Record Reviews

ANTYKWINTET ~ ANTYKWINTET (SWINGING TRICITY VOL.3) SOLITON 231 (Barcode: 5901571092317) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 - 1980 Released: 2012 This is the third installment in the excellent archival series documenting Polish Jazz created in the country´s Tricity on the Baltic Sea, one of the important centers where Polish Jazz thrives and over the years produced numerous first-rate musicians and superb bands. The series presents material, which in most cases never previously appeared in any form and therefore is of immense historic importance. This chapter presents the AntykwintetFind albums by this artist ensemble, which was a relatively short lived quartet / quintet founded in 1978 and active for about four years, but unfortunately never managed to record even one album under their name, which sadly was the fate of many Polish Jazz artists during the Socialist regime. However they did participate three times (1978, 1979 & 1980) in the Jazz Nad Odra festival in Wroclaw, where all of the material on this album comes from. Antykwintet was founded by pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist and flautist Antoni SliwaFind albums by this artist (who´s siblings played with two other ensembles documented by this series: BasztaFind albums by this artist and Rama 111Find albums by this artist). The initial quartet also included bassist Lech WielebaFind albums by this artist and drummer Jozef EliaszFind albums by this artist. That quartet also included percussionist Piotr SapiejaFind albums by this artist as a guest musician. Later on the quartet was expanded to a quintet with the addition of trumpeter Mariusz StopnickiFind albums by this artist and Eliasz was replaced by Marian SzarmachFind albums by this artist. The music includes seven compositions, six of which are originals by Kulakowski and one is by American guitarist Barney KesselFind albums by this artist, all recorded live as mentioned earlier. The sound quality is not great, but remastered it is certainly good enough to be enjoyed. The live setting allows for expanded treatments of the compositions, four of which are over ten minutes and one over seventeen minutes long. This means there are ample opportunities to hear long solos, mostly by the pianists (on both acoustic and electric piano) and the flautists. Since the flute is sadly rarely used as the front solo instrument in Jazz, this album should be greatly interesting to flute aficionados. The quintet with the trumpet / flute front line is also very unusual, almost unique in fact, which is another interesting aspect of this album. The music is modern mainstream, not revolutionary but certainly interesting and quite innovative at the time. The live setting again allows for a lot of freedom, especially during the extended solos, which, assuming the ensemble would have continued together might have developed into more imaginative pastures, but alas we´ll never know. In any case this is certainly worth revisiting some thirty plus years later. This is another great piece of Polish Jazz history, which should definitely be told and preserved as part of the country´s Cultural Heritage. Kudos to Marcin JacobsonFind albums by this artist for creating this series and keeping it going!

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KAROLINA KOWALCZEWSKA ~ CHIARA NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Karolina KowalczewskaFind albums by this artist, recorded with a core trio consisting of bassist Maurizio RolliFind albums by this artist and drummer Jozef EliashFind albums by this artist, which is joined on various tracks by saxophonists Mariusz MielcarekFind albums by this artist, Adam WendtFind albums by this artist and Michal KobojekFind albums by this artist, a couple of vocalists, a violinist, a choir and even a symphonic orchestra (sampled mind you) arranged by Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist on the opening track. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Kowalczewska, with one of them being repeated twice as the opening and closing track. Kowalczewska is clearly flirting with both the Classical and Jazz idioms, a perilous game, which is rarely very successful. The music ranges from forms like a concerto for orchestra and sax, via a choir psalm and saxophone trio (with a lot of almost free blowing) which slowly degrades to a bluesy ballad in which the trio supports a lengthy saxophone solo, a series of mainstream quartet pieces, three vocal tracks and a sax quartet to round things up: altogether an unimpressive hodgepodge of musical ditties lacking any coherence or sense of direction. Yes there are some nice melodic themes and nice sax solos but in all honesty there is nothing here which deserves special attention or something that wasn´t played endless times before at best and at it´s worst moments this albums sounds like a junior high school band, completely amateurish. I am truly sorry but this stuff is really embarrassing and releasing this material for the world to hear is a major misjudgment of quality, which should be avoided at all cost.

