Janek Gwizdala - his Strange Bass Journey, Pedalboard, Soloing and more

To become one of the world’s top bass players you need more than talent. Or as Janek Gwizdala says: “It’s 5% playing the instrument and 95% being with people.”
In today’s episode of our NEW KZbin interview series, you’ll hear how Janek became a true genius of the bass - complete with rare video footage, and a special bonus…
Stick around till the end of the video to see how Janek fared with our string change challenge!
💥 Janek Gwizdala, Official Website → janekgwizdala.com/
🎵 Stream Janek's latest album, 'Night Watch' → open.spotify.com/album/5DNkCi...
👀🔐 Check out our SBL members EXCLUSIVE interview with Janek Gwizdala, 'The Bass Lines That Made Me' → scottsbasslessons.com/intervi...
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Video Breakdown:
00:00 - Performance & Introduction
04:10 - Janek Gwizdala Signature Mattison Bass
05:10 - Introduction to Janek’s Bass Journey
14:45 - The Wal Era
20:00 - Influences
24:59 - Janek’s Berklee Experience
29:48 - The High C
33:52 - Janek’s Bass Setup
37:00 - The Fodera Era
40:23 - The Mattison Bass Era
46:33 - The F Bass Era
52:00 - Janek’s Approach to Soloing
01:05:02 - Soloist Influences
01:08:30 - Playing Multiple Instruments
01:13:40 - Northern Line (One Way Out)
01:15:33 - Soloing Continued
01:21:22- The Pedalboard
01:32:10 - Mystery to Me
01:44:22 - Night Watch
01:50:00 - Bass Books
01:57:08 - Janek’s Career as an Independent Artist
01:59:38 - The String Change Challenge
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[@k0brakai]

I LOVE Janek's sound... it's warm, round and so well defined at the same time.

[@timrobinson8717]

Would love to see how that sound stands in a live band mix

[@skineyemin4276]

It sounds just like every other fusiony bassist that plays a Fodera.

[@HIGHPOSTERtown]

Janek has transparently shared his bass journey so my imaginary bass career i live vicariously through him. 🤔😩😂🙌🏽

[@joshjamesuk]

That opening improvisation was truly incredible.

[@devinebass]

🔥🔥🔥

[@timbo7873]

If he improvised that, I'd assume it not available anywhere but here?

[@quintenzonneveld556]

⁠@@timbo7873 The song is ‘The Last Dance’ by Bob Reynolds, written by Janek…

[@bassimprovjams3772]

@@quintenzonneveld556what? Really? No way!!

[@bassimprovjams3772]

It’s genius! Seeing that he has a chase bliss pedal is so awesome!!

[@pissectomy5660]

it took less than a minute to realize i was listening to someone very special

[@bryanperez4505]

Janek’s playing is so soothing and inspirational.

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯 he's an incredible musician!

[@gregmoore2875]

Janek holds a special place in my heart on this musical journey! From the genesis of the inspirational #365 Day Vlog Challenge to "All The Good Stuff", an abundance of a blessing you've been in my life as a musician! Blessings to you and your family Janek! Thank you for the life lessons you've shared with us and more to come. #GoodMorningCoffeeDrinkers

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@mxmllrguitar]

Janek is a gift to the world!

[@patdavey7187]

I was on that summer school with YG. He can't have been more than 16. In his room he threw a real book on the bed and said "pick a tune" and he was playing tunes on the bass like a boss. X❤

[@joninawhitecoat]

I saw Janek in Nottingham three weeks ago and he was astonishing. The last musician I saw that had me that captivated was Allan Holdsworth. I've wanted to see Janek Gwizdala for years and have looked at travelling to the US to do it, and then he announces a gig 4 miles from my house!

[@devinebass]

That must have been a great gig/experience!!

[@CurranKevin]

This is a great part of the SBL ecology: serious long-form interviews with serious musicians. (And I love all the other stuff you guys do too of course!) Janek's experience and approach to the profession is really inspirational.

[@devinebass]

Cheers for that, glad you like this longer form content!!

