Vanddi

Wanda "Vanddi" Zukowska pen name Wanda Żukowska is an award-winning composer-songwriter of several gold earned hit songs and pianist-stylist who plays her takes of classical, jazz, pop/rock, blues, boogie/swing, and stride in her unique style. She is a lifelong performing artist/keyboardist, teacher, music arranger, and producer-mentor for well-established artists.

In 2023 her long-time classic “Tylko mnie poproś do tańca” originally recorded in 1979 by Anna Jantar is making new fame with America’s Got Talent, Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer Sara James and Igor Herbut, performing also in concert at Sopot 2023 International Song Festival “Top of the Top”. The song is often referred to as the “iconic song” and was covered by many top artists e.g. Irena Jarocka “Dancing all night with a stranger”, Katarzyna Groniec, Krystian Ochman, and Justyna Steczkowska. Her song ”Gwiazda Nad Tobą” was the Sopot Intervision Song Contest 1978 winner in third place, and was awarded for the composition and her arrangement. Among her other songs “Forgive Me, Love Is Blind” / “Kochać Cię Nie Przestane” recorded by Krzysztof Krawczyk was the winner of the TV-viewers voting pool: with the english version “Forgive Me, Love Is Blind” reaching an international audience.

Wanda Zukowska wrote pop songs, art songs, music for TV shows and ballet, inspirational music, songs for children, and commercial-marketing music. Her music and her songs have been used in movies and for theater. Several of her songs were in the Top Ten pop charts in Poland, and several sold millions, won her Gold Records, title of Number One-Song of the Year, Song of the Month, Grand Prix nomination, Music Awards, and international popularity.

Wanda Zukowska is a lifelong member of ZAiKS (Stowarzyszenie Autorów i Kompozytorow in Poland)

Career

Wanda Zukowska has been writing music since seven-eight years old, the year she began receiving consistent and comprehensive musical education at Warsaw State Schools of Music where she earned her undergraduate diploma in the Theory of Music.

At the age of thirteen, she handed her first orchestral piece.

In her later teen years, she began writing songs and public performances. In 1975 she received her Master’s degree in Pedagogy from the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. Additional study included conducting and jazz band arrangement with Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski and a classical piano study with Maria Korecka. For her Master’s degree celebration concert Wanda composed and conducted the symphonic orchestra performing her original piece ”Droga Do Sagunto”/Road to Sagunto/; The quality of this piece was compared by professors and critics to the “compositions of Michel Legrand”. Being a pianist/accompanist on the roster of State Concert Agency /Stoleczna Estrada/, she received the highest category title-license of “Pianist Soloist,” given by the Ministry of Arts, which granted her the highest honorarium for stage performances. In 1979-1980 she toured as a pianist/keyboardist in a Big Band orchestra and with her trio sponsored by the Polish Artistic Agency “Pagart" In 1981 she received a medal and Special Recognition from the Ministry of Arts in Poland in honor of her Achievements in Music.

In 1986 Wanda was selected for one of only twelve spots as a participant in BMI’s Lehman Angel Musical Theater Workshop in New York for professional Broadway theater writers. For over two decades, using her married name Wanda LaBecki, she worked for Broadway theatre musicals in the NY area (Westco Production, The Hackley Performing Arts Productions) coaching, directing music, producing, and mentoring stage artists e.g.: The Music Man, A Chorus Line, Broadway Babes on Revue, Peter Pan, Guys & Dolls, Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, and producing/playing original shows: Pianothoughts, All Gershwin, With Song Around the World, and Abercrombie.

For over two decades now, she has been using her stage name “Vanddi” (a name derived from Wanda). She had been playing shows around the US, Canada, and Europe, including television appearances, concert tours alongside major artists, and concert performances of her original music, featuring her created live open-form improvisations and now performing small venue performances of her takes of well-known songs, jazz standards, and classical pieces in the program.

Top Songs | Music | Works By Year

2023 - "Tylko Mnie Popros Do Tanca," for Sara James and Igor Herbut - song chosen to represent Jablonki Festivals.

2021 - Krystian Ochman winner "Voice of Poland" sang "Tylko Mnie Popros Do Tanca".

2005 - "Dancing All Night with the Stranger," a new version of "Tylko Mnie Popros Do Tanca," for Irena Jarocka. In 2005, it was #2 on the New York Independent station Radio Rytm Top 40 International charts. More songs stayed on and/or climbed the charts for several months.

2001 - "Ty i ja to serca dwa" and "Nie chce znowu sama byc" songs commissioned for Irena Jarocka (lyrics written under the pen name Maria Maner).

2000 - "Dancing All Night with the Stranger," a new version of "Tylko Mnie Popros Do Tanca," for Irena Jarocka.