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KULAKOWSKI / SIKALA ~ RED ICE SOLITON 662 (Barcode: 5901571096629) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by a duo of two veteran Polish Jazz musicians, pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Maciej SikalaFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, all by Kulakowski. Kulakowski is a versatile and highly imaginative composer and his music always reflects the Polish Jazz lyricism at its best, as echoed by his extended recording legacy. But on this excellent recording his composition are padded and extended by the improvised contribution of Sikala, who turns out to be an ideal partner in this intimate encounter, adding not only his soprano saxophone virtuosity but also his own layer of melancholy and lyricism. The combined result is deeply moving and instantly becomes another exquisite instance of my favorite "Art of the Duo" idiom. The music is beautifully melodic, and yet offers rich and often quite complex chord structures, which never stop to amaze with their ingenuity, but remain wonderfully coherent. As such it is an ideal vehicle for the improvised contributions, which are natural extensions of the basic melody lines. Sikala does an absolutely amazing work here, not only as a player / improviser, but more importantly as a co-composer of sorts, since his improvisations often add an additional melody line of its own, The intimate atmosphere of the duo, which in these circumstances bridges between the classic Jazz idiom and the minimalism of chamber Classical Music, becomes completely full and perfectly rounded, proudly standing on its own. I dare to suggest that this music performed by a larger lineup would have probably lost much of its charm in comparison to these intimate versions. On this album Kulakowski leaves most of the soloing to Sikala, but the few soli he does play here make me smile, longing for a long awaited solo piano album by the Maestro. Overall this is a brilliant Jazz album, which offers highly rewarding listening experience on many different levels; lovers of Jazz duo albums, fans of both of these excellent musicians, Polish Jazz enthusiasts and Jazz connoisseurs all over the world, all should be equally satisfied with what this album has to offer. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 23/01/2020Posted: 23/01/2020

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ BEAUTIFUL JAZZY OPERA SOLITON 1338 (Barcode: 5903684233380) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is a live album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer / educator Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded with a classic piano trio with bassist Adam ZuchowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist, a large orchestra Sinfonia Baltica PhilharmonicFind albums by this artist conducted by Tadeusz WicherekFind albums by this artist, and two opera singers: soprano Anna FabrelloFind albums by this artist and tenor Lukasz ZaleskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, which are Jazzy arrangements by Kulakowski of operatic pieces by Polish composer Stanislaw MoniuszkoFind albums by this artist, Italian composer Giacomo PucciniFind albums by this artist, French composer Georges BizetFind albums by this artist and a couple of other pieces. Obviously the music is a Jazz-Classical Fusion attempt to combine the two genres, which is rather unusual, as such projects rarely tackle operatic music. The contrast between the two genres is not easy to achieve, since the arias do not allow much space for improvisation, and as a result the music offers something of a “two for the price one” show, which do not always go hand in hand. Kulakowski is without a doubt one of the best Polish Jazz pianists, and his improvisations in the piano trio format, or with the orchestral accompaniment, are all perfectly executed, but when the vocal parts take over the central stage, the Jazz element is almost completely lost. This does not mean of course that the album is not a great fun to listen to, but the listener has to be prepared to accept this dichotomy. Personally, I had no problem whatsoever with this format, being a music lover of all shapes and shades, but I can imagine some people objecting. Overall, this is a bold effort to place Jazz and Opera together on one stage, but without integrating them to closely. It offers an opportunity to hear some great Jazz piano playing by Kulakowski, interesting orchestral arrangements and a few operatic arias beautifully sung by the soloists. A musical feast by all means, but probably not for everybody.

Updated: 04/04/2024Posted: 04/04/2024

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ CANTABILE IN G-MINOR MULTIKULTI MPJ 004 (Barcode: 5907529223642) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2011 This is an album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with celebrated American trumpeter Eddie HendersonFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist and veteran drummer Jacek PelcFind albums by this artist. The album comprises of ten original compositions, all by Kulakowski. The music was recorded in 2006 but released only in 2011. The music is set well within the mainstream Jazz boundaries, with clear melodic themes and pretty straightforward improvisations, all very well performed by the quartet members, but hardly innovative or challenging. Kulakowski is a very skilled weaver of melodies, and his slow melancholic themes are usually more moving than the mid to up-tempo numbers. All the players are of course very experienced performers and the overall level of personal output is excellent. Piotr Kulakowski plays some beautiful bass riffs and holds the quartet together and Pelc is always doing what is expected of him in every situation. Leszek Kulakowski is a charmer, as usual, and his delicate piano chords and solo parts are heartwarming. Henderson, after playing Funk and Jazz-Rock Fusion for many years, is back as a Post-bop player, doing a splendid job both on trumpet and Flugelhorn. However, in comparison to many Polish Jazz trumpeters, who appeared on the scene in recent years, his performances quite honestly a bit pale as to what one might expect. All in all this is a fine mainstream album, which many Jazz fans should be able to enjoy and one that is definitely worth discovering. Perhaps not the strongest statement by Kulakowski to date, but this is definitely a valuable component of his splendid legacy so far.

