't ask about Poland were popular radio hits, and the tour promoting this release appeared to be massively successful. Tak tak made its way to the top of numerous best of 1988 charts.
In 1989 Ciechowski recorded the soundtrack for Stan strachu / State of fear, a feature film by Janusz Kijowski. Based mainly on electronic instruments, it was recorded almost entirely solo with some help from Sławomir Piwowar (programming). In 1991 Ciechowski wrote another film song theme, this time for the German TV series Schloss Pompon Rouge.
1990 saw the return of Republika, initially for a concert at Opole Festival. After a brief tour, the band released 1991 containing new versions of earlier singles as well as four new tracks, including popular Lawa / Lava. In 1992 Ciechowski recorded his third solo album Obywatel świata / Citizen of the World, and in 1993 a new record with Republika - Siódma pieczęć / The Seventh seal.
During the 1990s Ciechowski performed on stage only occasionally, devoting his time primarily to family life. Two Republika albums were made during this period - Republika marzeń / Republika's Dreams (1995) and electronica-influenced Masakra / Massacre (1998). In 1995, as Grzegorz z Ciechowa, Ciechowski released OjDADAna, an electronic-based album of Polish folk song stylings.
Ciechowski also co-authored several albums by other artists, as a producer or lyricist. His collaborations included records by Kasia Kowalska, Kayah, Katarzyna Groniec or Justyna Steczkowska.
His last solo project was another soundtrack recording - 2001's theme song to Wiedźmin / The Sorcerer TV series.
Grzegorz Ciechowski died on December 22, 2001 in Warsaw after heart surgery complications.
Discography:
- with Republika:
- Nowe sytuacje, 1983, Polton,
- 1984, 1984, Mega,
- Nieustanne tango, 1984, Polton,
- 1991, 1991, Arston/MMPP,
- Siódma pieczęć, 1993, Sound-Pol,
- '82-'85, 1993, Sonic (compilation),
- Republika marzeń, 1995, Pomaton EMI,
- Masakra, 1998, Pomaton EMI,
- Biała flaga, 1999, Pomaton EMI,
- Republika, 2002, Pomaton EMI (live),
- Komplet, 2003, Pomaton EMI (box 13xCD).
solo: - Obywatel G.C., 1986, Tonpress
- Tak tak, 1988, Polskie Nagrania Muza
- Stan strachu, 1989, Polskie Nagrania Muza
- Obywatel świata, 1992, Arston
- Selekcja, 1993, Sonic (compilation)
- OjDADAna, 1996, Pomaton EMI (as Grzegorz z Ciechowa).
Auhtor: Maciej Sienkewicz, November 2010.