Record Reviews

PIOTR WOJTASIK ~ TRIBUTE TO AKWARIUM INDYGO 001 (Barcode: 5907222872000) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is a sensational album by veteran Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist recorded with a large ensemble which comprises of some of Poland´s top Jazz musicians and a few guests from outside of Poland. In addition to the leader who plays trumpet and flugelhorn the other musicians are: trumpeter Sebastian SoldrzynskiFind albums by this artist, shakuhachi and other wind instruments player Igor PietraszewskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Viktor TothFind albums by this artist (Hungary) and Marcin KaletkaFind albums by this artist, keyboardists Leszek MozdzerFind albums by this artist and Dominik WaniaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Marek KadzielaFind albums by this artist, bassist Darek OleszkiewiczFind albums by this artist, drummer Eric AllenFind albums by this artist (USA resident in Poland) and percussionist Jakub MiarczynskiFind albums by this artist. Two female vocalists are featured on one of the tunes. The album presents a five part suite composed and arranged by Wojtasik and dedicated to the memory of the legendary Warsaw Jazz club Akwarium (active between 1977 and 2000), which used to be the Mecca of Polish Jazz in the past. A sixth bonus track is also included, which offers an alternate version of one of the suite´s parts. The music was recorded at the RecPublica Studios and engineered by Lukasz OlejarczykFind albums by this artist, who as usual stood up to the challenge. I recently had the opportunity to hear this music performed live at its premiere concert at the Silesian Jazz Festival in Katowice, with a slightly different lineup, and the impact of the music was truly astounding. This studio version is of course much tamer and orderly, so in some respects it sounds quite differently, but of course it is no less remarkable. Wojtasik managed to combine several sub-genres of the Jazz idiom into one coherent piece of music, which presents a kaleidoscope of modern Jazz, pointing to its many sources from Bebop through Jazz-Rock Fusion to electronics. Based on strong melodic themes but allowing a lot of freedom to the individual musicians to explore and probe, this is a wonderful example of modern Mainstream Jazz, which manages to be fascinating, unexpected and searching. The individual performances are all great, as expected from this level of musicians. Kadziela´s guitar parts are the nicest surprise as he manages to transform the last part of the suite into a modern day "Bitches BrewFind albums with this title" ambiance, which should make Miles DavisFind albums by this artist happily turn in his grave. Mozdzer´s synthesizer parts are somewhat tedious, especially in comparison to what Pawel TomaszewskiFind albums by this artist managed to come up with during the concert. Of course Dominik Wania plays some stunning piano parts and it is interesting to hear him in a large ensemble setting. But overall everybody plays their heart out and the result is simply superb. It is great to see (and hear) that Wojtasik is still in great shape as a player / composer / bandleader and as a friend I wish him many years of good health and creativity. He can certainly be proud of his achievement here and I look forward to hear more of his work soon. His blessed work as an educator at the Katowice Music Academy is of course no less important, but seeing him play is a true Jazz experience. Te old lion is still capable of a mighty roar, which the younger lions are happy to return. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 30/12/2017Posted: 30/12/2017

