East Meets West: Oriental Ethno-Jazz Made in Kraków
Music has always been more than just sounds and rhythm to me—it’s a language that connects people, cultures, and emotions. This idea gave birth to the Ibrahim Trio, a project I had the privilege of creating with two exceptional musicians: Joachim Mencel (hurdy-gurdy, piano) and Szymon Madej (drums). Our debut album, “Live at Manggha (East Meets West)”, recorded live at the Manggha Museum in Kraków, is the result of this inspiration—a meeting of East and West musical influences in a harmony of sounds and emotions.
Here, I would like to share the story of how the Ibrahim Trio came to life, talk about our vision and the music we create. I also invite you to explore the videos and recordings from our concert, capturing the unique atmosphere of that special evening.
The Birth of Ibrahim Trio
Music has always been a bridge for me, connecting diverse worlds, and in the Ibrahim Trio, this idea took on a new dimension. Here, the East meets the West—traditional Oriental melodies and rhythms intertwine with the freedom and expression of contemporary jazz. I’ve always been fascinated by how jazz opens a space for improvisation and dialogue between musicians, making this project not just an artistic challenge but also a journey into a new musical realm.
The first piece we worked on as a trio was my composition “Georgina Dance”, which gained new life through our collaborative arrangement. It was a pivotal moment for us—melding three distinct musical voices into a cohesive whole. Soon after, we recorded a demo at Szymon Madej’s studio, and today, I’m excited to share that with you.
I hope this material gives you a glimpse into the atmosphere and energy that marked the birth of Ibrahim Trio—our vision of music as a universal language that bridges tradition and modernity.
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Live at Manggha (East Meets West)
The Ibrahim Trio’s debut album, Live at Manggha: East Meets West, captures the essence of their first concert, held at the renowned Manggha Museum in Kraków. Recorded live on April 21, 2024, this performance offers a captivating blend of Eastern and Western musical traditions, brought to life by three extraordinary musicians: Wassim Ibrahim (oud, vocals), Joachim Mencel (hurdy-gurdy, piano), and Szymon Madej (drums). The trio’s dynamic interplay of diverse sounds and cultural influences makes this live recording an unforgettable sonic journey that bridges the ancient and the modern, the East and the West.
The Making of “Live at Manggha (East Meets West)”
Recording our debut album, “Live at Manggha”, was an extraordinary experience that will stay with me forever. Choosing the Manggha Museum as the venue for our concert was a natural decision—it’s a space that symbolizes the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures, perfectly reflecting the essence of our music.
That evening, the stage became a place of musical dialogue. The energy of the audience, the exceptional acoustics, and our shared passion created an atmosphere that’s hard to put into words. Every composition, from dynamic rhythms to delicate, lyrical moments, gained a new depth. “Two Years After”, composed by Szymon Madej, holds a special place for us—it symbolizes the emotion and harmony we wanted to capture on this album.
This album isn’t just a concert recording. It’s a testament to our first steps as the Ibrahim Trio—a document of how three different musical worlds came together to create something truly unique. I hope that when you listen to these tracks, you’ll feel a glimpse of the magic that filled our music on that unforgettable night.
A word of gratitude and encouragement
Working on the Ibrahim Trio and our debut album has been a journey filled with inspiration, challenges, and unforgettable moments. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to this project and supported us at every step of our musical path.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Manggha Museum for their openness and for hosting us in a space that perfectly embodies the spirit of East meeting West. A special thank you to Andrzej Czop “Czoper” for his flawless sound work during the concert and for mixing the album—your expertise added a whole new dimension to our compositions.
Thank you as well to Kraków Music and IndaMusic for their invaluable support in promoting our concert and the music of Ibrahim Trio. And finally, to everyone who attended our debut concert—your presence, emotions, and reactions made that evening truly unforgettable.
A huge shoutout to my friends and extraordinary musicians, Joachim and Szymon—your talent, passion, and dedication were the foundation of this shared journey.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and I invite you to continue exploring the music of Ibrahim Trio!
Wassim Ibrahim is a Syrian-born oud player, composer, and vocalist, renowned for his mastery of blending traditional Oriental music with modern styles. Trained in classical/contemporary music and composition, he has performed internationally and is known for his emotionally expressive performances. His music carries the rich legacy of the Levant while pushing the boundaries of contemporary ethnojazz.
Joachim Mencel is a celebrated Polish jazz pianist, composer, and pioneer in performing jazz on the hurdy-gurdy. A professor at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków, Mencel is highly regarded for his innovative compositions and collaborations with leading jazz artists around the world. His work bridges Polish musical traditions with contemporary jazz and world music.
Szymon Madej is a versatile Polish jazz drummer known for his dynamic technique and wide-ranging musical influences. A graduate of the Jazz and Popular Music Faculty in Katowice, Madej has won multiple prestigious jazz awards and has collaborated with prominent musicians in Poland and beyond. His rhythmic versatility adds a distinctive pulse to the Ibrahim Trio’s sound.