1999 - "Not Only Mozart" - CD, album design for violin solo, composed/arranged/recorded/produced by Vanddi featuring Yanni Live at the Acropolis "women in red" violinist Karen Briggs and Janice Martin on violin (and the N.Y. Virtual Symphony).

1998 - Commissioned marketing music for the LOT Airlines.

1998 - "Pianothoughts," a piano album published Vanddi c/o LaBecki Music, NY.

1993-1992 - Ballet music commissioned for Claudia Boettcher Theatre, NY.

1989-1983 - "Etude" for piano, small pieces for piano, and film music.

1982 - "Diptych" ("Iluzja Diptichu") for alto saxophone and jazz ensemble.

1981 - "Do Tańca" for Irena Jarocka written, produced, and score arrangement for the rock ensemble.

1979 - "Tylko Mnie Popros Do Tanca" for Anna Jantar Awarded at second place at the OiRTV in Finland International Tampere Song Competition (short only one point after additional voting for visual aspects of the song).

1979 - "Co Moje To Twoje," song composed/arranged/produced for national radio.

1978 - "Gwiazda Nad Toba" for Lidia Stanisławska. Nominated at first place at Sopot International Intervision Song Festival and Competition 1978, awarded at third place for song composition and her own full symphonic orchestra arrangement.

1978 - "Forgive Me, Love Is Blind" / "Kochac Cie Nie Przestane" for "Kristof" Krzysztof Krawczyk. First Place winner in TV Studio Gama viewers voting pool and "Songs of the Year," holding continuous popularity for several years.

1978 - "Nie Zatrzymoj Mnie Nianiu" and other music commissioned for Violetta Villas and for TV show, in collaboration with Agnieszka Osiecka.

1978 - "Prośba Przed Snem" for Anna Jantar. Award - recognition for artistic quality of the song.

1978 - "A Za Nami Będą Wiosny." Awarded first and third price, named Best Art-Song in competition Poznan 78.

1977 - "Obłoki Rozchyliła Gwiazda" for Z. Kocon and "Zupelnie Nowy Rok" for Anna Jantar, both long favorites on radio charts.

1976 - "Dwoje Ludzi z Marzeń" and "Kto Kocha Ten Wie" - Song of the Month, for Irena Santor.

1976 - "Serce Chore Na Miłość" for Irena Woznacka- Production, arrangement, and music for Polskie Nagrania.

1975 - "Komu Mogę Dać Mój Czas" recorded and arranged for Radio network and Irena Santor, several years remain on the Radio Stations charts.

1975 - "Nie Zabladze Przy Tobie" for Teresa Tutinas. Radio networks favorites.

1973 - "Nauczyles Mnie Radosci" for Teresa Tutinas.

1971-1977 - "Dobry To Czas" for children among the other songs commissioned by National Radio and songs for shows commissioned by State Concert Agency- Stoleczna Estrada.

1971 - "Kowalem Swego Szczęścia Każdy Bywa Sam," for Irena Santor, TOP TEN on Radio Stations chart.

1971 - "Gdy Nadejdzie Taki Czas" for Irena Santor. Song of the Year in Radio Stations Award. Gold Record sale.

1970 - "Nad Głęboką Woda" Song of the Month, for Irena Santor for several years remained on the Radio Stations Top charts.

1969 - "Łąka Bez Kwiatów" for Anna Jantar. Winner for music and arrangement- Fama 69 Festiwal Artystyczny Młodzieży Akademickiej w Świnoujściu.

