Oktawia Kawęcka (Octavia, Octavia Kay, born 1991 in

Radom Radom is a city in east-central Poland, located approximately south of the capital, Warsaw. It is situated on the Mleczna River in the Masovian Voivodeship (since 1999), having previously been the seat of a separate Radom Voivodeship (1975–1 ...

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...

) is a Polish born singer, songwriter, flautist and actress. She lives and works in London. With a range of more than 4 octaves she performs both her own compositions as well as standards and cover versions. Her repertoire includes songs in Polish, English, French, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese and Italian.

Education and career

Oktawia Kawęcka graduated from

Fryderyk Chopin University of Music The Chopin University of Music ( pl, Uniwersytet Muzyczny Fryderyka Chopina, UMFC) is a musical conservatorium and academy located in central Warsaw, Poland. It is the oldest and largest music school in Poland, and one of the largest in Europe.

, and received scholarships from The A. Casella Conservatory in L'Aquila, Italy, and The Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome (C flute and opera vocals). She won many acclaimed awards at Polish and international music festivals, including, for example, Polish TV channel 1 award at the International Music and Dance Festival in Konin. Since her early years, she has also performed in numerous theatre plays. She has recorded for radio and TV- Polish National Radio, Jazzradio, Radio Kraków, Polish TVP1, TVP2, TVP3 and Polsat TV stations. Oktawia's debut album will be released in mid September 2008. Her modern arrangements put significant emotional emphasis on the Polish composers and their works. Apart from her own songs, the album includes a jazz waltz inspired by an Etude of

Frédéric Chopin Frédéric François Chopin (born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin; 1 March 181017 October 1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic period, who wrote primarily for solo piano. He has maintained worldwide renown as a leadin ...

, works by Stanislaw Moniuszko, worldwide renowned jazz musician

Michal Urbaniak Michal (; he, מיכל , gr, Μιχάλ) was, according to the first Book of Samuel, a princess of the United Kingdom of Israel; the younger daughter of King Saul, she was the first wife of David (), who later became king, first of Juda ...

, Jerzy Wasowski,

Jeremi Przybora Jeremi Przybora (12 December 1915 in Warsaw – 4 March 2004) was a Polish poet, writer, actor and singer. He created the TV-series "Kabaret Starszych Panów" (Elderly Gentlemen's Cabaret) with Jerzy Wasowski and performed ballad A ballad ...

. Oktawia was one of the first musicians in Poland to record two songs composed by an Oscar-winning composer Bronislaw Kaper. On March 21, 2017 she released her song "Plus Minus Infinity". The track was recorded and mixed by Cosmo Entertainment Label. The track is a preview of her new album which shall premiere this year. Octavia is working on her record with musicians, that are known for their musical cooperation with

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 ...

i.e. Troy Miller.

References

Polish musicians Living people 1985 births {{Poland-musician-stub