Singer-songwriter Monika Lidke
"Fresh and individual" - Jazz FM
Monika Lidke is a singer-songwriter of Polish origin, currently living in London. She creates exciting and original music that truly connects with the audience. Her songs blend jazz, folk and Latin grooves with Polish and French roots to create a mesmerising live show. After some time spent in Paris, Monika moved to London in 2005, and her debut album, “Waking up to Beauty” was released in 2008. Here’s how the famous radio presenter Marek Niedzwiecki (National Radio 3 in Poland) describes Monika’s music: ”Beautiful, delicate, addictive. I can’t get this music out of my head. It’s so good. My sincere congratulations Monika, I am a big fan of yours.”
Monika’s second album “If I was to describe you” was an opportunity for the artist to collaborate with two outstanding guests: Basia Trzetrzelewska (vocals) and Janek Gwizdala (bass guitar) and her band went on to play a show at the Polish Radio House Agnieszka Osiecka Studio. They have performed at numerous well known jazz clubs (Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Jazz Club) and festivals: London Jazz Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, Jazzahead, Rhythms of the World Festival. Monika is often invited on TV and radio shows and her music is described as a very intimate affirmation of life with soothing and healing qualities. Marek Niedzwiecki has put two of her songs on the Smooth Jazz Café Compilation CDs Vol. 10, 13 and 17.
In 2017 Monika Lidke released her third album "Gdyby kazdy z nas" on the American label Dot Time Records. It is her first ever project exclusively in Polish, her native language. In this love-letter to her mother tongue, Monika takes us on a journey, having created sublime musical arrangements to the poems of contemporary Polish poet – Andrzej Ballo. Performed by Poland’s best jazz musicians and the singer’s UK based band, the depth and the ever-changing moods of the lyrics allowed Monika to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. The album, featuring Dorota Miśkiewicz, Anna Jurksztowicz, Krzysztof Napiórkowski, Marek Napiórkowski, Michał Tokaj and Łukasz Żyta - has gathered fantastic reviews in Poland.
October 2020 welcomes “Let the world be a question” - a lovingly crafted 4th album of original songs in English and Polish featuring an impressive ensemble of musicians who regularly work with Monika, including Vadomaya Collective (Poland) and Alle Choir London. Always looking for new exciting collaborations, Monika also teamed up with talented producers Wulfnote and Happy Cat Jay to create three stunning remixes for this release.
A keen collaborator, Monika often performs with bass player Shez Raja, co-writes songs with international composers, poets and lyricists and is currently recording an album with strings. Her soft, melodic tunes are played on radios worldwide and she is happy to have introduced many new listeners to jazz music.