Updated: 15/11/2019Posted:

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ CHOPIN IMPRESSIONS SOLITON 768 (Barcode: 5901571097688) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader / educator Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with Polish rhythm section: bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist (Leszek´s son) and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist and with Swedish saxophonist Mikael GodeeFind albums by this artist and percussionist Ebba WesterbergFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eight compositions by the Polish Classical composer Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist, arranged for a Jazz quintet by Kulakowski and Godee, each contributing four arrangements. Over the years Chopin inspired Polish Jazz musicians very often and the number of Jazz albums based on Chopin´s music is truly abundant. Kulakowski visited Chopin´s music several times throughout his recording career, but obviously his fascination with the essence of Polish music, which Chopin represents more than any other Polish composer, refuses to let go. This album presents a more gentle and reflective approach to Chopin´s music than Kulakowski´s earlier recordings. The intrinsic melancholy dominates the proceedings and the minimalistic and delicate touches of the keyboard are the most essential and enjoyable moments this music offers. The saxophone parts are mostly straightforward leaving the centre stage as far as improvisation is concerned to the piano. The soprano saxophone sounds a bit like flute at times. The rhythm section does a beautiful job filling the blanks and keeping the pulse of the music clear and steady. The percussion parts are mostly decorative and are typically heard on the up-tempo pieces. Overall this is a fine album, which should make the many connoisseurs of Jazzed up version of Chopin´s music very happy, especially since it includes some of the most well known pieces composed by Chopin. It is made with obvious love of the subject matter and profound dedication and is a true joy to listen to.

Updated: 16/01/2018Posted: 16/01/2018

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ CODE NUMBERS MUSIC VOX ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is a wonderful piano trio album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist with bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Krzysztof GradziukFind albums by this artist (of RGGFind albums by this artist fame). The album presents thirteen original compositions, all by Kulakowski, some quite short, like outlines if a musical idea which is repeated four times, others lengthy and expanded with elaborate improvisations. The album was recorded at the Studio Tokarnia and was engineered and mastered by Jan SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, as usual with spectacular sonic results. Kulakowski is a musician of many diverse preferences, moving between the pure Jazz idiom and Jazz-Classical Fusion, feeling comfortably in both situations. Although this album presents him in seemingly "pure" Jazziness, both his playing and his compositions always incorporate a certain element of contemporary Classical music, even if not stated openly. He is a master of melody, but also of atmosphere and suspense, which keeps the listener in a state of anticipation. Personally I find this ability quite remarkable as it emerges in Kulakowski´s work with such intensity for the first time since the works of Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, the Godfather of Polish Jazz, were created in the late 1960s. The music also champions the typical Polish lyricism and intrinsic melancholy, which although omnipresent in Polish Jazz, are rarely revealed with such exquisiteness and compassion, as in the music presented here. The performances are all quite brilliant, with the piano often performing without accompaniment, and when the whole trio is present, the rhythm section often takes a deliberate step back, respectfully keeping the piano in the spotlight. Of course when the rhythm section does step in full swing, the musicians sound like one coherent unit. Gradziuk displays his usual virtuosic, yet reserved ability to keep time in a most inspired way and even is his solo tries not to outshine his colleagues. The bassist also performs wonderfully, providing those magnificent riffs that keep the anticipation in the air. The whole thing is simply brilliant. This music should be heard by every piano trio connoisseur on this planet, as it is definitely has to offer many novel ideas and deeply moving music, which deserves to be discovered and shared. Not to be missed!

