A Norwegian improvising saxophonist, a double bassist from Wrocław fascinated by whales, a Japanese drummer based in Berlin, and a Belgian jazz guitarist in love with Hindustani and West African music – what emerges when they meet on stage? Not knowing what to expect is a premise that has, over the years, become a tradition for Melting Pot Made in Wrocław.

The project serves as a model for a better world, as the shared goal of all the participating artists is to create a beautiful musical dialogue. This year, the stage in the NFM foyer will feature double bassist Mikołaj Nowicki, co-founder of the acclaimed Ślina band and the Wrocław Improvisation Orchestra. While free improvisation, free jazz, ambient, and experimental music are particularly close to his  heart, he also plays folk music and composes for the theatre. For the past two years, he has been developing a solo project that blends the sound of the double bass with whale song recordings. He will be joined by Norwegian saxophonist Heidi Kvelvane. Her primary focus is free jazz, though she also plays Norwegian folk music on the accordion. As an improviser, she often creates in a delicate expressive style reminiscent of Lee Konitz yet occasionally transforms into a veritable volcano of sound. Joining these artists will be Haroun Iqbal, a Belgian guitarist and composer associated with Ghent and the Flemish music scene. His work is rooted in jazz, however Western classical music, the sound and playing technique of the West African kora, and North Indian raga are equally important to him. He successfully blends these diverse musical languages in his own compositions. Rounding out the lineup is Tokyo-born Raiga Hayashi, who began playing the drums around the age of ten. He initially played in his great-aunt’s blues band before joining a punk group. At fifteen, he transitioned to free jazz alongside veteran masters of the Japanese scene, eventually developing an expressive playing style reminiscent of Paal Nilssen-Love.