Edyta Gorniak ranks among the foremost figures in Polish music. A 1989 television talent competition brought her to public attention, after which she launched her professional path in 1990 as a stage performer. Appearances at leading Warsaw venues such as Metro and Brel defined those early years, until she departed the circuit in 1994 to enter the pop arena. That same year she traveled to Dublin, Ireland, as Poland’s entrant in the Eurovision Song Contest, where her delivery of “To Nie Ja” (That’s Not Me) earned second place. The result generated substantial interest both domestically and abroad, opening the door to her first album, Dotyk, released in 1995. The record featured the tracks “To Nie Ja,” “Dotyk,” and “Jestem Kobieta” (I’m a Woman) and arrived to considerable acclaim across Poland. She also appeared at the Sopot Music Festival and contributed to the soundtrack of the Walt Disney animated feature Pocahontas. In 1996 she received the top prizes for Best Film Clip and Best Debut at the Fryderyk Music Awards, named after composer Fryderyk Chopin. Her voice further appeared on the song “Walc Embarras” from Irena Santor’s album Duety (Duets). Turning toward international audiences, she prepared an English-language album, an uncommon step for major Polish artists of the period. Christopher Neil produced the self-titled collection, issued at the close of 1997 and containing “When You Come Back to Me” and “Miles and Miles Away.” A later edition added the duet “Hope For Us” with José Carreras. In the ensuing years she performed extensively at concerts, festivals, and charity events. The 1999 release Edyta Gorniak Live ’99 gathered many of her most recognized songs to date.
