ABOUT ME

BIO

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Stefan Kotlarz is a guitarist, composer and educator from Woking, Surrey. With an inventive and harmonically sophisticated style, Stefan references a range of musical influences including Peter Bernstein, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Kenny Wheeler, Pat Metheny and John Scofield. 

 

Stefan has a residency at Guildford jazz bar Growlers & Cans where he hosts the monthly Sunday afternoon jazz jam. He has performed alongside notable musicians such as Jim Mullen and Roger Beaujolais and played at a number of notable venues over the past few years as a part of various different groups, including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express (The Pheasantry), Union Chapel and The Isle of Wight Festival. 

 

Stefan has just released his debut album as leader of 'Stefan Kotlarz Quintet'. Comprised of 6 original tunes, the album is a showcase of his compositional voice and features a highly adept and musically sensitive band made up of long time collaborators Emil Stewart Nerona(Sax), Jack Noke (Piano), Spud Smith(Bass) and Simon Whittaker(Drums). The Album was recorded at Masterlink Studios in Send in October 2025, and released in May 2026.