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ COPY & INSERT SOLITON 733 (Barcode: 5901571097336) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is a live album by veteran Polish Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader / educator Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist recorded in a classic quintet setting with American (resident in Vienna) saxophonist Andy MiddletonFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jerzy MalekFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist (Leszek´s son) and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist. Together they perform six original compositions, all by Leszek Kulakowski. The sound quality of the live recording is excellent. The music is all within the boundaries of contemporary modern mainstream Jazz, with melody based compositions which serve as basis for the quintet to carry the tunes in orderly manner and present individual solos. Kulakowski is a superb composer and his elegant tunes sound as if they originate from a collection of standards, but in fact are his originals. The performances are all spotless of course, as expected from these highly experienced and talented musicians. Middleton, who is also an educator, same as Kulakowski, has a wonderful tone and elegant flow, and his solos are a true delight. Malek is also a superb player and his phrasing is full of emotion and skill. Kulakowski is a very original pianist, who plays remarkably not only when soloing but also while accompanying his colleagues. Piotr Kulakowski is one of the best bassists on the crowded Polish Jazz scene and his pulsations are always right on the money. Sowinski is exactly the right drummer for this quintet, pushing the other players during the up-tempo numbers and gently paving the way during the ballads. In short a mainstream A-Team, which delivers nothing but the best. This album slaughters a few "holy cows", namely: "European musicians can´t swing", "Those who can´t play teach" and other popular misconceptions. Any true Jazz lover listening to this album should be completely satisfied in every respect. Side Note: Since a few years, every December, Leszek Kulakowski, Andy Middleton and me meet in Katowice to serve as jury members of the International Jazz Composition Competition, held at the local Jazz Academy (together with Jerzy JarosikFind albums by this artist, the head of the Jazz Department of the Academy and our host, and fantastic trumpeter / educator Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist). Over the years we not only forged a wonderful friendship between ourselves, discussed music and life for endless hours and of course managed to consume many a gallon of beer, vodka and eventually anything that is humanly drinkable. Who says Jazz is not a platform of friendship ;)

Updated: 12/01/2018Posted: 12/01/2018

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ KOMEDA VARIATIONS FOR TUNE 0148 (Barcode: 5906395808632) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is an album by veteran Polish pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist. It presents a live concert recording of Kulakowski´s arrangements of film music by the Godfather of Polish Jazz, Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist, for a Symphony Orchestra. These arrangements were originally written by Kulakowski in 2001 and performed the same year by the Lodz PhilharmonicFind albums by this artist with the participation of the brilliant Polish Jazz trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist as a soloist. Almost twenty years later the concert was repeated and recorded, this time with slightly changed arrangements featuring a Jazz quartet with Kulakowski on piano, bassist Adam KowalewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist, and the sadly departed Stanko replaced by three trumpeters: Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist and German Christoph TitzFind albums by this artist, playing with the Sinfonia BalticaFind albums by this artist Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Radoslaw DronFind albums by this artist. The genius film music by Komeda is of course a wonderful subject matter, and in Kulakowski´s hands (or rather mind) it metamorphoses into its Classical form gracefully and "willingly", proving the greatness of both the composer and the arranger. The transformation sounds absolutely naturally and manages to bring to light many aspects of the original compositions, which often remain hidden in their Jazz interpretations. Although the arrangements may appear bold and "invasive" in some ways, they are absolutely justified and artistically coherent. The performances are also absolutely brilliant from start to finish. The balance between the orchestra and the quartet is perfect all along the way and the focus on the trumpet soli is holding the internal tension and creates a superb continuity, which keeps the listener mesmerized. Having three trumpeters, each with his idiosyncratic approach, adds another layer of diversity to the entire project. Kulakowski spices the proceedings with his superb piano solos, full of delicate touches and melancholic twists. It is a well known fact that Komeda´s music has been abused and mistreated many times by Polish Jazz musicians, thinking that by playing his music they would be automatically immune from criticism. It gives me a great joy to see (and hear) Komeda treated with respect and love, and mastery and imagination, which he truly deserves, like in this case. Overall this album is an instant classic, a must have by Polish Jazz fans and Komeda admirers all over the world and a sublime example of Polish / European Jazz ingenuity, which does hesitate to reach boldly beyond the obvious. Well done my Friend!