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PIOTR WOJTASIK ~ TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN INDYGO 002 (Barcode: 5907222872017) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2018 This is an album by the veteran Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader / educator Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, recorded by an international sextet, which features alongside Wojtasik also Hungarian saxophonist / flautist Viktor TothFind albums by this artist, Polish saxophonist Sylwester OstrowskiFind albums by this artist, Dutch bassist Joris TeepeFind albums by this artist and American (resident in Europe) pianist Bobby FewFind albums by this artist and drummer John BetschFind albums by this artist. The album, which was recorded in France, presents eight original compositions, all by Wojtasik. The music explores the roots of Jazz and stretches between Blues influenced early Jazz through familiar Bebop mainstream and towards more open / Free oriented music, but stays within well defined boundaries. The compositions are diverse and interesting, clearly showing Wojtasik as a mature and focused composer, who is able to weave nice melodic themes and expand them into a fully structured ensemble pieces. Both Wojtasik and Ostrowski consistently drift towards American Jazz and obviously prefer to play and record with American musicians, but they do it on an equal footing with the Americans, completely devoid of the inferiority complex that characterized whole generations of Polish Jazz musicians for decades. The music on this album clearly shows that they are able to stand shoulder to shoulder with their cohorts. The album is full of strong personal statements by all the participants, as appropriate for such endeavor, with the leader exploring his extensive arsenal of trumpet magic, moving with ease between raw and fully powered statements and delicate balladry. His unique and very personal style remains as one of the most distinctive voices of Polish Jazz trumpet, equaled by but a very few. Few is also a charmer with his highly idiosyncratic piano vistas, which can be heard all along the album´s duration and come to a climax in the short solo piano piece showcasing his abilities and dedicated to him by the leader / composer. The excellent rhythm section is a bastion of strength and stability which keeps the music in check and moving along the desired chronometry, completely at ease with whatever is required at each given moment. Joris gets also a solo spot in another short piece dedicated to him. An artistry of time and pulse… Overall this is an excellent album by any standard and although it offers contemporary Jazz of the American flavor, rather than European Jazz which one expects to hear from European Jazz musicians, it is perfectly executed, interesting and inspiring, full of great ideas and obviously highly engaging. Wojtasik deserves admiration and praise for consistency, which characterizes his entire career, and most importantly for doing his thing regardless of trends and fads of fashion. Keep swinging Maestro!

Updated: 09/11/2018Posted: 09/11/2018

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PIOTR WOJTASIK ~ VOICES INDYGO 003 (Barcode: 5907222872024) ~ POLAND ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2022 This is the third album by Polish Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader / educator Piotr WojtasikFind albums by this artist, released on his IndygoFind albums on this label Records label. The album was recorded with the Choir of the White Stork Synagogue in Wroclaw, conducted by Stanislaw RybarczykFind albums by this artist, vocalist Magdalena ZawartkoFind albums by this artist, harpist Julia ZiembinskaFind albums by this artist and the members of Wojtasik’s quintet: saxophonist Marcin KaletkaFind albums by this artist, pianist Michal TokajFind albums by this artist, bassist Michal BaranskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Kazimierz JonkiszFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions by Wojtasik, one co-composed with Sylwester OstrowskiFind albums by this artist. The music was superbly recorded at the RecPublica Studios and offers a sublime quality, balance and clarity of sound. The music reflects the deep sorrow and personal anguish of Wojtasik, which resulted from the tragic circumstances surrounding his life at the time. As such it is quite different from the “usual” mainstream Jazz, spiced with Gospel, that dominated his earlier recordings, and this time is absolutely drenched in melancholy and painful lyricism, showing a new facet of his musical identity. The use of the Choir is absolutely perfect for the music and the amalgamation of its sound into the fabric of the compositions is nothing short of perfection. The Jazzy aspects, as reflected by the soloing of the quintet members follow suit smoothly, with sympathetic echoing of the somber atmosphere. Wojtasik, Kaletka and Tokaj are highly experienced players and perform as expected, as is the brilliant rhythm section, which keeps everything in a clear framework. The biggest surprise of the album are actually the vocal contributions, both those by the Choir but even more so by Zawartko, who is simply sensationally brilliant. Since her arrival on the scene a few years ago, she never stops to amaze and her other recordings are all worth checking out. Overall, this is a beautiful album, full of melancholy and glumness, but nevertheless offering a moving aesthetic experience, beautiful melodies and heartfelt performances by all the participants. Hopefully making this album was, at least partly, a process of healing and time will do the rest to make things better. Wojtasik has never made a bad album in his life and this is a proof that he does not mean to lower his standards, come what may. My heart is with you my Friend!

Updated: 04/06/2022Posted: 04/06/2022

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