[@matto9734]

I love seeing you guys together. Scott is so well prepared and "knows" Janek for so long + they both teach on YT but come from a totally different approach... and Janek is the one of a kind perfectionist and workhorse and he is doing amazing things with his "tools" in combination with his imagination... the Mattisson Bass is by far the most beautiful Bass I´ve seen + it sounds sooo great! And Scott - thank you for sharing this conversation with us!!! So many stories and valuable hints and thoughts from you both. 2:10 hours is really NOT too long ;-)

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I have watched the episode 4 times and Janek’s intro jam about 12 times

[@dorssberube]

So happy to see Janek at SBL

[@cheewaiyuen4237]

All of us knew that we waited for this like FOREVER and it finally happened!! Janek is the man !!!!!!!

[@iksajotien]

The man, the myth, the legend, Janek rocks, love his tone, his playing, his attitude towards music, great man.

[@geoffgascoyne63]

thanks for the mention Janek, best wishes, Geoff x

[@lauriebluesguy]

It's been a tough day (at work), doesnt seem so bad when you can come home and listen to these 2 great guys.

[@lionsdenblog]

Janek has become my absolute favorite soloist on bass guitar. His experimentation, techniques, musicality, his melodious voice on bass… it ALL just appeals to my ears and my heart as a bassist. I’m 62 now and haven’t seriously played in years, but he sounds like what I wanted to become as a performing bassist. I’ll keep listening to his podcast. It’s SICK!

[@kellyvibert7861]

My 2 favourite bass content providers chatting. Such a great watch. Janek's experience, history and people he did time with makes me shudder with amazement. Being in the same space as the player with The Roots blew my mind, just because I love them (hip hop as a genre was/is better because of them if you ask me) and never connected them to Janek.... I learnt more tonight than I have all year. Well done Scott for doing the video. Thank you both, absolutely wonderful 2 hours. ❤

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@mule71]

I love Janek’s playing! ❤

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@reueldaniel4995]

You should interview Chelsea next, his wife can play 🔥

[@AmilcarBaxo]

Hello coffe and drinks! The channel deserved an interview with Janek, who in addition to being a spectacular teacher is probably the most innovative and brilliant bassist of the 2010s so far.

[@panosskentzos]

Wow, it sounds as if Richard Bona did a duet album with Pat Metheny as equals, absolutely beautiful :)

[@RobVespa]

The opening 4 minutes brightened my day... not to type of the remainder of the video. Many thanks. What an amazing conversation. This has been such a treat. Much of what you discuss, which may be old hat/gospel for you and many players, is all new to me. It's so interesting. I feel like I've been missing out - and I'm having fun catching up. All the best.

[@ibassnote]

This is an entry point for a lot of music that I don't know anything about. I love this guy. He is a musicians musician. Never satisfied but so happy to be playing. His existence challenges so many things I hold dear. For example I started the video staring at the P-bass and by the end it looked like a backwards 1950's jalopy. He changes the way I think about modern music and the future.

[@ethanlocke3604]

Been waiting for this for months since he mentioned y’all recorded it!

[@SimonMSvensson]

Same! Was scared it wasn't going to come out

[@pablomcelio]

I learnt from Janek the creative discipline that implies really learn your instrument and music in general. I am not a working musician but this approach has been completly usefull in my work field (education) and in my life in general. So thanks Janek!

[@padureancalin8096]

The intro bro, I think I’ve listened it for about 2000 times Janek’s sooooooo creative, compostion sounds so sweeet man!!

[@AstromarineCorpse]

I have to say congrats. Even putting all the bass nerdery aside, just the flow of conversation, this was an *incredible* interview. Your chemistry was clear, great questions, amazing answers, you guys should have a podcast together basically. :D This was amazing to listen to. Well done

[@devinebass]

Thanks for that, glad you enjoyed it!!

[@joninawhitecoat]

There is an SBL podcast with Scott, Ian, and Janek done earlier this year (I think).

[@adityanemlekar]

I JUST finished watching the SBL Podcast with Janek! This is definitely my lucky day!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@thehater8389]

Janek is the reason that I pick up the bass after playing many years on drums and guitar and because of that I change my perspective on rhythm, melody and harmony. He's my hero ❤

[@devinebass]

😍😍😍

[@simonpetersonmusic]

FINALLY!!!! I´ve waited YEARS for this collab!🙏

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@brianwilliams196]

Wishing I had stumbled on Janek sooner. I love the interview, he’s so relatable and full of insight. Than you for all of your hard work bringing people like him to the channel and enriching the musical community with this long form content!

