1992-1995 Bractwo Ubogich

Bractwo Ubogich was active from 1992 to 1995. It was one of the first Polish bands performing traditional, non-stylized rural music.

Young musicians, inspired by the work of Teatr Węgajty, the Music of Borderlands Foundation, and the collections of Professor Andrzej Bieńkowski, decided to personally visit rural musicians. Their first experiences and recordings were collected in Roztocze, later in Radomsko, Lublin, Rzeszów, and the Kurpie region. They also used collections from the Folk Music Archive of the Institute of Art, Polish Academy of Sciences, and the writings of Oskar Kolberg. The band’s repertoire included dance music, lyrical songs, ballads, ceremonial and religious songs.

Bractwo Ubogich recorded a session for Polish Radio (unreleased) and performed in many cities in Poland, as well as in Lithuania, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Wales, later also in Morocco, Germany, Russia, Estonia, and Ukraine. In 1995, some members of Bractwo founded Poland’s first “House of Dance” in Warsaw, conducting field documentation as well as educational and promotional activities in the city.

After the group disbanded, its members created some of the most important formations in the Polish traditional and folk music scene, including: Kapela Brodów, Janusz Prusinowski Trio, Muzykanci, Lautari, Kapela Hałasów, Wędrowiec, Pies Szczeka, Monodia Polska, the Houses of Dance in Warsaw and Poznań, and solo music and theater projects.

Band members:

Agata Harz (vocals) https://www.facebook.com/agata.harz/?locale=pl_PL

Anna Broda Kowalska (vocals, cimbalom) https://www.facebook.com/BrodaAnia?locale=pl_PL

Alicja Choromańska-Hałas (bass) https://halasart.pl/alicja/

Jacek Hałas (accordion, vocals) https://halasart.pl/jacek/

Remigiusz Mazur-Hanaj (frame drum) https://www.facebook.com/remek.mazurhanaj?locale=pl_PL

Witek Broda (violin) https://www.muzykaodnaleziona.pl/broda-witold/

Adam Strug (vocals) https://www.facebook.com/AdamStrug?locale=pl_PL

Janusz Prusinowski (violin, vocals) https://www.facebook.com/prusinowskitrio?locale=pl_PL