Monika Borzym (; born March 3, 1990) is a Polish jazz singer who studied at Los Angeles Music Academy. Her debut album ''Girl Talk'', released in 2011 was certified platinum in Poland.

History

Early life and education (1998–2008)

Monika Borzym began her musical education in 1998, when she started attending music school in

Warsaw Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officia ...

and playing the piano. From August 2005 to June 2006, she was living in the U.S., where she attended

John Hersey High School John Hersey High School (also referred to as Hersey or JHHS) is a four-year public high school located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago in the United States. It enrolls students from Arlington Heights as well as parts ...

Arlington Heights, Illinois Arlington Heights is a municipality in Cook County with a small portion in Lake County in the U.S. state of Illinois. A suburb of Chicago, it lies about northwest of the city's downtown. Per the 2020 Census, the population was 77,676. Per the ...

and started learning jazz improvisation from Gail Bisesi in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

. After her return to Poland, she continued her education in Fryderyk Chopin Public Secondary School of Music in Warsaw in the class of Jazz Vocal (also attended by another Polish jazz vocalist,

Aga Zaryan Aga Zaryan (born Agnieszka Skrzypek on 17 January 1976) is a Polish jazz vocalist and the first Polish musician to sign with Blue Note Records. Her albums have earned gold, platinum, and multi-platinum status. In 2008 and 2012 she was honored w ...

, several years earlier). In 2008, Borzym received a scholarship to study at

University of Miami The University of Miami (UM, UMiami, Miami, U of M, and The U) is a private research university in Coral Gables, Florida. , the university enrolled 19,096 students in 12 colleges and schools across nearly 350 academic majors and programs, incl ...

Frost School of Music Frost School of Music is the music school at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. From 1926 to 2003, it was known as University of Miami School of Music. Academics and programs The University of Miami's Frost School of Music was on ...

, where she studied in classes of jazz musicians, such as Lisanne Lyons, Dante Luciani, Chuck Bergeron, Larry Lapin and

Greg Gisbert Gregory Lyle Gisbert (born February 2, 1966 in Mobile, Alabama) is an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist.Gary W. Kennedy, ''"Greg Gisbert''. '' Grove Jazz'' online Early years and school Gisbert played drums with his father as a chil ...

Break-through, ''Girl Talk'' and ''My Place'' (2009–present)

During the 2009 edition of the

Jazz Jamboree The Jazz Jamboree Festival, one of the largest and oldest jazz festivals in Europe, takes place in Warsaw. Organized bJazz Jamboree Foundation History The first Jazz Jamboree was organised by Hot-Club Hybrydy. It was three days long (18 to 21 Sept ...

festival, she was the only Polish artist and the only female artist invited by

Michał Urbaniak Michał Urbaniak (born January 22, 1943) is a Polish jazz musician who plays violin, lyricon, and saxophone. His music includes elements of folk music, rhythm and blues, hip hop, and symphonic music. History He was born in Warsaw, Poland. U ...

to perform in the

Congress Hall Congress Hall, located in Philadelphia at the intersection of Chestnut and 6th Streets, served as the seat of the United States Congress from December 6, 1790, to May 14, 1800. During Congress Hall's duration as the capitol of the United State ...

Palace of Culture and Science A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...

. In 2010, Borzym signed a contract with Sony Music Poland. Her debut album ''Girl Talk'', recorded in the U.S. and produced by Matt Pierson, was released on 3 October 2011. It contained fresh interpretations (arranged by

Gil Goldstein Gil Goldstein (born November 6, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American jazz pianist and accordionist. He has won 5 Grammy Awards and he was nominated 8 time Biography He began studying accordion at age 5 after noticing it in The Lawrence We ...

) of songs originally recorded by female jazz, soul and pop artists, such as

Joni Mitchell Roberta Joan "Joni" Mitchell ( Anderson; born November 7, 1943) is a Canadian-American musician, producer, and painter. Among the most influential singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1960s folk music circuit, Mitchell became known for her sta ...

Björk Björk Guðmundsdóttir ( , ; born 21 November 1965), known mononymously as Björk, is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress. Noted for her distinct three-octave vocal range and eccentric persona, she has de ...

Erykah Badu Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), known professionally as Erykah Badu (), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Influenced by rhythm and blues, R&B, Soul music, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the ...

and

Amy Winehouse Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was an English singer and songwriter. She was known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul, rhythm and blues and jazz. A membe ...

, among others. The album has received critical acclaim and was certified Platinum in Poland. On 15 October 2013, Borzym released her sophomore album, '' My Place'', consisting of original material and three covers.

Personal life

In 2010, Borzym married Makary Janowski, son of Polish singer and TV presenter

Robert Janowski Robert Mariusz Janowski (born 22 March 1961 in Inowrocław) is a Polish singer, TV presenter and musical journalist. Veterinarian by profession. Known for the role of Jan in ''Metro (musical), Metro'' musical in 90s and for hosting ''Jaka to melod ...

; the couple used to live in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. They divorced after five years of marriage. In 2019, Borzym had her first child with her partner, Polish musician Michał Bryndal.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Borzym, Monika 1990 births Living people Date of birth missing (living people) University of Miami Frost School of Music alumni Polish jazz singers English-language singers from Poland 21st-century Polish singers 21st-century Polish women singers Polish expatriates in the United States