The Amalia Umeda Quartet features Amalia Umeda (violin, viola, vocals), Franciszek Raczkowski (piano), Michał Aftyka (double bass), and Michał Szeligowski (drums).

 

Together, they create an intuitive space where four artistic voices blend through collective improvisation. Their shared vision is rooted in an unwavering openness to new textural, temporal, and interpretative directions. While all compositions are written by the leader, they begin as minimalist outlines, giving the ensemble full freedom to sculpt a unique shape, character, and narrative during every live performance—shaped by the acoustics of the space, the mood of the moment, and the energy of the audience.

 

The ensemble first gained widespread international recognition with their 2022 debut album, Nowoświt (co-produced by Polish Radio Program 2). Inspired by the raw beauty of nature, Slavic folk motifs, and contemporary experimental jazz, the debut launched an extensive international footprint.

The quartet was selected for the prestigious Footprints Europe program, which resulted in an international tour promoting the album. During this tour, the band performed at festivals such as Jazztopad Festival, Letnia Akademia Jazzu, Cologne Jazzweek, Oslo Jazzfestival, Umeå Jazz Festival, and Jazzahead Showcase, as well as in concert halls including NOSPR in Katowice, NFM in Wrocław, Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene in Oslo, and BIMHUIS in Amsterdam.

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Now, the quartet enters a bold new creative chapter with their forthcoming second studio album, Organikt. Evolving from the atmospheric foundations of their debut, Organikt pushes their sonic exploration even further, delivering a raw, highly expressive, and deeply captivating soundworld.