Jerzy Litkowiec

Jurek Litkowiec unleashes lead, solo, and rhythm guitar for The One Ahead. He is widely known for his powerhouse guitar riffs and electrifying, high-energy solos.

In the form of questions and answers, we present the person Jurka and reveal some interesting information about her musical dreams and experiences.

How did you start your adventure with music and guitar?

Bald. My friend has this nickname. His guitar skills fascinated me and truly inspired… His guitar was magnetic not only for girls… so I wanted to play 😉

Do you remember your first guitar?

I remember it very well – every detail – I made it almost on my own.

What was your first real guitar, and which of your current collections do you play most often?

First professional guitar which made a big impression on me was Fender Stratocaster in american version. Possibility to choose different sounds and ease of playing gave me incredible fun and was an impulse to create my own musical impressions.

Which guitar brand sound is closest to you?

Sound of every guitar I tested was unique even in area of single brand, because you have different tone of mexican version of Fender Stratocaster, and different for american version (this one suited me best). At the other extreme of the instruments with great sounds is of course Gibson Les Paul. It has very deep, warm sound. Also guitars of other brands like Ibanez Artist from the 80s and also korean PRS sounds different but in this difference truly beautiful. It is really hard to tell what sound is perfect. It depends on music genre, comfort of playing and emotions which you want to pass. However, ultimately, I would head towards “Fender” ones.

How has your view on music and its performers changed over the years?

First of all, from passive music consumer I have come a long and hard way to be able to be part of music, beginning of it’s idea, of it’s sound. I am still faithful to my old preferences – good music has no age, it doesn’t get old. My inspiration could be everything… maybe except a disco polo.

What drives you to create constantly new melodies?

It is hard to shortly and clearly answer to that one. Sound, rhythm, emotions.. I am mostly into blues, jazz and related to that (it’s all about a feeling – groove) and I want to include it in our creations.  And about creating a melody – there is no strict pattern for this… sometimes it just comes to you itself, asks for your  time and attention and sometimes it’s just coded in few sounds, emotions and rhythm…

What do you like most about playing concerts?

I guess it is unique in details – one and only in time and space.

Do you remember any slip-up or funny situation at the concert?

Of course. Amplifier stopped working in a middle of a song, suddenly disconnected cable or thing such as broken string… these are traumatic experiences and it really requires reflex and brilliance – not only from the victim of fate – but from whole band to make it right.

What was the most pleasant for you while recording in the studio?

Temperature – in every possible sense. When we recorded an album in summer it was very hot. Additionally we included high temperature of positive emotions and it all combined was really nice and warm feeling.

Why did you decide to participate in this project?

I like to play, especially when I have a good company.  In the beginning, three of us was having fun in our common playing – really. So we repeated results of this. Then we started to introduce some improvements and corrections. In the meantime we had some fresh ideas and also new people were joining our crew. All the ideas just couldn’t fit in almost few songs…

What is your biggest dream about music?

Blues creation made up only with solo pieces of composition.

What from your point of view connects you and what divides you?

We share passion for a music, sympathy and patience we have for each other… Also we just have fun of doing our thing together and we like how it sounds. 
Our age divide us a little, it looks like I am senior in our crew…  Each one of us has favourite music genre, level of artistic sensitivity and so on… However things which unite us outweigh our differences. Thanks to that we can develop our crew.

What is your favorite song from your album?

For me it’s Fire, although Freedman also speaks to me.

What makes you like this song the most?

He’s fiery. Very energetic, dynamic and a lot of fun playing. Sparkles on the record.