Polish Jazz in China and South Korea 2024

From 27 November to 8 December 2024, the Mateusz Gawęda Trio will be on a tour of South Korea and China. The Krakow trio will play 10 concerts, among others, in Seoul and Shanghai. The tour is part of the “Jazz po polsku” project, supported by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

“Jazz po polsku” in China and South Korea 2024

The “Jazz po polsku” project promotes Polish jazz globally by showcasing the most talented young performers to international audiences. Since its inception, the organisers have prepared over 150 events across 4 continents, featuring several dozen emerging Polish artists. These performers present their original repertoires and collaborate with local musicians to create unique musical experiences. Concerts under the project have already been held in countries such as Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, China, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Taiwan, Hungary, and Vietnam. The project draws inspiration from the legacy of Paweł Edmund Strzelecki, the first Pole to circumnavigate the globe independently (1834–1843).

The “Jazz po polsku” project: began in May 2023 and will run until the end of 2025. From 27 to 30 November 2024, the Mateusz Gawęda Trio will perform in South Korea, followed by concerts in China from 1 to 8 December 2024. The trio – comprising Mateusz Gawęda (piano), Alan Wykpisz (string bass), and Grzegorz Pałka (drums) – is set to play 10 concerts, visiting both major metropolises and smaller towns. In South Korea, the group will perform in Busan, Jinju, Seoul, and Yangsan, including a special appearance at Evans Jazz Club. In Yangsan, they will also lead music workshops at the PM Music Hub. In China, their tour includes stages in Chongqing, Hefei, Nanning, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Xiamen, with a performance at Shanghai’s prestigious Lincoln Center. During the concerts in Korea the Polish band will be accompanied by Korean singer MinJin Seo.


Mateusz Gawęda Trio (photo by Kasia Stańczyk / “Jazz po polsku” press materials)

Polish Jazz Music in Asia and Beyond

The Mateusz Gawęda Trio, formed in 2014, has been known for its unique jazz style, blending influences from diverse musical genres – primarily jazz from the 1960s, 20th-century European music, and contemporary sounds. During their concert tour in China and South Korea, the trio will perform their original repertoire, featuring tracks from their two studio albums: “Falstart” (2018) and “Overnight Tales” (2016). Additionally, the group has prepared a special piece for their Asian audience: “Prelude in E Minor” by Fryderyk Chopin.

Concerts of Mateusz Gawęda Trio:

Republic of Korea

  • 27.11.2024 KOREA, Seul, Club Evans
  • 28.11.2024 KOREA, Seul, Orient Express
  • 29.11.2024 KOREA, Jinju, The Space Recording Studio, recording (feat MinJinSeo)
  • 29.11.2024 KOREA, Busan, Buk-gu Culture and Arts Center (feat. Minjin Seo)
  • 30.11.2024 KOREA, Yangsan, PM Music Hub - workshop feat. Minjin Seo
  • 30.11.2024 KOREA, Jinju, Klanghaus (feat. Minjin Seo)

China

  • 01.12.2024 CHINA, Shanghai, Lincoln Center
  • 03.12.2024 CHINA, Hefei, J&Z Cottage
  • 04.12.2024 CHINA, Chongqing, NUTS Live House
  • 06.12.2024 CHINA, Xiamen, RealLive and Books Live House
  • 07.12.2024 CHINA, Nanning, Malt House Jazz Club
  • 08.12.2024 CHINA, Shenzhen, Lavo

The JAZZ PO POLSKU “Around the World” project is implemented by the JAZZ PO POLSKU Foundation, with honorary patronage assumed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project partners are: the Adam Mickiewicz Institute (concerts in Korea), LOT Polish Airlines, the Industrial Development Agency Foundation, and the Institute of Economic Diplomacy Foundation. The Strategic Partner of the project is the Podlaskie Voivodeship. The partners of the concerts in Korea are the Polish Embassy in Seoul and PM Music Hub. The partners of the concerts in China are the Polish Institute in Beijing, the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Guangzhou, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Shanghai. The sponsor of the Chinese edition of the project is Allrango. Media patrons: Trójka Polish Radio, Polish Press Agency, Jazz TV, Jazz Forum, Jazz Soul, China 24.com.