Updated: 22/12/2020Posted: 22/12/2020

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ LOOKING AHEAD FOR TUNE 0043 (Barcode: 5902768701524) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 In the last few years preceding the release of this album celebrated Polish Jazz pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist concentrated on producing large orchestral works, which had either no direct connection to Jazz while pushing the boundaries of contemporary Classical idiom or floated somewhere within the Jazz-Classical Fusion, combining the two genres. Therefore this album comes as most welcome return to his Jazz roots. Recorded in a sextet setting with German trumpeter Christoph TitzFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tomasz GrzegorskiFind albums by this artist, cellist Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist, the album presents nine original compositions, all by Leszek Kulakowski. Kulakowski was always first and foremost a superb song-weaver, which is very evident on this album from start to finish. The various melodies are the deepest root of this music, which then gets expanded into the modern mainstream language, floating gently and elegantly from one tune to another, caressed and pampered on its way by the musicians, who add their individual touches. There is plenty of freedom and breathing space within this music to inspire a relaxed, moderate approach by the players, which proves to be ideal in this context. Of course certain traces of Classical compositional tricks and arrangement devices can be picked up by the experienced listeners. The overall atmosphere of this recording is reminiscent of the Scandinavian sound, more so than to the usual Polish Jazz recordings. A certain ECM-ism can also be detected. The individual contributions by its participants are another forte of this album; everybody´s playing sounds truly inspired here. Titz is a wonderful trumpeter, who somehow never really gets the credit for his work that he usually deserves. His performances on this albums rank among his best work done on record, and although his phrasing derives from other great European trumpet Masters, his deep lyricism and feel are uniquely his own. The most surprising and at the same time impressive soloist on this album is the young cellist Krzysztof Lenczowski, whose name pops up on the local scene with a feverish frequency and in some most unexpected places, in addition to his regular work with the Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist. Kulakowski relays on his solo parts in several of the compositions presented here, and his decision to engage Lenczowski in this project pays off splendidly. Grzegorski and Kulakowski also play some excellent solos in the various tunes, which perhaps are less spectacular but no less expressive and supportive in the common effort invested to create this music. The rhythm section is extremely supportive throughout and plays with precision and sensitivity, exactly when and as needed. In many respects this is probably the most "conventional" album released by the For TuneFind albums on this label label so far and it´s good to see that the people running the label have no preconceptions overshadowing their judgment and recognize great music even if it is decently (but not to conservatively) dressed. It´s good to see Kulakowski playing and composing Jazz again, especially when the music is as good as what we can hear on this album. Chapeau bas indeed!

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ LOVE SONGS NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is a beautiful album by Polish pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist, who shows herein yet another facet of his multitalented persona, this time as a songwriter. The album presents ten songs composed and arranged by Kulakowski to the lyrics by Polish poet Zbigniew KsiazekFind albums by this artist, all of them being love songs in the good old meaning of the idiom. The songs are performed by vocalist Joanna KnitterFind albums by this artist, accompanied by a classic piano trio with Leszek Kulakowski at the piano, his son Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist, who plays bass and drummer Tomasz SowinskiFind albums by this artist, and by the Progress Chamber OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Tomasz GrzegorskiFind albums by this artist and guitarist Maciej GrzywaczFind albums by this artist guest on a couple of tracks. The music is everything one might expect from nontrivial love songs: exquisite melodies, sophisticated harmonies, unforeseen twists and highly developed swing, which keeps the songs flowing one after another, arriving at the album´s last song way sooner that one might expect. Combined with the intelligent lyrics and vigorous execution, these songs are a true delight. Of course these songs have very little to do with contemporary popular music, which of course is meant as a compliment. They belong to the era when songs had a melody, a message and some aesthetic values, in short the era when all great Jazz standards were written. In many respects these songs belong to the same "standards" category, and the fact they are new and unknown only make things more interesting, as any new material of such quality is truly scarce these days. As far as Polish Jazz is concerned, these songs continue the tradition of Jazz & Poetry, which flourished in the 1960s, and are a warm reminder of those days as well as a most welcome continuation of that tradition. Kulakowski turns out to be a romantic at heart, which is perhaps one more good reason why I like him so much both as a musician and a human being and honored to be his friend. Overall this is an inspired collection of beautiful love songs, excellently executed by all participants, which creates moments of blessed tranquility and joy, which help the listener to survive the hellish barrage of noise which passes for music in the world we now live in.