History

Music Awards/Recognitions/Best known songs/Arranging/Producing

Several of her hits returned to the market re-recorded by new artists .“Dancing All Night with the Stranger” /a new version of “Tylko Mnie Popros Do Tanca,”/ In 2005 it was #2 on the New York Independent station Radio Rhythm /named: RadioRytm/ Top 40 international charts. More of her songs stayed on and\or climbed the charts for several months in 2004/2005.
“Not Only Mozart”- CD 2000, album design for violin solo, composed/arranged/recorded/produced by Vanddi (Karen Briggs and Janice Martin on violin and the New York Virtual Symphony.)
Commissioned marketing music for the LOT Airlines, 1998.
“Pianothoughts,” a piano album published; Vanddi c/o LaBecki Music, NY, 1998.
Several songs commissioned and composed for Irena Jarocka album, writing music and lyrics (for some lyrics using pen name Maria Maner), 2001.
Producing concerts, mentoring, providing live and recorded arrangements for Irena Jarocka. 1991-2010 US/Canada/Europe short tours.
Ballet music commissioned for Claudia Boettcher Theatre, NY, 1992 -1993.
Selected participant (receiving one of 12 spots) in BMI’s Musical Theater Workshop in NY for professional Broadway theater writers /based on her orchestral arrangements and her writing credits/1986/7.
Broadway shows performing/directing/coaching/producing artists and albums;1987-2001 N.Y.
European tours e.g. as a pianist in a Big Band orchestra, she was only female, and with her own trio, PAGART Concert Agency; 1979-1980.
Composing, producing, arranging song for a rock ensemble: “Do Tańca”/“For Dancing,” 1981.
Honored by medal presented by the Ministry of the Arts for achievements in the arts, Poland, January1981- special recognition award.
Wanda Zukowska, featured front page picture and interview and a song in January issue of sheet music magazine /“Spiewamy i Tanczymy,”/ 1979.
All-time hit (1978–2015), Number One Song at the International Music Competition and Festival in Tampere, 1978; nominated for Grand Prix, short only one point after additional voting for visual aspects of the song; “Tylko Mnie Popros Do Tanca” 1978.
Nominated GRAND PRIX at Sopot International Intervision Song Festival and Competition 1978; awarded two prizes at third place for song composition and her own full orchestra arrangement, “Gwiazda Nad Toba” /“The Star Above You.”/sung by Lidia Stanisławska.
First Place winner in TV Studio Gama viewers voting pool and “Songs of the Year,” holding continuous popularity for several years, “Forgive Me, Love Is Blind” -“Kochac Cie Nie Przestane”; 1978 sung by “Kristof”.
Long playing favorite on radio charts with “come back” in 2005—“Dwoje Ludzi z Marzeń.”
Radio networks favorites: “Nie Zabladze Przy Tobie” and “Nauczyłeś Mnie Radości”.
Song of the Month, which continued to be popular for a long time, “Kto Kocha Ten Wie”
Song composed/arranged/produced for national radio: “Co Moje To Twoje,” 1979.
Commissioned music for TV show, with Agnieszka Osiecka and performer Violetta Villas.
Long playing favorite on radio charts—“Obłoki Rozchyliła Gwiazda” (also an arrangement) and “Zupelnie Nowy Rok”
Production, arrangement, and music for PN LP, “Serce Chore Na Miłość.”
Two songs composed/arranged/produced for national radio; “Znów Nowy Dzień” & "To Miejsce Na Swiecie”
Grand Prix for Best Art-Song in competition Poznan,1978, “A Za Nami Będą Wiosny.”
Several songs for children commissioned by National Radio.
Stage show/music, commissioned by State Concert Agency /Stoleczna Estrada/,1972-1977.
Recording (also an arrangement) for Radio network; ”Komu Mogę Dać Mój Czas,” 1975- for several years remained on the Radio Stations charts.
Recognition Award for artistic quality of the song, “ Prośba Przed Snem” 1978.
TOP TEN on Radio Stations chart. Song has been popular for over decade: “Kowalem Swego Szczęścia Każdy Bywa Sam,” 1971-1986.
Song of the Year Radio Stations Award/Gold Record Sale, “Gdy Nadejdzie Taki Czas,” 1971.
Songs achieving long time radio play; ”Kto Kocha Ten Wie.”
Song of the Month, for several years remained on the Radio Stations Top charts, “Nad Głęboką Woda ,” 1970.
First Prize winner/ music and arrangement/ “Łąka Bez Kwiatów”; Fama 69.

