Avant-garde artist, Alabaster DePlume, will perform in Warsaw on 16 May.

Alabaster DePlume, also known as Gus Fairbairn, a saxophonist, poet and composer whose work is at once soothing with its delicate melodies and moving with its socially engaged and emotional content, will be performing on the stage of Warsaw's Sky on 16 May. Alabaster DePlume, has made a name for himself as a voice of the contemporary jazz avant-garde. His work is an extraordinary journey through sound and emotion, in which music and poetry become tools for building community and exploring themes such as dignity, solidarity and healing - both personal and social. Last year, the artist unveiled his new project 'Prologue To A Blade', a precursor to a larger project. The EP features three tracks recorded in Palestine, including a 'Sounds of Places' residency in Bethlehem, where he collaborated with local artists, pianist Sami El-Enanym and qanoun master Laith Albandak. Pieces such as 'Cremisan' and 'Honeycomb' are poignant compositions that sonically and emotionally reflect the artist's experience of places full of history and pain. In his own words: "I went where I was afraid to be in order to understand the music coming from these places - both in the world and inside me."

The project is also accompanied by DePlume's debut book of poetry, Looking For My Value: Prologue To A Blade. It is a collection of personal poems about human value, healing and self-responsibility. The whole book is enclosed in an elegant edition, designed by London-based artists. DePlume is known for his unconventional approach to music - both when recording and performing live. His creative process is based on spontaneity and collaboration with other artists. In recording sessions, he relies on a lack of preparation and listening to each other, which gives his songs a unique character.

The artist has been winning critical and public acclaim for years. His album GOLD (2022), recorded at the legendary Total Refreshment Centre, was hailed as one of the most important releases of the year. DePlume's compositions have featured in projects by artists such as Bon Iver and Kendrick Lamar, and his concerts are often described as spiritual experiences that engage both heart and mind.