Updated: 30/03/2017Posted: 30/03/2017

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ PIANO CONCERTO / SKETCHES FOR JAZZ TRIO & SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA DUX 0387 (Barcode: 5902547003870) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 Polish pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist is undoubtedly one of his country´s most idiosyncratic musical personalities, spearheading and representing the continuous love affair between Jazz and Classical music in his country. Considering the fact that most Polish Jazz musicians are graduates of musical academic institutions, some of them with Classical as well as Jazz studies behind them, it is hardly surprising that the amalgamation of these two genres happens quite often on the Polish scene. Some Polish Jazz musicians play their interpretations of Classical compositions, most often those by the Polish pianist / composer Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist; others utilize Classical music methods, devices and techniques in their Jazz compositions; and yet others compose large scale compositions, often involving entire symphonic orchestras, like the music by Kulakowski included herein. This album includes two separate works by Kulakowski, both involving piano and a symphony orchestra: his "Piano Concerto" and the "Sketches For Jazz Trio & Symphony Orchestra". The piano concerto is performed by his brother Bogdan KulakowskiFind albums by this artist as the soloist and the sketches are performed by a piano trio, this time with the composer in the piano chair, with bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Jacek PelcFind albums by this artist. Both works are performed with the Baltic Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist in Gdansk conducted by Szymon BywalecFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live at the Baltic Philharmonic in Gdansk during the Komeda Jazz Festival. Although this is by far not the first attempt of its kind to merge Jazz and Classical music, the music on this album is quite surprising, principally as far as the attempt to create a bona fide Classical composition, especially in the case of the piano concerto, rather than a more "entertaining" mixture of the genres, which could be much more accessible to the average listener. There have been very few attempts to compose a piano concerto, soaked with Jazz undertones and yet so typically Classical in approach and structure. The obvious example of George GershwinFind albums by this artist´s "Piano Concerto in F" (and his other works) comes to mind immediately, not suggesting any direct links between these works, but as a point of reference. The composer seems certainly to be able to create a fully organic, although stylistically retrograde, piece of Classical music, which is moving and aesthetically fulfilling. The Jazz citations, chords and references will be of course more obvious to listeners with a Jazz background rather than to those with a strict Classical one, but both should be able to immensely enjoy the music. The sketches are definitely more "entertaining", with easily recognizable melody lines and fine lyrical atmosphere, lush string accompaniment and nice orchestral "outbursts" always in the right places. This is an elegant and intelligent piece of music, and although less original than the piano concerto, it has its own merits, especially the wonderful balance and integration between the trio and the orchestra, which is usually the weakest link of this type of musical encounters. The performances are quite excellent, both those by the soloists and by the orchestra. The live recording is somewhat mushy and lacking definition, but mostly well balanced, but that is a matter for fineschmeckers to deliberate upon; most listeners should be utterly satisfied with the sonic quality, on top of their admiration of the musical contents. This album is an excellent testimony as to the versatility, quality and artistic ability of the Polish Jazz scene, which has truly very little competition elsewhere. Of course it is another superb addition to the musical legacy of Leszek Kulakowski, who is surely about to take all his admirers by surprise again sometime in the near future. Kudos Maestro!

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ SLAP & CARESS MUSIC VOX 001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005 This is an excellent quartet recording by the Polish pianist / composer / educator Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist with the superb veteran vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr KulakowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Jacek PelcFind albums by this artist. The album includes nine original compositions, all by Leszek Kulakowski. Kulakowski is recognized as one of the most respected Polish Jazz musicians, with many achievements as a leader of his own ensembles, composer of Jazz and Jazz-Classical Fusion pieces and distinguished Jazz educator since many years. This album presents just one of his diverse activities in the field, i.e. small ensemble Jazz. The piano / vibraphone quartet, a sadly neglected lineup, opens up many possibilities of expression, which would be otherwise unattainable and Kulakowski makes the best out of this opportunity. The keyboards / vibraphone dialogue is the focal point of this music, which allows the melodic themes to be separately developed by both players simultaneously. The excellent rhythm section supports the soloists sympathetically and elegantly, maintaining the delicate balance between the foreground and the background. Overall the performances are first-rate and the level of professionalism is amazing, as expected. But of course the real forte of this album is the superb level of the compositions, which are all simply stunning. Kulakowski manages to construct his own language, which encompasses elements of Jazz and contemporary Classical idioms, even if those are somewhat hidden beneath the surface. These are hardly the average ditties, which often appear on Jazz albums only to disappear into obscurity soon after. They all have a character and maintain a level of intellectual curiosity, which deserves all praise. Kulakowski is often associated with the Polish Jazz legend Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist in many contexts. Although his compositions are not directly derived from Komeda´s legacy, they show the same conciseness and ability to condense a deeply emotional musical message into a seemingly simply melodic theme. And of course Komeda also had a vibraphonist in his early groups – the legendary Jerzy MilianFind albums by this artist. Capish? So here we have a beautiful mainstream Jazz album, which is full of great music, excellent performances and sophisticated, delicate scents of European Jazz at its best. Who can ask for anything else in these circumstances? Oh well, a bottle of good wine would be nice…

