“The trio, in their debut recording together, cast a wide net from Poland to Argentina and enchant with a selection of works for Zawadzki's entrancing vocals, supported by plaintive piano, percussion, vielle and bass. Folk? Jazz? Chamber? World music? Who cares?” – BBC Music Magazine – 5 Michael Beek
This award-winning trio blends Mediterranean folk, chamber music, improvisation and acoustic jazz, creating a sound that is delicate, expressive and deeply immersive. Guided by subtle interaction, space and finely tuned musicianship, Alice Zawadzki, Fred Thomas and Misha Mullov-Abbado craft performances that are richly textured, emotionally compelling and entirely their own.
Their ECM Records debut album Za Górami, produced by Manfred Eicher, was released to critical acclaim in 2024. The album was named Presto Music Jazz Recording of the Year and listed among The Guardian’s 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2024. With nearly a decade of collaboration, the trio brings rare synergy, intimacy and precision to every performance.
‘Collected on our travels and taught to us by our friends, these are songs we have learnt and loved together. Though our musical and cultural backgrounds encompass Europe, Russia and South America, we were all three born in England. This happenstance was the product of love, war, exile, the arbitrariness of borders and the yearning for a new life – all themes which are themselves woven through the narratives you’ll hear within. Gathered from Argentina, France, Venezuela, Poland and the deep well of Sephardic culture, these folk tales speak to the moon, the mountains, the rain, the madness of humans and the prophecies of birds’
Vocalist, violinist, and composer Alice Zawadzki is a distinctive presence on the European creative scene. Her rich musical background and “whimsical hyper-creativity” (MOJO Magazine) draw upon her early exposure to New Orleans jazz and gospel, an extensive classical training as a violinist, and a continuous exploration of improvisation, poetry, and folk music from diverse traditions, ‘all propelled in a voice of velvet suppleness and gutsy emotional power’ (The Arts Desk).
Fred Thomas is one of London’s most sought-after multi-instrumentalists and composer/arranger/producers, known for his breadth of musical styles as well as for specialising in creative re-interpretations of J.S. Bach. He has collaborated with a huge variety of artists worldwide including Brian Eno, Yo-Yo Ma, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Jordi Savall, Meredith Monk, and Abel Selaocoe.
Award-winning, London-based jazz bass player, composer and arranger Misha Mullov-Abbado is a musician who combines great imagination with raw talent and a clear vision. Misha is an experienced bandleader and versatile sideman and performs regularly all over the UK and around the world. A prolific composer and arranger in his own right, he embraces his jazz, classical, pop and folk influences in composing for a variety of jazz groups, as well as classical soloists and ensembles.
Alice Zawadzki voice, violin, percussion
Fred Thomas piano, drums and percussion, vielle
Misha Mullov-Abbado double bass
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear these exceptional artists perform up close in the intimate and acoustically superb David Li Sound Gallery.
Photographer credit: Monika Jakubowska
