Since 2020, acclaimed improvisational duo Lina Andonovska (flute) and Izumi Kimura (piano) have forged a compelling musical partnership, earning praise for their intuitive interplay. Their performance at the Jazz Promotion Network showcase in Belfast drew particular acclaim, with critic Ian Patterson describing their collaboration as “...a dialogue of subtly unfolding contours characterized by sotto voce whisperings, dramatic peaks, and sumptuously lyrical middle ground. For improvised music, this was remarkably melodic at its core, pockets of icy impressionism or minimalism aside...for the most part the dialogue was one of contrapuntal improvisation, two voices interweaving, prodding and cajoling, locking into sync and riding the wave, then surrendering to the bravest of bare-bones exchanges.”

Pianist Izumi Kimura, originally from Japan, has made Ireland her home since 1995 and has performed extensively both domestically and internationally. Her work spans classical, jazz, and freely improvised music, with a strong focus over the last decade on contemporary practices in interpretation, composition, and improvisation. She has collaborated with a wide array of musicians and ensembles, including the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra, Crash Ensemble, Michael d’Arcy, Benjamin Dwyer, and Cora Venus Lunny. In the realm of jazz and free improvisation, her collaborators have included Barry Guy, Gerry Hemingway, Christy Doran, Tommy Halferty, Ronan Guilfoyle, Dominique Pifarély, Benoît Delbecq, and Stéphane Payen. Kimura has also engaged in interdisciplinary work with visual and sound artists such as Anthony Kelly, David Stalling, Jaki Irvine, and Helen O’Connell.

Described by The Age as “re-defining the act of going solo,” flautist Lina Andonovska brings a spirit of curiosity, daring, and adaptability to stages across the globe. A member of the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird, she is in high demand as both a soloist and collaborative artist. Her appearances include guest performances with Ensemble Modern, Ensemble Recherche, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and stargaze. Comfortable in both improvisational and composed settings, Andonovska is celebrated for her interpretations of contemporary music. Rolling Stone lauded her playing at the Bang on a Can Summer Festival as “superbly played…” She is also a Powell Flutes artist.