Kapela Maliszów is a family band from Męcina Mała, a small village in Beskid Niski, comprising multi-instrumentalist Jan Malisz and his children – Zuzanna and Kacper. The band is inspired by traditional music of their region: folk songs and dance music from many different regions of Poland. The music is traditionally performed “archaic style” on a violin, a basolia (a folk instrument similar to a cello) and a drum, with a great degree of freedom, joy and improvisation – it’s not just an academic reconstruction of old melodies.

Kapela Maliszów also compose their own music, inspired by Polish tradition and characterised by their distinctive style – influenced by jazz and world music. Interestingly, the violin and baraban (the drum) have been in the family for generations, handed down to Jan Malisz from his father, Józef. Józef also taught Jan the basics of many other instruments that could be found around the house. That’s why the band called this music “Father’s notes”. Apart from making music, the band also make instruments. In his workshop, Jan Malisz builds violins, hurdy-gurdys, nyckelharpas, pipes and many others.

After the break, the Belgian-Syrian Damast Duo joins the group. Damast is the duo of Jonas Malfliet (Les Busiciens, Olla Vogala, The Lonely Ensemble) and the violinist Shalan Alhamwy (The Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, Ghent Folk Violin Project). They play a unique approach to folk, Arabic and Turkish music, Balkan and own compositions. Kapela Maliszów played together with Damast at the Garden of Sounds festival in Katowice and it caught on.

Kapela Maliszów

• Jan Malisz : violin, basolia, hurdy-gurdy, accordion, vocals
• Zuzanna Malisz : vocals, basolia, drums
• Kacper Malisz : violin, basolia, nyckelharpa

Damast

• Jonas Malfliet: accordion
• Shalan Alhamwy: violin

With the collaboration of the Polish Institute in Brussels.