Jacek Kawalec to leave Budka Suflera following parody controversy

Jacek Kawalec is departing from the Polish band Budka Suflera following a controversy involving an archival recording in which he parodied disco polo star Zenon Martyniuk. The band's leader, Tomasz Zeliszewski, issued an apology to Martyniuk, prompting Kawalec to resign in protest against what he described as the censorship of artistic expression.

Kawalec will fulfill his remaining contractual obligations, including upcoming performances in Warsaw on September 12 and Vilnius, Lithuania, on September 19. While the band has not officially named a successor, reports suggest Krzysztof Wałecki may unofficially step in to fill the role. Irena Michalska is currently handling lead vocals for the band's upcoming album, ‘Judyta’.

In an effort to resolve the tension, Kawalec has made several public gestures toward Martyniuk. Following an apology on a television program, Kawalec performed a modified version of the Budka Suflera hit ‘Jolka, Jolka pamiętasz’ during a Radio ZET appearance to express his regret and attempt to reconcile with the singer.