Record Reviews

JACEK NIEDZIELA-MEIRA ~ PARTYTURISM SJ 050 (Barcode: 5902596066604) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1997 - 2019 Released: 2020 This 2CD album includes two albums by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Jacek Niedziela-MeiraFind albums by this artist, recorded twenty two years apart. The first CD presents the new album "Sketches For Bass And OrchestraFind albums with this title", recorded in 2019 with pianist Wojciech NiedzielaFind albums by this artist and drummer Marcin JahrFind albums by this artist and the Polish Sinfonia Iuventus OrchestraFind albums by this artist. The second CD presents a reissue of the 1997 album "Sceny Z MacondoFind albums with this title", recorded by the same trio plus saxophonist Piotr BaronFind albums by this artist and the IFR Chamber OrchestraFind albums by this artist. This pairing makes perfect sense as the music offers somewhat similar stylistic character and ambience and brings back to life the older album, which has been unavailable for a long time and deserves to be heard again. Following are my liner notes written for the "Sketches For Bass And Orchestra" album, which generally apply to the older album as well. Musicians have been crossing swords between Classical Music and Jazz for ages, which is hardly surprising. After all many Jazz musicians / composers often originate from Classical Music education, and some Classical musicians are curious or even genuinely interested in Jazz, the freedom it offers and its elusive element of improvisation. The result of such amalgams vary dramatically, producing over time some brilliant pieces of Art, but sadly more often than not a whole bunch of schmaltzy kitsch. To be able to find the thin line that connects these two seemingly incompatible idioms is indeed an Art in itself. The music presented on this album, which was composed, orchestrated, conducted and performed by bassist / composer / author / educator Jacek Niedziela-Meira is not only able to illustrate the ability to magically combine the two idioms, but also demonstrates the incredible diversity of the Polish Jazz scene, which by the turn of the Millennium became a fountain of youth as far as Polish Culture is concerned. Of course the seeds were secretly planted during the dark days behind the Iron Curtain, but the incredible explosion of talent occurred when Poland regained its Freedom and the new generation of Polish Jazz musicians, faithfully educated by the bearers of the torch, Jacek Niedziela-Meira among them, took over the stage. The continuous, almost forty minutes long piece of music, which involves a classic piano trio, bass soloing and orchestral parts, is based on highly melodic themes, intertwined, meshed and weaved into a coherent fabric, which flows swiftly and completely naturally changes moods and ambiences. The solo bass parts often introduce the themes, which are then picked up and expanded by the orchestra and then suddenly, but almost expectedly, switch into swinging piano trio or solo bass parts, those in turn falling back into the orchestral setting. All of the above are not only brilliantly conceived but also exquisitely executed, with obvious panache and elegance, but above all good taste and clear aesthetic vision. This music is not specifically targeted for any genre oriented audience. It can and most probably will delight listeners, who simply love good music, regardless of its idiomatic associations. One can only hope this reaches as many appreciative people, who are able to tell great music from rubbish, as possible. Thank you Jacek for undertaking this mammoth task! Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 22/08/2020Posted: 22/08/2020

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