Prize of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region for Slawek Dudar

Saxophonist and composer Slawek Dudar from the Hofer Land region has been elected Artist of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region in December 2024.

Auf dem Bild ist ein Mann zu sehen, der an einem Mikrofon Saxofon spielt. — Foto (Andreas Rau): Slawek Dudar

The Culture Forum of the European Metropolitan Region Nuremberg has chosen saxophonist and composer Slawek Dudar from the Hofer Land region as Artist of the Metropolitan Region in December 2024. Slawek Dudar is at home wherever jazz is played or heard, taught or organized. His instrument is the saxophone, he composes, teaches and performs in various formations throughout Europe. He has been working in Hof for a number of years and is an excellent addition to the jazz scene. Born in Poland and educated at the Wroclaw Academy of Music - jazz department - he works in Hof as a musician and saxophone teacher.

Dudar performs as a soloist, but also in various international formations. His repertoire ranges from Eastern Europe to the American jazz metropolises. Time and again he presents recordings such as his most recent CD "The colors of tonality". Sometimes he is the bandleader, as with the "Slawek Dudar Trio", sometimes he supports other colleagues as a sideman. His saxophone can also be heard on several records: "Inside City", "Brand New World", JUNODUET - Kodex 2, "Forever Green", "Longing For The Divine- Yashoda". His CDs have been reviewed by leading jazz magazines in countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, England, Australia, the USA and Japan. Musically, he is involved in a wide range of genres from funk and Indian music to electro and club music. However, his focus always remains on jazz; not fixed or stylistically monotonous, but always open and captivating.

With over 20 years of experience, he puts his teaching talent at the disposal of the Hofer Symphoniker music school and various school projects as a teacher. His formative influence becomes apparent after just a few years, which is extremely invigorating in the jazz scene. In addition, he initiated the "Hof Jazz Nights" and, as the overall artistic and organizational director, got it off the ground at his own risk. The festival now takes place - with the support of the city - as an event of the Tonkünstlerverband Hochfranken.

It is typical of Slawek Dudar that he simply cannot help but do his thing, find partners and convince sponsors to realize projects. He is a powerful driving force behind the development of a musical scene somewhat removed from the big cities. In addition to his musicality, the dedication with which he strives to promote jazz and organize events with people from his inexhaustible international connections is particularly admirable.

In addition to his active teaching, practicing and composing, Dudar is currently busy planning the next edition of Hof Jazz Nights and is working on the release of his album on the works of Duke Ellington, which was recently recorded in Hof and will be released soon. Mayor Eva Döhla, who is also the political spokesperson for the Metropolitan Region Culture Forum, will present the certificate together with Peter Nürmberger, Head of the Cultural Office, at the Hof Jazz Nights in spring 2025.

The breadth, diversity and comprehensive offering in the fields of art and culture represent an outstanding quality feature of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region and are an important location factor. In order to make the artistic and creative potential of the metropolitan region visible to the public, an artist from the Nuremberg metropolitan region has been honored every month since May 2010 by the Forum Kultur and presented in the regional press. The nominated artists come from all areas of artistic expression and make an important contribution to the creative profile of the metropolitan region as a "home for creatives". An expert jury deliberates twice a year on the nominees, who come from all geographical parts of the metropolitan region.