Drummer and composer, born in 1943 has recorded over 80 LP's with outstanding Polish and foreign musicians. He has played with Krzysztof Komeda Quintet, Zbigniew Namyslowski Quartet, Adam Makowicz-Tomasz Stanko Trio, Jan "Ptaszyn" Wroblewski Band, and Michal Urbaniak Group.
Bartkowski has also worked with Art Farmer, Aladar Pege, Ben Webster, and Clark Terry.
He has played the Newport Jazz Festival, Pori Jazz festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, The North Sea Jazz Festival, Berliner Jazz Tage, Molde Jazz Festival, The New York Jazz Festival, and has recorded with Michal Urbaniak for CBS, Columbia and Polydor.

Czesław Bartkowski endorses PAISTE cymbals and OSCA sticks.