Magdalena Lechowska is a Polish artist with a Hispanic soul! 

Born in Kraków, Poland, she grew up in Colombia, where she had the privilege of immersing herself in the vibrant and passionate Ibero-American culture from an early age. This upbringing allowed her to absorb the influences of traditional singing that have had a lasting impact on her talent and artistic direction. Magdalena’s repertoire encompasses various genres, including flamenco, bolero, tango, ranchera, and cumbia, among others. She skillfully combines these diverse musical styles, merging different cultural influences and temperaments.  Fearlessly experimenting with the classics, she adeptly captures the unique mood of Andalusian singing. Magdalena Lechowska stands as a singular and colourful voice in Poland, a testament to the profound influence of South American music. Her musical versatility, captivating vocal depth, and vibrant personality make her a phenomenon in the Polish market for Latin, flamenco, and tango music. She achieved recognition as the winner of the 2011 Grechuta Festival competition for the interpretation of Marek Grechuta’s songs, together with her former band Aire Andaluz.

 In 2015, she released her debut album titled ‘RAICES’, which stands as a one-of-a-kind musical production, blending Argentine tango, Mexican ranchera, Colombian cumbia, Cuban bolero, and flamenco.  The album also features her own arrangements of well-known songs by Marek Grechuta, sung in Spanish and infused with the rhythms of flamenco. This fusion of Spanish temperament and Polish classics has garnered praise from both audiences and critics. 2018 saw the release of her second album: TANGO POLACO The album offers a refreshing interpretation of the most renowned Polish tango compositions, presented in a jazzy style that incorporates both traditional tango elements and electronic sounds. The project’s uniqueness lies in its ability to blend the traditions of two cultures, resulting in a versatile musical experience. Not only do the Polish tangos receive a fresh tempo and sound, but they also gain a new dimension by being translated into Spanish, expanding their reach to a broader audience.

Mikołaj Kostka

Mikołaj Kostka is a violinist and composer who possesses a deep appreciation for the aesthetics of violin sound. He is a sensitive soul and a curious seeker, constantly exploring new musical territories. His compositions reflect his experimental nature, delicately balancing between virtuosic intensity and minimalist-ascetic spaces, often venturing close to silence. Maciej Obara, in praise of Mikołaj Kostka, said:  “Undoubtedly, Mikołaj Kostka possesses an exceptional gift for composition. His music exudes captivating musicality and beautiful tones. It holds a charming quality, with a willingness to embrace abstractions. We witness an artist of multidimensional talent.”

Currently, Mikołaj is pursuing his studies at the Academy of Music in Katowice. He is also a co-founder of the Raczkowski/Kostka Duo and the leader of Follow Dices, an ensemble that won the 13^th Hanseatic Jazz Festival and received accolades at the Blue Note Poznań Competition in 2017. Last year marked his recording debut with both formations, releasing the albums "Duo" (Raczkowski/Kostka Duo) and "Eternal Colours" (Follow Dices) under the independent SJ Records label. These albums were warmly received by domestic critics, showcasing Mikołaj’s exceptional talent.

Wiesław Ochwat

Wiesław Ochwat is a highly active instrumentalist, engaged in various cultural activities such as performing in concerts, co-organizing artistic events, and actively working in teaching and research. In 2014, he graduated with honours from the Academy of Music in Kraków, completing a two-degree course in the accordion class under the guidance of Dr. Janusz Pater. In 2018, he obtained his doctorate from the same academy, with Dr. Paweł Paluch as his academic supervisor.

A significant milestone in Wiesław Ochwat’s artistic development was his participation in a two-year project ‘Italian Accordion Academy’ in 2016. This intensive postgraduate programme focused on the art of the accordion and took place in Urbino, Italy, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The project, led by the renowned accordionist and pedagogue Claudio Jacomucci (a former student of Mogens Ellegard) and Kathleen Delaney, a dancer, choreographer, and expert in the Alexander Technique, played a crucial role in his personal growth.

The accordionist's primary interest lies in performing and promoting contemporary music. He has premiered numerous works, both solo and chamber music, many of which were commissioned on his initiative. Wiesław Ochwat has won more than twenty accordion competitions and festivals in Poland and abroad, including the IBLA Grand Prize Competition 2019 in Ragusa, Italy, the Castelfidardo International Accordion Prize in Castelfidardo, Italy, the Andrzej Krzanowski Accordion Competition in Czechowice-Dziedzice, the International Festival of National Music in Przemyśl, and the International Accordion Competition in Poprad, Slovakia. Alongside contemporary music, Wiesław Ochwat also explores classical, improvised, and popular genres.

He has an extensive concert portfolio, performing at various music festivals both in Poland and abroad, including the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Lithuania, Germany, Norway, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary, and Italy. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous masterclasses and music workshops conducted by esteemed pedagogues such as Alexander Dimitriev, Claudio Jacomucci, Teodoro Anzellotti, Mika Väyrynen, Bogdan Dowlasz, Joseph Petric, and others. Wiesław Ochwat has been a recipient of scholarships from the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Poland, the Rector of the Academy of Music in Kraków, and the Mayor of Brzesko. He has also been recognized as a laureate and scholarship recipient of the Tarnów 'Week of Talents' festival.

For several years, Wiesław Ochwat has collaborated with the Art Forum Foundation, actively contributing to the organization of successive editions of the Kraków Accordion Festival and other cultural events.