СОЮЗ (SOYUZ)

СОЮЗ (SOYUZ) is a creative collective originally from Minsk, Belarus, founded by multi-instrumentalists Alex Chumak and Mikita Arlou. After relocating to Warsaw in 2022, the band was joined by Polish musicians Albert Karch (drums) and Igor Wiśniewski (guitar). The name, which means “union”, reflects both the collaboration between its members and the project’s dual identity.

SOYUZ is, in fact, two bands in one. In the studio, Alex Chumak serves as the composer, arranger, and artistic director, shaping meticulously crafted recordings that draw from jazz, folk, pop and classical music. On stage, however, SOYUZ becomes a different entity: the live quartet reimagines the music collectively, where improvisation and each member’s individual voice reshape the songs, often to a surprise of audience and band alike.