Free Balkan Quintet is a Prague-based ensemble that takes folk music from Bulgaria, Romania, Armenia, Greece and Moldova as its raw material, reshaping it through jazz, contemporary composition and free improvisation. Arrangements are crafted by banjoist Tomáš Mika and Australian accordionist Kieren Alexander, with Milan Jakeš on violin, Ondřej Komárek on double bass and Jaroslav Noga on drums. The group released its debut album Gankinos in 2017 and has since become a regular fixture on the Prague club and festival circuit.
Free Balkan Quintet performed at Jazz Dock on June 13, 2025; tickets were sold out.
In February 2025, the band played at The Jam club on Letna in Prague.
In October 2024, the band performed at an event of the Integration Center Prague at Rock Café together with Lovesong Orchestra and Balkan Party Band.
In June 2024, the band performed again at Jazz Dock.
