Miguel Czachowski: flamenko guitar player

The craftsmanship that is available only for privileged, alchemists of sound. It’s something more than world music, it is the music of the spheres. Spirit of India and Andalusia hovering above the firmament, filled with quality and beauty of the infinite colors. Where life becomes a passion … and sound becomes its essence.

Miguel CZACHOWSKI – flamenco guitar player, architect, musical producer, owner of the CM Records company.

Miguel was born in 1974 in Poland, his family adored Flamenco. From a young age, he immersed himself in the flamenco music. At twelve, he began to learn to play guitar. He furthered his studies by taking master classes from renowned flamenco players, such as Rafael Cortés, Salva del Real, and Gerardo Nuñez. Furthermore, he founded a Flamenco group, dubbed “Viva Flamenco!” The ensemble blended modern and conventional Flamenco with touches of Indian and Jazz music. Through solo performances and with his band, Miguel clinched many awards in Polish folk festivals and is widely considered to be the top flamenco performer in his homeland. He has presented concerts throughout Poland and in other countries including the United States, Canada, Russia, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, England, Belgium, Luxemburg, Holland, Finland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Belarus, Ukraine, Hungary, Andorra, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Nigeria, Turkey, Oman, Singapore, Mexico, Colombia and India. For some time he has been giving flamenco guitar lessons and has written articles and conducted interviews revolving around flamenco music for magazines such as “Flamenco International Magazine”, “Jazz Forum”, “Top Guitar” and “Swiat Gitary”. In 1998, after being presented in Italy, he was welcomed to India to mentor the Academy of Music and Fine Arts in Nagpur in flamenco guitar. During his stay, he delved deeper into Indian music and trained in the sitar under the tutelage of Avaneendra Sheolikar. His interest in both flamenco and Indian music led him to create the record Indialucia, an upbeat combination of the two genres.

In parallel to his music career, he achieved a degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice.

Awards and prizes

2019 Golden Europea – award – golden statuette for artistic and cultural activity awarded by the European Union of Arts

2019 Time Portal Festival in Prague, 2nd prize

2015 Folk Phonogram of the Year 2014 for the album Acatao, 2nd prize

2007 nomination for the Fryderyk 2006 award for the album Indialucia

2006 Wirtualne Gęśle – Best Folk Album of 2005, 1st prize

2006 Folk Phonogram of the Year 2005, 2nd prize

2005 Best Flamenco Guitarist in the “Guitar and Bass” plebiscite

2004 Best Flamenco Guitarist in the “Guitar and Bass” plebiscite

2002 “Ethnosfera” in Skierniewice, 3rd prize

1999 Scholarship at the “Academy of Music and Fine Arts” in India

1999 1st prize M. Baczko and P. Zakrzewski received from the “ Foundation for Poland “

1998 1st prize of the Minister of Culture and Art – “Folkowa Majówka” in Radom

1997 First prize of Radio Katowice in the “I want to be a star” competition

1997 “Folk Majówka” in Radom, 2nd prize

1996 Award of the Rector of the University of Lublin Maria Curie – Skłodowska

1996 “Mikołajki Folkowe” in Lublin, 2nd prize

1996 “Folk Majówka” in Radom, 2nd prize

1995 “True Music Festival” in Tarnowskie Góry, 3rd prize

Discography or Albums

Indialucia (2005, CM Records)

Indialucia (2007, Rasa Music)

– music album was released in December 2005, combining two musical styles: Indian music and flamenco. The recordings were made between 1999 and 2004, mainly in India and Spain. Many musicians from both continents took part in them.

The album was distinguished with the 1st prize “Best Album of the Year 2005” Wirtualne Gesle and 2nd music critics’ prize at the New Tradition competition for the “Folk Phonogram of 2005” award.

Acatao (2014, CM Records)

the second studio album produced by Michał Czachowski, which is a continuation of the international music project Indialucia, belonging to the genre of World Music Fusion. Indialucia is the first band that has combined Indian music with Andalusian flamenco, styles, and instruments that have not been associated with each other before. The name of the Acatao plate comes from an old Iberian Roma dialect called Caló. The album is distinguished by a completely acoustic sound and the participation of many guests associated with both flamenco and Indian ethnic music.