Labels | Discography | Publishing

- MTJ - Irena Jarocka Moj Wielki Sen (2020)
- EMI Music / POMATON - DE-7444197 Anna Jantar, 2010
- 2-0017 Media Way -(Platinum Collection) Platynowa Kolekcja -Irena Jarocka 2006
- Paganini-LP, Irena Jarocka Koledy Bez Granic, 2004
- 1283-3 / WGB Music Farm -Vanddi Not Only Mozart - (2000)
- 57-612-2 Universal Music Polska -“Tylko Mnie Popros do Tanca”(2000).
- Wia-Art TVP S.A. 9188 Irena Jarocka (Moj Wielki Sen) 2001
- WGB/c/oLaBecki Music- 83022-2 - “Pianothoughts”- Vanddi,1998
- Sonic Records The Collection, Tylko Mnie Poproś Do Tańca, Anna Jantar - 1993
- Polskie Nagrania Muza SX 2873 The Best Of Anna Jantar 2 1990
- Gamma - Sheet music edition, “Kochac Cie Nie Przestane”, 1998
- PWM (Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne) Spiewamy i Tanczymy (Sheet Music Magazine) - 6/71.3/73,7/73,01/75,6/75,1/79,7/78,7/80.
- Synkopa; Sheet Music Magazine #56-1977, #39-1974, #57-1977, #37/1974
- Studio Bis - 4/1995 Hits in Sheet Music
- PN (Polskie Nagrania), LP 0643 Dla ciebie śpiewa Irena Santor
- PN, LP 0832 Z tobą na zawsze
- Pronit LP XL 0897 Sława Przybylska
- Muza PN, LP 1404 Irena Santor
- PRONIT, LP 1413 Irena Woźniacka
- PN, LP 1430 Nauczyłeś Mnie Radośći
- PRONIT, LP 1669 Irena Santor, Pronit
- Muza PN, LP 1697 Greatest Hits’78 (Przeboje78)
- PN, LP 1711 Gwiazda nad Tobą
- N-0688 Irena Santor
- MUZA PN, N-0700 - Kowalem swego szczęścia każdy bywa sam
- S-317 Witamy na Ursynowie - K .Krawczyk
- S-121 Anna Jantar
- S-146 Lidia Stanisławska
- SS-743 Lidia Stanisławska
- Muza PN, SKL 1046 - Jest Zamek, CD-266, NK-246
- 6865 Polskie Radio - 6827 Muza, Zupelnie Nowy Rok - A.Jantar
- Polskie Nagrania Muza SXL 0832. Nad Głęboką Wodą - Irena Santor - Z Tobą Na Zawsze, (1972)
- Pronit SXL 0897 1972 Między Nami Nic Nie Było - for Sława Przybylska
- Irena Santor - Kowalem Szczęścia Każdy Bywa Sam, Agencja Wydawnicza RSW R-0222-II 1974
- Polskie Nagrania Muza” Może Jeszcze To Naprawię” - Jolanta Kubicka - Za Miłością Idę (1976) SX1395
- Tonpress R-0793 “Komu Mogę Dać Swój Czas”, Irena Santor - 1977
- Polskie Nagrania Muza SX 1430 1977 “To Było W Lipcu”, Teresa Tutinas - “Nauczyłeś Mnie Radości”,
- Irena Woźniacka” - Irena Woźniacka Pronit SX 1413 (1977)
- Tonpress S-146 “Gwiazda Nad Tobą” - Lidia Stanisławska - 1978
- Tonpress S-121, S-122 “Tylko Mnie Poproś Do Tańca”,1978
- Pronit SX 2305 "Forgive Me, Love Is Blind” (“Kochać Cię Nie Przestanę”), Krystof - Don’t Leave Me,1979
- Polskie Nagrania Muza Gwiazda Nad Tobą Lidia Stanisławska - “Gwiazda Nad Tobą”, 1979
- “Kowalem Swego Szczęścia”, Santor* Kunicka* - Nagrania Dźwięku Na Pocztówkach Zapotoczny Kazimierz Daj Mi Słowo
- Stilon CL-092 “Kto Kocha Ten Wie” - Various - Rewia Rytmów Nr 1.
- Golden Hits/ Złote Przeboje Wifon NK-546, “Tylko Mnie Poproś Do Tańca”, Anna Jantar

References

The New York Times, March 10, 1991, Tarrytown concert, p. 20
Gazeta Montreal, May 12–18, 2000 p. 34
The Daily Gazette, March 20, 1995, Bill Rice
The Enterprise October 6, 1989 p. 23.
Encyclopedia of Authors and Composers/Slownik Autorow i Kopozytorow /ZAKR 1979.
Press release for Gannett Newspapers /mr.Ross Priel, Dom Cerulli /1991
The JAZZ WORLD -Dom Cerulli - Da capo press 1987
Petrus 2009 - “Anna Jantar” p. 83,66,289,294,261.
Grupa IMAGE -1995 Irena Santor ”Milo wspomnieć”,p. 195,193,192,197
Anna Jantar. “Wielka Dama”(EMI Music Pomaton, 2010) page 7,8,21,30,34,36.
https://archive.org/details/iuma-vanddi
Muzykorama / ”Na Przelaj”/ February 21, 1971
September 18, 1997 Nowy Dziennik p. 7
Discogs ww.discogs.com/artist/1642526-Wanda-Żukowska
New York Newspaper, November 26, 1997/ Dziennik Nowojorski / p. 15
“New Morning” p. 5, /Pace University, NY /Dr.Nicholas Catalano/ Parnassus production.
“Radar” March 1974 p. 19 RSW
Evidence Nr.34-81-01 of the Zasłużony Działacz Kultury badge, Warszawa 12 01 1981
Qualification #W-1339, 1779 Minister - Kultury i Sztuki /Ministry of Arts
“The Enterprise” November 27, 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wDPs-SYDxQ Irena Jarocka -Jestes Moja Piosenka.
http://paprocka.com.pl/artysci/artysci-znani-i-lubiani-od-lat/174-lidia-stanisawska
http://lidiastanislawska.com.pl/
http://culture.polishsite.us/articles/art385fr.htm
Zycie warszawy- April 14, 1972 p. 89
The New York Times, November 24, 1987 New Rochelle concert, p. 24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiIV0HA7zAw
Radio Rytm Charts /Notowania 2004-2005/

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