Kayah
presents Jazzayah
Cadogan Hall
Saturday 12 September 2026
17:15
The Jazzayah project presents a jazz-oriented reimagining of the repertoire of one of Poland’s most established vocal artists. The programme includes iconic songs in newly crafted jazz arrangements, alongside original compositions that have long carried a strong improvisational potential. The set is further expanded by jazz standards, reaching beyond the American canon to include Polish jazz evergreens particularly close to the artist’s musical sensibility.
The ensemble brings together leading figures of the Polish jazz scene. Pianist, composer, and producer Jan Smoczyński, a long-time collaborator, shapes the project’s arrangements, combining jazz language with a broad stylistic perspective. The rhythm section features double bassist Michał Barański and drummer Michał Miśkiewicz, both renowned for their work with artists such as Marcin Wasilewski, Tomasz Stańko, Aga Zaryan, and Piotr Wojtasik. Vocal harmonies are provided by Iwona Zasuwa, who has accompanied Kayah on stage for over 25 years.
Kayah released her debut album Kamień in 1995 and has since recorded 11 studio albums, including Kayah i Bregovic, MTV Unplugged, Skała, and Transoriental Orchestra. All of her releases have achieved Gold, Platinum, or Diamond status. In 2007, she released the DVD Kayah – MTV Unplugged, documenting a performance within the iconic series, to which she was invited as the first artist from Central and Eastern Europe. Her international collaborations include projects with Goran Bregović, Cesaria Evora, Teofilo Chantre, Idan Raichel, Elida Almeida, and Yasmin Levy.
