Improvisation is the trigger we use in order to merge the fragments of our essence.
Nguami Maka
 
This quote could serve as the motto of the 19th Jazztopad Festival, which will take place on 18-27 November. We look forward to welcoming exceptional artists to Wrocław. We are counting down the days to the opening of Jazztopad, whose programme this year includes five world premieres and a number of special projects with the participation of jazz and improvised music artists. We will host a resident artist for the first time, and a part of the programme will be devoted to the African continent.

We are overjoyed that the drummer Hamid Drake has planned a several-day visit to Wrocław, during which he will not only play the final concert dedicated to Alice Coltrane, but also perform with María Grand, Naïssam Jalal, Michiyo Yagi (they have been talking about that for fifteen years!), Joshua Abrams and David Murray.

Marek Pospieszalski will present the premiere material from the soon-to-be released album, and one of the most extraordinary artists of the European improvised music scene, Joëlle Léandre will establish a collaboration with the Polish Cello Quartet in Wrocław to create a new piece, based on the synergy born from their creative meeting. She will also play with Pascal Contet, with whom she has been collaborating for twenty-eight years.
 
For the first time in Poland, we will have the opportunity to listen to the Angolan Nguami Maka quintet, exploring the ancient rhythms of the artists’ homeland. We will be very happy to welcome Dee Dee Bridgwater, Nduduzo Makhatini, and The Brother Moves On, who will rule the stages of the NFM during the festival’s opening weekend

During the Improv Sessions, Mleczarnia Club and Café will host the Sundogs trio featuring Mateusz Rybicki, Zbigniew Kozera and Samuel Hall. The Swiss line-up of UASSYN will also appear at the festival club, and a solo programme will be performed by one of the most creative drummers on the European scene – Julian Sartorius.

Of course, there will be concerts held in private homes too.

Come and join us!