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TOPOĽANA

Mária's London-based sextet, TOPOL'ANA, is a jazz folk fusion ensemble that melds tradition with innovation. Drawing inspiration from her formative years in a Slovak folklore ensemble, TOPOĽANA transcends geographical borders, carving a distinct place within the London jazz scene. With a repertoire that bridges the gap between jazz's improvisational spirit and the melodies and rhythms of Slovak folk music, the sextet showcases emerging talents and captures the essence of Mária's musical evolution. Their debut album "TOPOL'ANA," released on the 20th October 2023, has garnered widespread acclaim and regular airplay on Jazz FM (UK), Rádio Devín (SK) and more.

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“Mária has a strong individual voice as a flautist, singer and composer and has crafted something unique with this project; featuring highly inventive compositions and arrangements for the unusual flute/sax/clarinet frontline, and her warm, engaging playing is rich with ideas.“

Gareth Lockrane

British Jazz Flautist

“Jazz improv and Slovak folk melodies dance effortlessly together in happy union. You can’t help but feel positive and uplifted after you discover Topoľana.“

Chris Phillips

Jazz FM UK

About the band

Line up

Mária Reháková (SK) - flutes, voice

Sam Knight (UK) - tenor saxophone

Gustavo Clayton Marucci (UK) - clarinets

Eddie Lee (UK) - piano

Peter Korman (SK) - double bass

Floyer Sydenham (UK) - drums​

Notable performances

United Kingdom:

Cambridge Jazz Festival

Jazz In the Round

The Vortex,

The Spice of Life

London Jazz East Festival

Slovakia:

 

Bratislava Jazz Days

One Day Jazz Festival

Open Jazz Fest

Esprit Jazz Awards

World Music Festival

Slovak Folk Expo

We've played more than 40 live performances across 6 different countries.

The album also extends its creative reach into the visual realm. Collaborating with a dress designer, graphic artist, and painter, the project boasts a striking visual identity that offers a contemporary interpretation of folk culture within a jazz context. Mária's father, Pavol Rehák, an integral part of the collaboration, contributed album artwork and six paintings that complement each track, augmenting the album's emotional depth. This personal collaboration with her father adds an intimate and profound layer to the project. Physical copies of the album include lyric-adorned painting cards, inviting listeners to engage with the music on multiple levels and forging a truly immersive experience.

About the album

Mária's debut album, "TOPOL'ANA," blends folk and jazz influences, offering a deeply personal exploration of her cross-cultural journey. It merges two countries, two musical traditions, and two ways of life into a single work of art. Recorded in 2022, the album takes its name from the Slovak word for "poplar tree"—a symbol of solitude and resilience in Slovak poetry. "TOPOL'ANA," a fictional feminine form of the word, reflects Mária's solitary experience in London, intertwining it with her unwavering determination for artistic exploration.

"Moving to London was intense – a transition from tranquility, family, friends and folklore to the vibrant, loud and ceaselessly dynamic pace of London. Although I adapted, I couldn’t help but feel two contrasting sides to my character, two identities in one, that over time merged within me, and are now reflected in this album. After all, life is a balance between the fast and the calm, the active and the serene, the loud and the quiet. May this music accompany you as you seek your equilibrium."

© 2025 by MÁRIA REHÁKOVÁ

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