Michal Wierzgon

Born in 1994 (Czech Republic), Michał is aspiring young jazz live/session drummer and composer currently studying in Austria. He is a member of several notable bands (Purple is the Color, Harry Sokal, and others) and is actively performing on the Austrian and Czech music scene.

Michał has garnered recognition at various international jazz competitions. In 2015, he won a prize for the ”Best Soloist” within European Jazz Competition in the Netherlands. He has also won an “individual award” in the international competition at the Krokus Jazz Festival as well as many other awards and prizes. Recently, Michał has been featured as the drummer of the month in the Austrian drum-magazine "Backbeat". After being accepted to Anton Brückner Private University in Linz, Michał mainly studied with the New Orleans drummer Jeffrey Boudreaux (Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Rick Margitza, Toots Thielemans, Alexandre Desplat, and many others). During the second year of studying at ABPU, Michał was invited to work with the Austrian jazz saxophonist Harry Sokal (Art Farmer, Joe Zawinul, Vienna Art Orchestra) with whom he recorded the album “I Remember Art” which was nominated for the prestigious "German Record Critics' Award".

In 2018, Michał got accepted for the exchange program at the “Le Pôle Supérieur d'enseignement artistique Paris Boulogne-Billancourt” (PSPBB) in France and had a chance to study with the legendary drummer Daniel Humair. He also took part in masterclasses of musicians such as Brian Blade, Chris Dave, David Dorůžka, and others.

With the band Purple is the Color, Michał recorded a well-received debut CD “UNMASKED" and has toured across Europe. The album also features his composition “For Now”. The band has won the Central European Competition 2018 as an absolute winner. In 2020 band released its second album "EPIC" which also contains his compositions.

Michał's open-minded approach to playing allows him to move freely across various musical genres. He also performs with Beránci a Vlci - an ambitious audio-visual project from the Czech jazz bassist and multi-instrumentalist Marian Friedl, which uniquely blends traditional Wallach, world, and also jazz music. The self-titled album was warmly accepted among the critics and won Anděl Awards 2017 as the best album in its category. Michał also works with Czech classical pianist and composer Nikol Bóková with whom he recorded two highly acclaimed albums; Inner Place (2019) and Unravel (2020). Inner Place was nominated for the Anděl Awards 2019 as the best jazz album.

Michał's latest solo video "Bluehalo" showcases his unique approach to live electronic music and acoustic drumming.

Nikol Bókóva: Prometheus

Read "Prometheus" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann

by Friedrich Kunzmann
June 10, 2021

The quintet which pianist Nikol Bóková rounded up for her third album as a leader can be regarded as a showpiece of the young and dynamic talents stirring up the Czech jazz scene. Featuring the crafty skills of contemporary guitarist David Doruzka, French-horn player Radek Baborak's exceptional lyricism, and a versatile rhythm section made up of bassist Jaromir Honzak and Michal Wierzgon, Prometheus presents a highly melodious program which blends timeless lyricism with modern soundscapes to an effect that weighs ...