VAN

Van Lineup:

BarbaraZielenska - Keyboards

Tylda Ciolkoaz - Voacals and Violin

Pawel Szczubial - Guitar

Adam harris - Bass

Barbara Zielinska-Van developed her fascination with music at a very young age. She first attended afternoon music classes, then she was accepted to Primary Music School. Her major instrument became the piano - she still remains faithful to it. After a break caused by her ilness, Barbara was accepted to the Academy of Music in Katowice.

She first started composing for the piano in the early eigthies. As she now became interested in jazz, her compositions were written in jazz vein.

In 1983 Barbara took part in jazz workshops held at the fabled Varsovian Stodola and in Chodziez. Although back then she based per performances on jazz standards, she managed to skillfully introduce her own ideas and compositions as well.

Barbara's first major success was the invitation to study at the Berklee College in Boston. Her compositional skills evolved as well, leading her to explore the areas of contemporary music and electronic music. The latter was now becoming her second passion.

The artist's main goal was to found her own recording studio, where she could freely work on her ideas. In 1993 she opened the "Diaton" studio- its name was soon changed to "B&T Records". The studio still functions under this name and so far has witnessed many artistic inspirations.

After the still ongoing fascination with Keith Jarret, Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, time came for Vangelis, Tangerine Dream and J. M. Jarre. Together with Wenancjusz Ochmann Barbara recorded her debut electronic material entitled "Wizje". A few of her compositions were featured on the "El Pop Laid Back" compilation CD (Paris Music). Finally, new material entitled "Business Woman" was released on Paris Music as well.

The music featured on both releases was intended for the use in media. Barbara's compositions are still being used in many TV shows, including the Polish version of "the Dating Game", "Ktokolwiek Widział Ktokolwiek Wie...", wildlife films and documentaries. They're also often aired on various radio stations.

In 2002 Barbara recorded her first solo project entitled "Secret Garden". The compositions from te album made it to radio playlists in many countries abroad. In the same year, together with Lukasz Pawlak, the artist released a project for Requiem Records, entitled "Nostalgia i Nadzieja".

Barbara has been presenting her contemporary work during the yearly Synesthese festival in Bourges, France. So far three compositions were performed: "5 Minut", "Antigravity 6" and "Tibet Bells".

In 2003, together with Sabina Borner, Barbara released the debut Van & Borner album, entitled "Miracles". The album featured guest performances by Marek Gorlitz (guitar),Darek Budkiewicz (bass guitar) and Jolanta Literska (vocals) and its premiere took place during the Electronic Music Fairs in Langenfeld, Germany. "Shadow Dancing", the opening song from the album, was featured on the compilation CD released by the British "Sequences" magazine.

The album was acclaimed by both Polish and foreign audiences. The song "Walking In Clouds" was suited with a video clip.

The first live performance of songs from "Miracles" took place during the ZEF-Reaktywacja festival in Pisz.

The demand for electronic music kept on growing and so did the demand for Van's live performances. The most important shows at that time took place at the Ten Ta To Gallery in Katowice, the Spodek hall in Katowice (during the Wagary festival, alongside T. Love, Myslovitz and Big Cyc), the Wiosna Gliwicka festival, the Music and Show festival in Warsaw, El-Izerie, the Korez Theatre, the Szuster Palace in Warsaw, etc.

In 2004 Barbara took part in a charity event for Polish Red Cross, auctioning photographs by actress Krystyna Janda.

While touring continuously, Barbara kept on composing for Paris Music and for her band Van, now invited to take part in the "Baja Prog" festival in Mexico, alongside Carl Palmer (ELP), Caravan, Taal, Ashtar, Aural, Tryo, Eclat, Tripod and Ozric Tentacles.

The British "Sequences" magazine for the third time in the row released one of Barbara's compositions on its compilation CD. This time it was "Tibet Bells", a piece composed for the Synesthese festival in Bourges.

After returning from the tour, Barbara began working on the new single. She's now preparing material for the new album, "Gate", that will be released in the spring of 2006.