Robert Janowski – what a beautiful melody

Singer, composer, poet, actor, TV presenter, radio journalist, and by education a veterinarian. Watched and loved by millions of Poles in the program Jaka to melodia?. Not everyone knows, however, that he is also the author of many original melodies. So—does he sing as well as he hosts the famous TV show?

Robert Janowski – age

Robert Janowski, born on March 22, 1961 (63 years old) in Inowrocław, showed an interest in art and music from an early age. His childhood and youth were connected with various forms of education, but it was his love for music that became the key element of his future.

In the book Przypadki. Robert Janowski, jakiego nie znacie, in an honest conversation with Maria Szabłowska, he admitted that he had dreamed of attending a theatre school but chose veterinary studies because he wanted to heal animals with music. Fortunately for music lovers—perhaps less so for sick animals—he changed direction and decided to devote himself to music.

Art accompanied him from a young age. His mother worked as a director of theatrical and poetic performances in cultural institutions. As a teenager, Janowski was already involved in artistic activities—he created school ceremonies and cabaret performances, wrote scripts and poems. He also studied piano at a first- and second-degree music school. Although he later pursued veterinary studies, he ultimately returned to music.

Robert Janowski – music

His first serious contact with music came in the 1980s, when he collaborated with various rock bands, including Sekcja Z, Zoo, Exodus, and Oddział Zamknięty. Although their music differed from what he later performed, this period undeniably shaped his future. After all, nothing teaches better than experience.

Janowski did not limit himself to performing with bands. In 1983, he composed music for the rock musical Kompot by Jonasz Kofta and Bene Rychter, in which he also played the leading role. He must have enjoyed the experience, as he continued performing in musicals in later years. He also worked beyond musicals—he spent three years as an actor at the Dramatic Theatre in Warsaw and collaborated with theatres such as Rozmaitości, Rampa, and Ateneum. He also has eleven film roles to his credit.

Robert Janowski – music albums

After years of gaining musical experience, Janowski finally decided to create his own album. In 1994, he released his debut Co mogę dać?, which included sixteen tracks. One of them, Mury Jerycha, was particularly appreciated by listeners and remained at the top of the Muzyczna Jedynka chart for eight months.

Listeners received another gift at the turn of 1995 and 1996, when his second album Powietrze was released on December 31, 1995. It featured twelve tracks and was promoted by the title song. His next album, Nieważkość, came out in 2001.

Although his earlier projects were already of high quality, his most well-known album appeared in 2009. It consists of twelve songs—hits from the interwar period by artists such as Aleksander Żabczyński, Eugeniusz Bodo, and Hanka Ordonówna. The album was a major success and achieved platinum status.

Janowski commented on the album for Onet.pl:
“My dream was to record an album with these songs accompanied by an orchestra and with a modern arrangement.”
His love for interwar music is clearly audible in these recordings—and that passion translated into success.

Robert Janowski – discography

• Co mogę dać? (1994 rok)
• Powietrze (1995 rok)
• Nieważkość (2001 rok)
• Song.pl (2009 rok)
• Kolędy (2010 rok)
• Osiemdziesiąte.pl (2012 rok)
• Najpiękniejsze melodie (2018 rok)

Robert Janowski – Jaka to melodia

It is impossible to talk about Robert Janowski without mentioning his role as the host of Jaka to melodia?. The show debuted in 1997, and from the very beginning, Janowski was its presenter. It became an iconic program watched by millions of Poles every year.

It’s hard to imagine that success without him. He demonstrated extensive musical knowledge and had a sharp sense of humor. He was recognized with Telekamery awards in 2000, 2003, and 2008, and received the Golden Telekamera in 2009. And that’s just part of his long list of achievements.

In 2018, Janowski left the show. Norbi took his place, but viewers widely agreed that he did not match his predecessor. Rafał Brzozowski later stepped in, but he also failed to win over audiences. The solution turned out to be obvious—Janowski returned to the program in 2024.

Robert Janowski – trivia

• He worked in radio, hosting programs such as Wasza muzyka, Muzyka mojego życia, Weekend z gwiazdą, and Złota dwudziestka Radia Złote Przeboje
• He has written and published three books: Muzyka mojego życia, Przypadki. Robert Janowski, jakiego nie znacie (with Maria Szabłowska), and Wielcy muzycy. He has also authored several volumes of poetry and prose
• His role as the host of Jaka to melodia? came from a spontaneous invitation rather than a conscious career choice. Initially unsure about the format, he accepted—and it brought him immense popularity
• In his youth, he was a fan of bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, though his musical tastes later evolved
• In 2008, he participated in the seventh edition of Taniec z gwiazdami
• In 2017, he served as a juror in the national finals for the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest
• In 2011, he ranked first on the list of the most profitable TV celebrities, compiled by PanMedia Western based on advertising revenue

Opisał: Paweł Skarzyński
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