THE BAND
Technically, the two-word name "Lonstar Band" is informal. Officially the group works collectively under the leader's aegis as LONSTAR. This tight name appears on the record covers, posters and in the media announces. However, due to a wide variety of Lonstar's own artistic incarnations (radio host, film festival em-cee, songwriter, critic and solo performer) some concert promoters add arbitrarily the word "band", to reassure their audiences that this is a band and not a solo act. In time it has become a minor, informal tradition. O.K. then! Won't you please meet... the Lonstar Band!
Poland'd first true country band, The Country Family, (where Lonstar was a frontman and supplier of most of their original songs) became history after the lifting of martial laws in Poland in 1983. It is hard to establish the exact date of disbanding because in the difficult years 1983-84, when the entire Polish culture was struggling for survival, Family would break up and reactivate several times with unsteady, occasional lineups, without the leader.
But in April '84 the indestructible Lonstar assembled his own band which after more than 20 years is still alive, bitin' and kickin'. Throughout those two decades their lineup comprised - on basis of collaboration, guest appearance or regular membership - an impressive host of artists whos list reads like "Who's Who" of Polish country, pop, rock, blues, and jazz music.
But throughout all those years there has crystalized and survived the band's core. And here they are:
MIREK "BORA" BORKOWSKI (guitars)
One of Poland's best six-stringers, often referred to as "nuke axe" due to his dynamic guitar playing. His style is best defined as the "total American music" which encompasses the elements of country, swamp rock and the blues. He has worked-out his own, recognizable sound. Strong and clear articulation, fast and melodious tone and an ever-growing range of techniques sum up to that one-of-a-kind "Bora Sound". Mirek is easy on the electronic effects so many other guitar players depend on. his sound originates from his fingertips and from his heart. Sometimes from the deep inside of his guts.
Guts is also where his famous, sassy sense of humor comes from. Besides, Mirek is an excellent cook and a dedicated angler-ecologist. He spends his every free minute in his self-built forest cabin in Northern Poland's lake district. He customizes and repairs not only all his guitars, but also his Mercedes which by now has more Mirek's own inventions then the original factory ones!
Bora with his nuclear-powered guitar enhanced the sounds of quite a few legendary Polish rock and blues bands; he also appears on numerous studio recordings of Polish pop stars.
JERZY STELMASZCZUK (bass guitar, upright acoustic double bass)
Just like "Bora" in the guitar field, Jerzy is a master-class bass player. Universal musical education (piano, violin, double bass), personal culture and an incredible awareness of all musical genres, from classical and operatic to jazz and blues, to country and rock (an impressive collection of several thousand records) makes him one of the most sought-after session musicians
Expert music-reading and an almost-telepathic intuition allow him to face with ease even the most challenging musical context which is an invaluable treat, particularly in the chaos of festival stage. Quiet, intelligent, with great sense of humor and conflictless nature, he's an ideal buddy, fully appreciated on a stressy tour.
He played (and still does) jazz, pop, cabaret and theatrical music with Poland's greatest artists of the aforementioned genres. Playing shown onboard the luxury cruises he sailed around the globe three times, drawing inspiration from the music of Caribbeans, Polynesia, Africa, Asia and both Americas. He is a music teacher in a private school of music and he's highly praised specialist on computer arrangements.
LESZEK "LESTER" LASKOWSKI (pedal steel guitar)
One might think that an engineer who manages a car-engine producing facility is a contradiction of music. Then again, such a difficult and "technical" instrument as pedal steel requires self-control, concentration and precision and Leszek has mastered them all better anyone else.
Not only does he play pedal steel guitar but also b u i l d s these instruments. When he had once bought an American-made Emmons steel, he detected one error in that apparently perfect instrument and he invented solution correcting the fault.
He is second (to Lonstar) Polish artist to have ever appeared onstage Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. He hosted and played with American artists touring Poland: Elizabeth Cook & George Hamilton V.
He is also a talented songwriter of catchy tunes with humorous, down-to-earth lyrics, as well as the co-leader of his own band, Colorado.
GRZEGORZ SZELEWA (drums)
Young die-hard, with a thundering power, ambitiously facing difficult challenges, he converts his boiling energy and lust for life into playing: sharp, dynamic and joyful.
He radiates optimism (not always justified! :)) and sense of humor, which dissolves any stressy situation.
Once he efficiently saved the day in an emergency situation and ever since, in spite of doubling in Colorado Band, he has played with Lonstar.
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