The second album Acatao released in 2014 got 2nd music critics’ prize at the New Tradition competition for the “Folk Phonogram of 2014” award.

Guest participation

Tuomas Kantelinen, “The Adventurers” Milan Records 2017 (USA)
Małgorzata and Andrzej Otremba “Sweet & Spicy, CM Records 2017 (Poland)
Culture of the Spirit Vol. 1, CoS Records 2016 (Italy)
Dobroto CD, CM Records 2016 (Poland)
Song Called Life, Single 2015 (Belgium)
Tuomas Kantelinen, “The Snow Queen” (2013, Ondine)
Casabella, Open the Gate (2013, Casabella)
Ignacio Fernandez, Conjuro (2011, CM Records)
Village Kollektiv , Subvillage Sound , (2010, Open Sources)
Maria Pomianowska, Chopin on 5 Continents (2010, CM Records)
Sulfur Phuture, Sulfur Phuture, (2009, Open Sources)
Pearls and Rogues of Shanghai, Szantypody (2007, Joter Music)
Noche de Boleros, Chilli (2007, Warner Music)
Revive, (2006, Rasa Music)
Bogusław Maciaszek, Remedium Solińskie (2006, Ruthenus)
We Build Bridges, (2006, Grain 200)
Intriguing India, (2006, Rasa Music)
Rasa Mello III, (2005, Rasa Music)
Beltaine , Rockhill, (2004, Beltaine & WSZiM)
Blue Café, Demi – Sec , (2003, Pomaton EMI)
Silesian Guitar Autumn 2002, (2003, MCK)
Lean Back, 10 Plus Seven, (1999, MR)
Twelve Waterdrop Stories, (1996, Eine Mehr Produktion)

Film music

The Adventurers, 2017 (USA)
Barefoot through the world – Spain and Portugal, Polish Television 2009 (Poland)
The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day (The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day), soundtrack (2009, Stage 6 Films)
Naked in Ashes, soundtrack (2005, Tony Humecke)

Work process

Artworks

Craft

Music

BAND

VIVA FLAMENCO!

In 1992, guitarist Michał Czachowski created "VIVA FLAMENCO!" to produce a unique blend of classic and contemporary flamenco music drawing inspiration from Indian, Arabic, and jazz music. Together with guitars, the ensemble incorporates numerous traditional ethnic musical instruments to give their performance a vivid, exotic flair. Their diverse library of music contains improvisational pieces composed by some of the greatest flamenco guitarists, as well as traditional and original works that vary in rhythm and emotion. The talented playing of their instruments is accentuated by elaborate costumes and creative dances, creating an unforgettable show of artistry. The team has won numerous awards over the years and regularly provides performances in Poland and overseas, at premier guitar gatherings, as well as jazz, ethnic, and folk festivals. Not only have they brought their music to large venues such as large halls, theaters, and philharmonics, but they have also performed as solos or groups in various local venues.

Trilokam – Kathak vs Flamenco by Indialucia

Zespół Viva Flamenco

Arsa y Toma – bulerias See more

INDIALUCIA

Since 1999, Indialucia has presented concerts globally where they blend Indian music with traditional flamenco from Andalusia. For this project, they have recruited many acclaimed talents from Spain, India, and Poland. When listening to their performances, audiences are treated to a stimulating amalgamation of these two cultures' deep-rooted heritages. Improvisation and timing are the two elements that form the foundation of both musical genres and are imperative to carry this music on. Additionally, Indian and flamenco music have been incorporated into the sound, as well as jazz piano, bass guitar, flute, and dance, and in 2016 they began embarking on a tour with classical orchestras, which gives a fresh twist to symphonic music. They have performed and recorded with many acclaimed musicians including Jorge Pardo, Paquito Gonzalez, L. Subramaniam, Purbayan Chatterjee, Domingo Patricio, Leszek Mozdzer, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Kavita Krishnamurti and other notable figures.