Dżem
Legendary Polish blues-rock band from Tychy (1973–), fronted for 21 years by Ryszard Riedel and today by his son Sebastian Riedel.
Musical Influence
Dżem is considered the very bedrock of Polish blues-rock, and Ryszard Riedel's voice and fate have inspired generations of Polish vocalists to sing the blues in their own mother tongue rather than imitating American models (Source: pl.wikipedia.org). The band's 50-year history — with the founder's own son now carrying the legacy forward — makes Dżem a living link between the birth of Polish blues-rock in the 1970s and today's scene, and a direct inspiration for younger bands that Sebastian Riedel himself has helped shape through Cree.
Family and personal life
Son of founding vocalist Ryszard Riedel; himself became Dżem's vocalist in January 2024, 30 years after his father's death (Source: tvn24.pl; pap.pl).
Formative experiences
- •1980: Dżem debuted at the Jarocin Festival and placed third, regarded as the band's national breakthrough (Source: pl.wikipedia.org).
- •30 July 1994: Ryszard Riedel died of heart failure at age 41 — a turning point in the band's history (Source: pl.wikipedia.org).
- •January 2024: Sebastian Riedel, Ryszard's son, became the new vocalist after Maciej Balcar's over 20-year tenure (Source: tvn24.pl; pap.pl).
Stories & Anecdotes
""Whisky" from the debut album "Cegła" (1985) tells the story of an alcoholic named Billy and has since been called an unofficial hymn of Poland's hippie movement (Source: pl.wikipedia.org)."
""Sen o Victorii" (1991), music by guitarist Paweł Berger and lyrics by Ryszard Riedel, is still sung by the audience at every concert as a hymn to freedom (Source: pl.wikipedia.org)."
Collaborators
Guest artist on the album "Numero Uno" (1988), one of the founding figures of Polish blues-rock.
Watch & Listen
Dżem - Sen o Victorii
Dżem
Watch & Listen
Discography
| Year | Title | Producer | Studio | Label | Chart | Sales | Musicians | YouTube | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Cegła | — | — | Polskie Nagrania "Muza" | — | — | — | Debut album, over 115,000 copies sold. Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 1987 | Zemsta nietoperzy | — | — | Polskie Nagrania "Muza" | — | — | — | Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 1988 | Numero Uno | — | — | Polskie Nagrania "Muza" | — | — | — | Featuring guest Tadeusz Nalepa. Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 1989 | Najemnik | — | — | Polskie Nagrania "Muza" | — | — | — | Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 1991 | Detox | — | — | Polskie Nagrania "Muza" | — | — | — | Contains "Sen o Victorii". Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 1993 | Autsajder | — | — | Asta | — | — | — | Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 1995 | Kilka zdartych płyt | — | — | Asta | — | — | — | First album with Jacek Dewódzki on vocals. Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 1997 | Pod wiatr | — | — | Asta | — | — | — | Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 2000 | Być albo mieć | — | — | Asta | — | — | — | Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 2004 | 2004 | — | — | Pomaton EMI | — | — | — | First studio album with Maciej Balcar on vocals. Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 2010 | Muza | — | — | Pomaton EMI | — | — | — | Platinum certified. Source: pl.wikipedia.org. | |
| 2026 | Sobie potrzebni | — | — | Independent | — | — | — | First album with Sebastian Riedel on vocals. Source: dzem.com.pl. |
Famous songs
Awards & Recognition
External links
Booking / Contact
Manager Leszek Martinek (+48 603 662 726, manager@dzem.com.pl). Generell kontakt: ul. Sienkiewicza 45/6, 40-039 Katowice (Kilde: dzem.com.pl).
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