Exploring Ukrainian-Polish Jazz Connections: A Groundbreaking Cultural Exchange
Exploring Ukrainian-Polish Jazz Connections: A Groundbreaking Cultural Exchange
The Ukrainian-Polish Jazz Connections project aims to shine a light on the rich, yet underexplored, relationship between the jazz scenes of Ukraine and Poland. Although both countries have significantly influenced each other’s musical landscapes, no comprehensive research has been conducted – until now.
Photo: Yakiv Tsvetinskyi, Ukrainian jazz musician, trumpeter and Marcin Kaletka, Polish saxophonist.
Photo by Oleksandr Zubko.
About the project
Initiated by Ukrainian Institute and Polish internet radio JazzKultura, this project is held in the frame of the Grace Note – the program of cooperation with international music media. It traces the historical roots of Ukrainian-Polish jazz collaborations, explores how these ties have evolved, and showcases the impact of this cross-cultural exchange today. Through research, interviews, concert series, and new collaborations, the initiative not only preserves the legacy of these musical connections but also fosters fresh opportunities for young musicians on the international stage. Polish Institute in Kyiv joined this initiative as a partner.
Key elements of the project include in-depth articles, podcasts, and radio broadcasts, alongside live performances that feature prominent Ukrainian-Polish jazz artists. The project will also promote new collaborations, aiming to strengthen the ties between these two vibrant jazz communities.
By bringing Ukrainian-Polish jazz into the broader European jazz conversation, this project celebrates a deep cultural dialogue and creates a platform for future collaborations.
A series of interviews on Jazzkultura
In November 2024, Ukrainian Institute was happy to welcome the head of Polish radio Jazzkultura in Lviv and in Kyiv Mery Zimny who had a series of meetings and interviews with representatives of Ukrainian jazz scene. She also visited House of Sound and Dzyga club in Lviv, Kyiv municipal music academy named after Gliere and 32 jazz club in Kyiv. As a result, there are already first interviews that were broadcasted on Jazzkultura radio:
2024:
- Interview with Pawel Brodowsky, head of Jazz Forum magazine in Warsaw
- Interview with Roman Khraniuk, Polish-Ukrainian double bass player
- Interview with Dana Vynnytska, Ukrainian vocalist and composer
2025:
- Interview with Mark Tokar, Ukrainian double-bass player who is now serving in Ukrainian army.
Interview with Mariana Bondarenko, head of music at Ukrainian Institute
Interview with Oleksii Kogan, jazz musician, radio host
More articles in the media
- Radio Krakow: “Jak prowadzić audycję jazzową w państwie objętym wojną?”
- Jazz Forum magazine “Ukraińsko-polska współpraca jazzowa”