Wojciech ‘Sęp’ Dudziński, voice of sea shanties, dies

28 February 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Wojciech “Sęp” Dudziński, founding singer of the iconic Polish shanty band Ryczące dwudziestki, has died aged 60. His passing marks the end of an era for Poland’s maritime music scene; funeral in Bytom on 4 March.

Wojciech “Sęp” Dudziński, the unmistakable voice behind decades of Polish sea shanty revival, has died at the age of 60. The founder and long-time lead singer of Ryczące dwudziestki, he had battled a long illness; the funeral ceremony is scheduled for 4 March at 12:00 in Bytom.

Table of Contents

A voice of Polish sea shanties

Dudziński co-founded Ryczące dwudziestki and fronted the group for nearly four decades, helping to popularise maritime folk music beyond Poland’s Baltic coast. Though Poland’s coastline is relatively short, a strong shanty and sea-song tradition has taken root across the country through festivals, maritime museums and folk clubs. Dudziński’s gravelly baritone became a touchstone for listeners and fellow musicians alike; his renditions of traditional and adapted shanties helped bridge working-class maritime culture and urban audiences.

Why his passing matters

For expats and residents alike, Dudziński’s death is significant because it touches on how Polish cultural memory is kept alive: through regional bands, community gatherings and annual festivals. Ryczące dwudziestki were not only performers but custodians of a living oral tradition — songs learned by ear and passed between dockworkers, sailors and later enthusiasts. Their concerts and recordings offered an accessible entry point into Polish folk culture for non-Polish speakers interested in the country’s maritime heritage.

Funeral arrangements and local context

The ceremony will take place on 4 March at 12:00 in Bytom. Bytom is an industrial city in the Silesian region (near Katowice), historically linked to mining rather than seafaring, which underlines how shanty culture in Poland has spread inland. The original report notes Dudziński’s prolonged illness but provides no further medical details; family statements are expected closer to the funeral. If you plan to attend, check local notices from the band or municipal sources for any updates on the venue or memorial gatherings.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland, musical groups like Ryczące dwudziestki often act as community anchors, organising concerts, workshops and local festivals that welcome newcomers. Bytom is in the Silesian Voivodeship — an industrial, inland city about 40 km from Katowice — so don’t assume maritime geography when looking for events tied to shanty culture. If you are an expat wishing to pay respects: funerals are typically publicised locally, and it’s customary to offer condolences to the family or the band. The nickname “Sęp” means “vulture” in Polish and was Dudziński’s stage name — nicknames are common in Polish music scenes and are used affectionately. If you plan to attend the funeral on 4 March, check directly with organisers for parking, accessibility or language accommodations.

Source: Read original article