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI ~ WITKACY NARKOTYKI SOLITON 1227 (Barcode: 5903684232277) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is an album by Polish pianist / composer Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist, which presents a live recording of a spectacle, featuring music composed by Kulakowski and texts written by the Polish writer / poet / painter WitkacyFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Stanislaw Ignacy WitkiewiczFind albums by this artist). The participants comprise of Kulakowski, who plays electronic keyboards rather than piano, vocalist Jorgos SkoliasFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Tomasz DabrowskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marcin WadolowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Konrad ZolnierekFind albums by this artist, drummer Sebastian FrankiewiczFind albums by this artist and actor Jerzy KarnickiFind albums by this artist, who narrates the texts. The album presents seven tracks and is beautifully packaged with an informative booklet, which also includes all the texts, as well as Witkacy’s paintings. Witkacy’s literary / philosophical / artistic heritage remains to be controversial and more often than not misinterpreted since the day it was conceived and published, and the state of affairs did not change much during the last century. Many of the subjects touched upon by Witkacy in his works, like sex, drugs and social relationships remain a taboo in Poland to this very day, despite the superficial openness and modernism. Therefore, his artistry is often treated as scandalous and sensational, rather than prophetic and educational. This is not the first attempt to interpret Witkacy’s “aura” within the Polish Jazz setting of course. In the mid-1980s iconic Polish trumpeter / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist made a groundbreaking recording inspired by Witkacy’s legacy, which also related to the subject of drugs, which of course was a household issue among many Jazz musicians, not only on the west side of the Iron Curtain. The trumpet duos between Stanko and Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist are certainly some of the Polish Jazz highlights of that period. Dabrowski’s parts on this album serve as a bridge between that momentous album and this new creation. But Kulakowski managed to create a completely new and original approach herein in every respect. The music is highly melodic, with clearly defined themes, the Funky, Fusion oriented rhythmic background makes the music sound contemporary and vigorous. The synthesizers suit this environment way better than acoustic piano, and Kulakowski certainly made the right choice here. Wadolowski’s guitar fits the scenario perfectly as well as the round and pulsating bass parts. But the greatest asset of this album are the vocal / vocalese parts by Skolias, who is as demonic and fascinating as only humanly possible. Overall, this is an important, courageous attempt to interpret Witkacy and his legacy, highly original and moving, and beautifully performed, especially considering the fact that this is a live recording, which offers a superb sound quality. Kulakowski never ceases to re-invent himself, and despite the fact that I know him and his music for so many years, he still manages to surprise me time after time. Hats off, Maestro!

Updated: 22/02/2022Posted: 22/02/2022

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LESZEK KULAKOWSKI / BIG BAND ~ KONCERT MONOGRAFICZNY NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is a live recording by the Big Band comprised of students of the Music Academy in Gdansk, directed by the Polish pianist / composer / educator Leszek KulakowskiFind albums by this artist, who teaches at this Academy. He also plays piano on some of the tracks. The album includes ten original compositions, all by Kulakowski, who also wrote the arrangements (I assume so, as that is not explicitly mentioned on the album´s cover), four of which include vocals and the rest are instrumentals. The Big Band is of course the pinnacle of Jazz and requires perfect discipline and vast experience to make it "click" at all, not to mention performing brilliantly. Therefore the fact that these kids are able to pull this off the way they do is truly amazing. Although obviously somewhat hesitant and far from clock-like perfection, the Big Bands performs the rather difficult and often complex music quite admirably, all things considered. Hats off to Leszek Kulakowski for undertaking such a challenging project. But as usual with Kulakowski´s music, the charm is hidden in the music itself, which is simply superb. Additionally the unusual arrangements, which are completely different from what one expects to hear in a Big Band setting, are a complete surprise. Closer to contemporary Classical or perhaps Third Stream Music (which on second thought is not surprising at al in Kulakowski´s case) these arrangements are a beautiful example of what can be achieved with a Big Band. This is quite typical as far as European Big Bands are concerned, when the traditional American Big Band norms are rethought and refreshed, creating a new approach. Although somewhat naïve and beautifully imperfect, this is overall a great piece of music, which deserves to be heard and is far from a "school souvenir" to the graduates. Strongly recommended to Big Band fans but anybody who likes slightly "twisted" Jazz is most welcome!

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