Polish jazz stars at Expo 2025
Polish jazz musicians are listened to and appreciated by Japanese music lovers. During Expo 2025 in Osaka, audiences participate in exciting artistic events with the presence of outstanding jazzmen such as Leszek Możdżer, Sylwester Ostrowski, Jakub Mizeracki and Nikola Kołodziejczyk.
Japanese audiences appreciate Polish jazz classics, as well as modern performers of the genre. Thanks to the extraordinary sensitivity of Japanese listeners to sound and their fascination with the culture of Central Europe, Polish artists find loyal fans and inspiring collaborators in this country. This is determined by the high performance quality of the Poles, the depth and emotionalism of their message and the openness of the Japanese to new sounds and genres. Japanese jazz fans especially appreciate the Polish jazz scene for its lyricism and unique sound, which differs from American or Scandinavian jazz.
Since the 1960s, the works of Krzysztof Komeda, especially the soundtracks to Roman Polanski’s films, have been of great interest in Japan. Today, Marcin Wasilewski’s trio, which regularly performs in the Land of the Rising Sun, is popular. The pianist Piotr Orzechowski, saxophonists Kuba Więcek and Adam Pierończyk, vocalist Anna Maria Jopek and the duo Piotr Damasiewicz (trumpet) and Aleksandra Kryńska (violin), among others, have successfully performed at festivals and in Japanese clubs. Fascinated by Japanese music and culture for years, guitarist and double bassist Wojciech Mazolewski founded the Tokyo Spirit Band with Japanese and Polish musicians.
Exceptional concert by Leszek Możdżer at Expo 2025
One of the modern Polish jazz artists most highly regarded in Japan is pianist Leszek Możdżer – known for his unique style combining jazz with classical music. His ties with Japan and concerts in the country have a long history. This year, Leszek Możdżer’s unique special concert in Japan was held as a side event to the World Expo 2025. On April 24, 2025, at the Higashiosaka Cultural Ceratom hall in Osaka, the audience were able to listen to his performance of sounds never before heard in Japan. The performance on the occasion of the Polish Space Day – celebrated during the Days of Polish Science and Education April 22-26, 2025 at Poland Pavilion – was an opportunity for a musical presentation of the decaphonic piano. This new instrument, designed by Polish scientists based on Leszek Możdżer’s concept and commission, is the world’s first piano built on a system of ten notes per octave instead of the traditional twelve. The decaphonic piano symbolically refers to the world of modern science, which operates mainly on the decimal system. During the concert, the artist played two pianos set up next to each other at the same time, generating great interest and applause from the audience.
New generation of Polish jazzmen at Expo 2025
Saxophonist Sylwester Ostrowski – artistic director of the Szczecin Jazz Festival – played at Expo 2025 as part of West Pomerania Region Days on May 23-24. He was accompanied by excellent musicians: Japanese jazz pianist Makoto Kuriya, American gospel and blues singer Dorrey Lin Lynes with her band and guitarist Jakub Mizeracki.
This fall, from September 7-9, the Osaka Jazz Clubs and Poland Pavilion at Expo 2025 will showcase the young Polish jazz scene. The event will showcase a new generation of Polish jazzmen who bring fresh sounds to the traditions of the genre. The performances will take place in the concert hall of Poland Pavilion, as well as in renowned clubs, allowing the event to reach a wide audience.
Modern stars of Polish jazz, which enjoys a good name worldwide, guarantee not only a high level of performance, but also a unique, emotional atmosphere during concerts, a lot of fun and emotion. Visitors to Poland Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 and music lovers from Japan are in for another exciting artistic event with the participation of Polish jazzmen.
Fot. A. Stykowski / PAIH