[@devinebass]

He's a monster, check out his podcast and his old vlog if you haven't already!

[@CambiodeRumbo]

Sooooo happy to see Janek here!!! Thanks Scott!!!

[@devinebass]

👍👍👍

[@oliplaysbass]

Love this interview. The 2 main channels I watch all the time. Been following Janek since ‘09

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@IgorOdaryuk]

Finally! Waiting for so long video with Janek, thanks for sharing

[@MatthewFearnley-ym3oy]

For me this is the most inspirational basstalk interview with two great players that make me want to puck up my bass everytime enough said

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@fender68able]

What an amazing interview!! Thanks Scott!!👍

[@oldmanpence4803]

3:50 in, and the mothership has taken off. What an amazing human and musician. Wow.

[@savedplayer]

I love Janeks playing I'm 18 and I was lucky enough to attend a clinic of his in London in Novemeber. He treated my like everyone else dispite my age he is an amazing man and musical my hero. Thank you for the interview.

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@JBKeyz88]

Two of my favorites in one room!!

[@drazen_musik]

What a great combo! Thank you for this interview ❤

[@devinebass]

Thanks for checking it out!!

[@leitnerjoe]

I can listen to this all day long. So much to learn. You rock!

[@_Olorin]

I'm a intermediate bass player and haven't recorded much or played much with headphones yet and hearing these monster professionals talk about how weird the bass and pitch feels through cans made me so happy. I thought I was crazy for having so much trouble liking my sound and distinguishing bass pitch with cans on and I feel much better about myself now. I can't believe this is the first time I hear people talk about this online.

[@riccardoboom3618]

One of the coolest performance I've ever seen! Majestic, very introverse deep sound, just incredible!

[@gianpaoloalfano9017]

Fantastic collaboration, so much to think about. Great work!

[@Jedmanuel91]

Thank you SBL! ❤

[@devinebass]

👍👍👍

[@TheKeseg]

What an incredible musician he is, so inspiring. Thank so much to SBL to give us content of this quality !!

[@mahdisharegh7220]

I've been waiting for this for a long time 😍

[@bassimprovjams3772]

This was so awesome! Thanks SBL for this!! Thanks Janek!!!

[@andrewgreen5986]

I played at The Gun in Croydon a good few times in the early 90’s. The promoter was a lovely man called Ron Carter. He was a jazz buff straight out of central casting with a voice like 200 Rothmans. He would put on rock bands during the week so he could indulge his passion for jazz on a Sunday lunchtime. Sadly the venue and the pub are long gone. Flats were built overlooking the venue and after that it was on borrowed time.

[@Bahimo3154]

This man is the reason that enhanced the consideration of practice regarding my instrument ❤

[@Keiseyhicban]

It’s the interview that I’ve been waiting for

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@LordEradicus]

Because I don't do gigs anymore and now have this terrible habit of never changing my bass strings unless they break, I realized I kind of had this nice warm sound with one of my PJ basses. Now if I only had Janek's pedalboard...🤔 😁

[@squidito2534]

Real quality conversation

[@christophercheney1006]

That was great! Janek is the man!

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@basshippy101]

I've not bought a bass book since I was a music student, the last being Standing In The Shadows of Motown. I was so invested and engrossed in that book, I studied it repeatedly for years, every word and line. I miss those days.

[@jandenijs7337]

big respect for Janek

[@gabzgroove3088]

Always loved his playing since day 1.

[@ChrisStreidt]

Amazing Interview - thanks so much! Janek is truely a master at changing string when at the same time he switched his watch without anyone noticing 😎 I am sure that watch gave him a speed boost!

[@LawrenceHaberMusic]

This is a fantastic interview. So much wisdom and incredible lessons. I’ve followed Janek for over a decade and his dedication is remarkable. Thanks for sharing this!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@thisisMRJAMES]

I take back my previous comment. Janek is a killer bass player and educator

[@leogallagher2736]

Such an awesome conversation 🙂 thank you SBL team and Janek!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@danconiglio]

This and the Mike League interview are so great! Wonderful to revisit the past and see how far they've both come. Thanks Scott!

