Record Reviews

BIG BAND MALOPOLSKI ~ LIVE AT MLYN JAZZ FESTIVAL II HEVHETIA 0176 (Barcode: 8588005258210) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2018 During the recent HevhetiaFind albums on this label Showcase in Kosice I had the opportunity to talk at length to Ryszard KrawczukFind albums by this artist, the leader / conductor of the Big Band MalopolskiFind albums by this artist, one of the very few active Polish Jazz Big Bands. As usual the conversation revolved around the logistic / financial aspects of keeping a Big Band together these days – a complicated and frustrating task by any standard, and more often than not completely underappreciated. But with all hardships set aside, the Big Band Malopolski is a smooth and mean, well oiled music machine, which can easily look straight in the eye of any other European Jazz Big Band. The lineup of the Big Band, based partly on the students of the Academy of Music in Krakow, includes some of the best young and upcoming Polish Jazz players, like saxophonists Wojciech LichtanskiFind albums by this artist and Slawomir PezdaFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bartosz PernalFind albums by this artist and many others, who play along older and seasoned musicians. Guest artists are often invited to play and record with the Big Band. The current lineup includes also the vocalist / rapper / beat box performer Andy NinvalleFind albums by this artist, who spices up the Big Band´s performances with incredibly energetic and up to date glimmer. This, the Band´s second album, presents the current repertoire, which is a mixture of compositions by Polish Jazz veterans, like Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, Jan Ptaszyn WroblewskiFind albums by this artist and Marek BalataFind albums by this artist, American Jazz standard and a composition by the Italian saxophonist / composer Rosario GuilianiFind albums by this artist, all together six wonderful pieces of mainstream Jazz, superbly arranged and ideally suited to the Big Band environment. Polish Jazz vocalist Lora SzafranFind albums by this artist guests on one of the tracks. The performances are perfectly executed, with plenty of space for some excellent soloing and the above mentioned tasty beat box ornamentations, which were enthusiastically received by the audience during the concert I was happy to attend. Overall this is an excellent Jazz Big Band album, which should satisfy connoisseurs all over the world, especially in view of the fact that Big Band albums are a rarity these days, especially those that are able to keep this Art Form up to date. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 14/09/2019Posted: 14/09/2019

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend