Jan Borysewicz

Sound

Jan Józef Borysewicz (born 17 April 1955) is a Polish rock musician, renowned as the co-founder, guitarist, composer, and leader of the band Lady Pank, one of the most successful acts in Polish rock history.

Born in the Sępolno district of Wrocław, Lower Silesia, Poland, Borysewicz grew up under the influence of his father’s amateur jazz drumming and began learning guitar at a local cultural centre during his teenage years. At the age of 15 he started playing professionally, initially with the ensemble Katia & Roman; by the age of 17 he had caught the attention of local musician Jacek Baran of the group Nurt. In the 1970s he worked as a session guitarist for prominent Polish artists, including Izabela Trojanowska and the band Budka Suflera, honing his skills as a self-taught virtuoso.

In the spring of 1981 Borysewicz co-founded Lady Pank in Wrocław with lyricist Andrzej Mogielnicki. The band’s name was inspired by their debut single “Mała Lady Punk,” recorded that same year. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1983, featured hits such as “Autobiografia” and “Kryzysowa narzeczona” and propelled them to national fame during Poland’s martial-law era. Borysewicz composed nearly all of the band’s material, blending rock, punk and pop elements. Over the following decades Lady Pank sold millions of records, toured extensively in Poland, Europe and the United States, and played landmark concerts, including their 1986 show at Wrocław’s Olympic Stadium.

Beyond Lady Pank, Borysewicz has pursued solo projects and collaborations, notably the 2003 album “Borysewicz & Kukiz” with singer Paweł Kukiz, as well as compositional work for film and television (including the 2002 film “E=mc²”). His contributions to Polish music earned early recognition from international figures such as blues legend Alexis Korner. In 2025 a Netflix biographical film about his life and the rise of Lady Pank entered production, directed by Kristoffer Rus. Borysewicz remains an active performer and an icon of Polish rock, known for his distinctive guitar style and his use of Fender instruments with Marshall amplification.