[@gustavoreyesponcedeleon4412]

Love this! Keep up the good content both of you

[@k1ll8oi62]

I've never heard such sadder sounds come out of a bass before. 😍

[@alcantey]

Love this! 😎 Great job SBL!

[@devinebass]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it!!

[@pabloprimo250]

LOVED IT!!

[@BillRuelle]

Thank you!

[@BrentODell]

less than two minutes in, I'll go ahead and hit the Like button now.

[@oscarsantos2608]

Got to love Janek's vibe! So creative! 😊

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@florenttenryu5011]

So inspiring to follow this interview! I'm listening and playing, trying to mimic the flow of Janek, what a treat

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@ClearStreamsUK]

I've been waiting years to see the two of you talking! Well worth the wait!❤

[@devinebass]

Cheers, it was a pleasure to sit down with Janek like this!!

[@stanislawrybinski]

What an interview! Thanks, Scott!

[@devinebass]

👍👍👍

[@doubledecker1094]

I love Janek, and knew he would crush the string challenge!

[@alexaveevelasquez6099]

That was out of this world. best solo yet. very f******creative

[@melanieviau1356]

Excellent artist!!! Your exchange with each of your guests are so generous, I'm amazed every time. Just starting to lean music at age 47 and discovering such great artists thanks to you and all the references

[@kaplanyx]

Thanks for sharing this insights!

[@markhudson8656]

SO enjoyable! thoroughly enjoyed this for so any reasons. Such a great player but so humble and funny too!!!!

[@jeffs.1999]

Absolutely beautiful. One can easily get lost in the etherial journey of Janek's music. 🍄

[@devinebass]

He's an incredible musican!

[@PM-nc1km]

Enlightening interview !

[@jeanmicheldoge6807]

Thank u 4 the Great Interviews u made!!!

[@MrKermitt71]

Next I propos you to make a vido with Richard Bona. Or Linley marthe ;)

[@AlexandarShmex]

I'd love to see Linley Marthe, he's very underrated, but one of the best in the world.

[@richarddial6403]

i've never heard of this guy but man this was awesome! thank you both so much!

[@devinebass]

Glad you enjoyed it, check out Janek's music!!

[@sumeursault]

I know this is unrelated to this particular video. But as far as interviews, it'd be great to see an interview with Roscoe Beck while he's still with us. He played with greats like Robben Ford, and was MD for Leonard Cohen for a stretch. His signature Fender bass is also very highly regarded as one of the best signature models they produced (and just a great all around instrument). Cheers

[@rastapastrychief]

This is a true artist here, in Janek. That (first) solo is primitive/tribal feeling. Amazing timing and tone!

[@jonathonherrala3429]

Exactly what I hoped for, two colleagues talking about the little things with an audience in mind

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@JT-si6bl]

That’s beautiful! Everything!! And it makes total sense it sounds like a nylon string guitar… then a UFO engine! Stunning little journey he has made. Outrageous!

[@mksrxwd]

Great interview guys.

[@kennethgarcia25]

I really love Janek's playing in this introduction. Such an inspiration!!! Anyone suggest an album where his compositions and playing are like this!

[@houbice3]

Amazing episode 👍

[@SalvaROCK]

Muchas gracias. He fluido mucho con esta meditación. Abrazos para todos. Namaste

[@Tomijee]

Nice guitar indeed. One of the greatest intros, sipping some coffee and just enjoying that performance.

[@MarkMarxonsBassChannel]

Definite chemistry between these two 💯

[@preme6174]

I’m a bass player from Boston and I know the Wonder Bar! Too cool!

[@natemickens88]

I keep hearing a really faint woman's voice during Janek's rendition of what ever he is doing...Sounds amazing!!!!

[@davetay44]

That was awesome. Thank you Janek, thank you Scott.

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@markrobinson8410]

Absolutely a monster bassist

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks guys, great interview ! Yes Janek is a totally inspirational player. Love the idea for the The Giant Steps book (re: accessibility & levels). I was listening to this on headphones, so when Janek got his first trivia question right - I went to answer my front door - because the 'correct answer ding' is precisely like my doorbell ! Oh dear ! 😂

[@aidanriess4946]

Janek is a beast!

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