Bands

Akimbo is a large ensemble founded in 2022 by guitarist and composer Paweł Mańka, built around the members of the Fryderyk-nominated Semiotic Quintet. The group merges adventurous composition, expressive improvisation, and live electronics to explore hybrid musical forms such as conduction (directed group improvisation), algorithmic synthesis, and game pieces—structured improvisations that evolve within a set of rules.

Inspired by Nietzsche’s Apollonian-Dionysian tension, Akimbo embraces contrast, spontaneity, and formal complexity. The ensemble’s name, drawn from Middle English and referencing a poised, assertive stance, symbolizes its bold interplay of opposing forces. With influences ranging from Rothko’s color fields and Lutosławski’s layered textures to the chance-driven approaches of John Cage, Akimbo creates a dynamic, richly textured sonic narrative that is as structured as it is unpredictable.

Paweł Mańka – guitar, drone guitar, live electronics, conduction, compositions
Marta Wajdzik – soprano saxophone
Maciej Kądziela – alto saxophone
Mateusz Śliwa – tenor saxophone
Franciszek Raczkowski – piano
Piotr Narajowski – double bass
Grzegorz Pałka – drums

Blu/Bry is a dynamic quintet formed in 2021, quickly establishing itself on the European jazz scene with a sound influenced by artists such as Walter Smith III, Tigran Hamasyan, Avishai Cohen, and Tomasz Stańko. Since its inception, the band has performed extensively and gained recognition at prestigious competitions and festivals, including Jazz nad Odrą, Enter Enea Festival, Blue Note Poznań Competition, Junior Jazz Festival, and Jazz Kracamera. They are the proud recipients of the Grand Prix at notable events such as Jazz Juniors and Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa, and were named “New Hope of the Year” in the JazzTop 2024 ranking.

In 2023, Blu/Bry released their debut album, Blubry, followed by Ejber in early 2025, a collaboration with Polish Radio. The members of the band have honed their craft at esteemed institutions such as the Danish National Academy of Music and Berklee College of Music in Boston, and continue to seek new artistic experiences and sources of inspiration.

Jan Kusz – tenor saxophone
Tomasz Kusz – trumpet
Jakub Letkiewicz – piano
Franciszek Wicke – bass
Stanisław Banyś – drums

Deaf Platypus began their journey in 2021 at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory, under the guidance of saxophonist and educator Jakub Doležal. What started as a jazz-fusion cover band quickly evolved into a unique ensemble with its own voice. Platypus melodies are characterized by its whimsical and innocent tone, often laced with subtle complexities. They are not afraid to experiment, incorporating odd meters, rich harmonic textures, and arrangements that flirt with neoclassical influences. At the heart of their sound lies jazz improvisation, which serves as both a foundation and a launchpad for exploration.

Mikuláš Homolka – trumpet
Vanda Dršatová – flute
David Le Cam – saxophon
Václav ‚Hugo‘ Pitule – drums
Ivča Kejzlarová – bass
Amélie Teršlová – keyboard

Josef Hanulík is a guitarist, singer, and composer known for blending jazz, American folk, and bluegrass with his own unique style. His performances feature original compositions as well as reinterpretations of traditional songs, presented in intimate solo arrangements. Currently studying jazz performance at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts (JAMU) in Brno, Czech Republic, Josef is focused on honing his craft and is ready to share his music both locally and internationally.

Josef Hanulík – guitar

Karolina Błachnia Quartet is a Polish ensemble formed in 2023 and based in Warsaw, performing original jazz and improvised compositions by bandleader Karolina Błachnia. The group has quickly gained recognition, winning the Grand Prix at the JAZZiNSPIRACJE 2023 competition at the 14th Lublin Jazz Festival, receiving an honorable mention at the I WesJazz Competition in 2023, and reaching the finals of both the 50th Jazz Nad Odrą competition and the XXV Jazz Review at Sax Club in Gdynia. The band also won the Jazz Phonographic Debut 2024 scholarship, supporting the release of their debut album Wschód in February 2025, available on all streaming platforms.

Karolina Błachnia, a jazz vocalist, instrumentalist, and composer, values freedom of expression and community in her music. Her compositions reflect her unique perspective on the world. She has won numerous awards, including first prize at the Center for Artistic Education competition, third prize at the 50th International Jazz Vocalist Competition in Zamość, and second prize at the New Jazz Hope 2024 competition in Łomża.

Karolina Błachnia – vocals
Piotr Andrzejewski – piano
Maciej Baraniak – double bass
Mikołaj Mańkowski – drums

The Glance project, led by composer and musician Petr Nohavica, first gained attention with its self-titled album, which featured a stellar lineup of Czech jazz musicians, including guitarist David Dorůžka, pianist Jiří Levíček, saxophonist Cyrille Oswald, and double bassist Jaromír Honzák, alongside vocalist Allison Wheeler. Released under the Bivak Records label, the album earned a spot in the wider nomination for the Anděl Award in the jazz category in 2024. After a brief hiatus, The Glance project returns with a fresh lineup, while maintaining the core of the band: leader Petr Nohavica and vocalist Allison Wheeler. Joining them are young but highly respected musicians: guitarist Martin Hrubec and double bassist Luan Goncalves. Together, this new iteration of The Glance project continues to push the boundaries of jazz with their innovative sound and dynamic shows.

Allison Wheeler – vocals, keyboard
Martin Hrubec – guitar
Luan Gonzalves – double bass
Petr Nohavica – drums

An instrumental Czech-Polish quartet that seamlessly blends contemporary jazz with elements of popular and electronic music. Their modern jazz compositions tell compelling stories through memorable melodies and unexpected arrangements. Free improvisation surfaces throughout, weaving in and out of cinematic soundscapes. A sharp, restless groove may suddenly give way to a tender ballad. The ensemble’s organic sound – centered around a guitar quartet and trumpet – is enriched by electronic textures and spontaneous interaction.

Formed in 2019 as a Czech guitar quartet with saxophone, the group has evolved over five years of collaboration. Following the release of their second album, they underwent a significant transformation, now featuring Polish trumpeter and electronic improviser Fabian Klimanek.

The group debuted with a five-track video EP titled Live Sessions, each piece accompanied by live performance footage. In 2022, they released their debut album Open to Closeness (Bivak Records), which features the acclaimed New York-based keyboardist Jason Lindner.

Radim Přidal – guitar
Fabian Klimanek – trumpet, fx
Vlastimil Skoda – bass guitar
Petr Nohavica – drums

Formed by pianist and composer Grzegorz Ziółek, this award-winning quartet brings together some of the brightest emerging talents of the Polish jazz scene. With a shared passion for expanding the boundaries of improvised music, the group blends individual artistry with collective synergy to explore fresh sonic landscapes.

Their distinctive sound quickly gained recognition, earning top prizes at Poland’s most prestigious jazz competitions. In 2022, they were selected for the esteemed Phonographic Jazz Debut program, run by the National Institute of Music and Dance, which led to the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, Untold. Rooted in jazz tradition while constantly pushing creative boundaries, the quartet captivates both audiences and critics with its innovative approach and dynamic interplay.

Grzegorz Ziółek – piano
Marcin Elszkowski – trumpet
Piotr Narajowski – double bass
Bartosz Szablowski – drums