Tomasz Stanisław Skupień

Place: Zakopane

Born: 1955

Death: 2005

Biography:

Tomasz Stanisław Skupień was a Polish musician, dudziarz, skrzypek, and instrument builder. He was born on February 16, 1955, in Zakopane, Poland. Skupień was raised in the Podhale region, where he was exposed to traditional folk music from an early age. Despite not having a musical background in his family, Skupień developed a passion for playing the duda (a type of bagpipe) and other traditional instruments. He began taking lessons from Józef Galica-Baca, a renowned dudziarz, at the age of 16. Skupień's dedication to preserving and promoting Podhale's musical heritage led him to become one of the most respected dudziarze in Poland. He was known for his unique playing style, which blended traditional techniques with modern innovations. In addition to his performances, Skupień also built and repaired instruments, including dudy, skrzypce, and other folk instruments. His work helped to revive interest in Podhale's musical traditions and inspired a new generation of musicians. Tomasz Skupień passed away on January 17, 2005, but his legacy continues to be celebrated through his music and the many artists he influenced.