Axoum Duo is one of the most divers formations who presents different styles in today`s music and creates its own musical language. The duo was created in 2000 in Paris by Elwira Ślązak (Poland) and Gabriel Collet (France).
Since 17 years Axoum performs in the concert halls and festivals around the world, in between: "Braunshweig Festival Classix”, "International Seoul Drum Festival", Auditorio de Tenerife, Shanghai Concert Hall, "Rachid Behboudov Theatre" in Bakou "Les Journées de la Francophonie""65 International Chopin Piano Festival", "Karuzela Cooltury" and at the European Parliament ...
In march 2017 they took part in "Returning Lives", an intercultural collaboration between artists from Hobart, Shanghai and Warsaw, combining oil & ink painting, hand-drawn animation and music, which had its premiere on 18 March 2017 as part of the 2017 Ten Days on the Island Festival in Hobart (Tasmania).
In July 2016, during the "VII J.Waldorff Summer Festival" the duo premiered Gabriel Collet`s first Concerto for 2 marimbas and symphonic Orchestra "Conversation with a stone" (inspired by the poetry of Nobel poetress Wisława Szymborska).
The duo is a prize winner of many international competitions such as "VIII International Krzysztof Penderecki Contemporary Chamber Music Competition" (I prize), II Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium (II prize). The artists are recipients of prestigious European "Prix Luffin" and "The Sir Georges Solti Foundation" grants.
Their repertoire mostly consists of compositions and arrangements written by Gabriel Collet for the duo..In addition to their concert activities the duo writes soundtracks for documentaries and works with different musicians, singers, dancers and painters. Fully commited to contemporary music, they have made many first performances of new pieces, some of which have been dedicated to them.
Their first CD recording with new music "Axoum New music for two marimbas" has been released in 2007 with, among others, three first recordings of the original pieces written for marimba duo. It has received enthusiastic reviews in France, Belgium, Japan and USA.
Axoum's performances and recordings have been broadcast on different radios in Europe including: Musiques 3, Radio Bartok, Polskie Radio. The duo also makes appearances on different TV programmes in Poland.
They hold degrees with the highest distinctions from the Conservatories in Paris, the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels. They graduated with diplomas with the highest honour from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Antwerp, Postgraduate Concert Soloist studies (marimba) .
Elwira Slazak, native of Warsaw, marimba & percussion player, pedagogue
Graduated from Royal Conservatory of Brussels --percussion instruments and Royal Conservatory of Antwerp -- as Postgraduate Concert Soloist studies with focus on marimba. Her diplomas hold the highest merits in all the academies she finished.
Elwira Slazak has participated in a number of world premières at renowned venues and festivals in Europe, Asia and Australia, as a soloist, with orchestra as well as together with Gabriel Collet as Axoum Duo.
She is a lecturer at master classes and workshops and sits as juror in the international competitions. The Artist is an originator of many ideas and organizer of cultural and educational projects and events.
Artist's personal page: elwiraslazak.com
Gabriel Collet, born in France, percussionist – marimba player, composer and arranger.
He graduated from Royal Music Conservatory in Brussels (percussion instruments) and Soloist Postgraduate studies in marimba class in Royal Conservatory of Antwerp with the highest merits.
In his career of a musician he has performed with many orchestras, bands and artists, among the others he participated in tournee with Craig Armstrong’s band (Massive Attack) or Anne Pierle.
He is author of many works for solo, chamber music and orchestra (instrumental, vocal), arrangements and soundtracks for documentaries and animated movies. His music was presented on 4 continents.
Artist's personal page: gabrielcollet.com